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HISTORY  OF  NORTH   CAROLINA 


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HISTORICAL   SKETCHES 


OF 


NORTH    CAROLINA 


From  1584  to  1851. 


COMPILED  FROM  ORIGINAL  RECORDS,  OFFICIAL  DOCUMENTS, 
AND  TRADITIONAL  STATEMENTS. 


WITH 


MANY  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  OF  HER  DISTINGUISHED 

STATESMEN,  JURISTS,  LAWYERS,  SOLDIERS, 

DIVINES,  ETC. 


BY 

i 

JOHN  H.  WHEELED, 

LATE  TREASURER  OF  THE  STATE. 

"Truth  is  stranger  than  Fiction." 
ILLUSTRATED    WITH    ENGRAVINGS. 

VOL.  I. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
LIPPINCOTT,    GRAM  BO    AND    CO 

RALEIGH,  N.  C. 
WILLIAM    L.    POMEROY. 

1851. 


History  inakcth  a  young  man  to  be  old,  without  either  wrinkles  or  gray  hairs  ;  privileging 
hiin  with  the  experience  of  age,  without  eitlier  the  infirmities  or  inconvenience  thereof. 

Fuller's  Holy  War. 

Ill  fares  it  with  a  State,  whose  history  is  written  by  others  than  her  o^vn  sods. 

Pkescott. 

The  archives  of  the  State,  and  the  desks  of  ancient  families,  now  bury  the  story  of  the  rise 
and  progress  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  :  ignorance  and  wickedness  may  misrepresent  the 
character  of  her  history,  if  efforts  are  not  made  to  break  away  the  darkness  that  surrounds  it. 
Such  are  the  inducements  of  this  publication. 

Jones. 

The  world  will  not  be  able  fully  to  understand  North  Carolina,  until  they  have  opened  the 
treasures  of  history,  and  become  familiar  with  the  doings  of  her  sons  previous  to  the  Revolu- 
tion, during  tliat  painful  struggle,  and  the  succeeding  years  of  prosperity.  Then  will  North 
Carolina  be  respected  as  she  is  known. 

FOOTE. 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1851,  by 

JOHN  H.  WHEELER, 

in  the  Office  of  the  Clerk  of  the  District  Court  in  and  for  the  Eastern  District  of 

Pennsylvania. 


PHILADELPHIA  : 
T.  K.  AND  P.  G.  COLLINS,  PRINTERS. 


% 


TO 

GEORGE    BANCROFT,    LL.  D., 

WHOSE  WRITINGS   HAVE  MARKED  THE  AGE  IN  WHICH  HE  LIVES,  AND  THE   ONLY  HISTORIAN 
WHO  HAS  DONE  JUSTICE  TO  NORTH  CAROLINA  ; 

TO 

PETER    FORCE, 


WHOSE  PATIENT  LABOR  AND  INDEFATIGABLE  RESEARCH  HAVE  PROVED  HER  EARLY 

.     PATRIOTISM  ; 

AND  TO 

DAVID    L.    SWAIN,    LL.D., 

WHOSE  NATIVE  WORTH,  WHOSE  SERVICES  AND  WHOSE  TALENTS,  ARE  ALIKE  HER  PRIDE  AND 

ORNAMENT ; 

T  0     T  II  E  S  E  , 

BY  WHOSE  COUNSEL  THESE  SKETCHES  HAVE  BEEN  UNDERTAKEN,  WHOSE  EXAMPLE  HAS 
ENCOURAGED,  AND  WHOSE  LABORS  HAVE  AIDED  \ 

AND  TO 

THE    YOUNG    MEN 

OF  THE 


«' 


THIS  WORK 

IS  RESPECTFULLY  DEDICATED. 


THE  FOLLOWING  OPINIONS  RELATIVE  TO  THE  MERITS 
OF  THIS  WORK  HAVE  BEEN  EXPRESSED. 


Extract  from  the  Report  of  the  Joint  Select  Committee  of  the  Library 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina,  at  the  last  session  (1851),  through 
Hon.  Wui.  H.  Washington  (Chairman),  Senator  from  Craven  County. 

"  The  Committee  cannot  but  regard  the  work  of  Col.  "Wheeler  as  a  patriotic 
and  praiseworthy  efi'ort  to  rescue  from  oblivion  important  facts  of  our  early 
history,  and  to  elevate  the  character  and  standing  of  his  native  State;  and, 
as  such,  would  cordially  recommend  it  to  the  favorable  consideration,  not 
only  of  the  legislature,  but  of  the  people  of  the  State  at  large." 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  Hon.  David  L.  Swain,  President  of  the  University  of 
North  Carolina,  to  Rev.  Francis  L.  ILnvks,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  of  New  York. 

"Chapel  Hill,  February  22,  1851. 
"The  Sketches  of  Col.  Wheeler,  in  relation  to  this  State,  contain  a  great 

amount  of  useful  and  minute  information,  chiefly  statistical  and  biograpliieal, 

connected  with  every  county  in  the  State." 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  Hon.  R.  M.  Pearson,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  North  Carolina. 

"  Raleigh,  March  1,  1851. 
"  I  have  had  a  conversation  with  the  other  two  Judges,  upon  the  subject 
of  the  Sketches  of  North  Carolina,  which  you  are  about  to  publish. 

"We  concur  in  thinking  that  such  a  work  will  be  highlj' interesting  to 
every  citizen  of  the  State  ;  useful  as  a  book  of  reference  ;  and  will  rescue  from 
oblivion  many  facts  that  ought  not  to  be  forgotten." 

Extract  from  a  letter  of  Hon.  George  Bancroft,  author  of  "History  of  the 

United  States." 

"  New  York,  March  15,  1851. 
"  I  look  forward  to  the  publication  of  your  work  with  great  interest,  in  the 
hope  that  you  may  fill  the  gap  in  the  history  of  your  patriotic  State." 

"  This  is  a  work  of  which  every  son  of  North  Carolina  ought  to  be  proud." 

Spirit  of  the  Age, 

Raleigh. 

"  This  work  will  be  valuable,  and  ought  to  be  in  the  hands  of  every  North 
Carolinian."  Patrioi, 

Greensboro'. 

"  Too  little  is  known  of  our  history.  When  the  important  information 
that  Col.  Wheeler  will  impart,  can  be  procured,  every  family  ought  to  own 
a  copy  of  this  work."  Mountain  Banner, 

Rutherfordton. 

'We  hesitate  not  to  say,  that  this  work  will  turn  out  one  of  the  most 
valuable  books  to  the  citizens  of  the  State  ever  yet  published." 

.  Watchman, 

Salisbury. 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS. 


SERIES    I. 

THE  COLONY  OP  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

CHAPTER  I. 

FKOM  1584  TO  1585. 

The  discovery  of  America  by  Columbus  in  1492,  under  the  auspices  of  Fer- 
dinand of  Spain — John  Cabot's  expedition  in  1490,  under  the  auspices  of 
Henry  VII. — The  first  expedition  to  the  United  States  in  1584,  under  the 
auspices  of  Sir  Walter  lialeigh,  which  landed  on  Roanoake  Island,  in 
North  Carolina. 

CHAPTER  II. 

FROM  1585  TO  1589. 

Second  expedition  under  Sir  Richard  Greenville  in  1585,  and  the  third  under 
the  same  in  1586 — The  fourth  under  Governor  White,  Governor  of  the  City 


of  Raleigh. 


CHAPTER  III. 

FROM  1589  TO  1653. 

Other  expeditions  unsuccessful,  and  Sir  Walter  assigns  his  patent  (1589) — 
Sketch  of  the  life,  character,  and  death  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  (1618) — Set- 
tlement of  the  colony  of  Virginia  under  Captain  John  Smith — Sketch  of 
the  life,  character,  and  services  of  John  Smith — His  rescue  by  Pocahontas, 
daughter  of  Powhatan — Her  life,  character,  and  services. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

FROM  1653  TO  1712. 

Permanent  settlement  of  North  Carolina — William  Drummond,  first  governor, 
in  1603,  a  Scotchman — Succeeded  by  Governor  Stephens  on  his  death, 
1067 — Who  was  succeeded  at  his  death  (1674)  by  Governor  Carteret,  whose 
deputy,  Miller,  acts  as  governor  during  the  absence  of  Carteret — Cul- 
pepper's insun-ection,  and  possession  of  the  government  by  him  in  1678 — 
Governor  Eastchurch  arrives  in  North  Carolina- — Culpepper  sent  for  trial 
to  England,  tried  and  acquitted — John  Harvey,  on  the  death  of  Eastchurch, 
governor  in  1080 — Governor  John  Jenkins  appointed,  who,  on  his  death, 
is  succeeded  by  Henry  Wilkinson  (Dec.  1681)  —  Seth  Sothel  appointed 
governor  in  1683 — His  character  and  life;  exiled  by  the  people  and  death — 
S  icceeded  by  Governor  Philip  Ludwell  (1689),  who  resided  most  of  his 
tinii.  in  Virginia — Constitution  formed  by  Locke  fur  North  Carolina  (1693) 
— Caioilna  divided  into  North  and  South   Carolina — Thomas  Smith    ap- 


X  CONTENTS. 

pointed  governor — On  his  advice,  John  Archdale,  "  the  Quaker  GoTernor," 
is  appointed  (1G94);  his  sagacious  and  prudent  administration  —  On 
his  return  to  England  (1C99)  Thomas  Harvey  governor — On  his  death 
in  1699,  Henderson  Walker  is  governor  —  On  his  death  (1704)  Robert 
Daniel  succeeds  as  governor— Difficulties  between  the  Church  of  England 
and  the  Dissenters — First  church  in  North  Carolina  (1705) — Fii'st  news- 
paper in  the  United  States  (1705) — Contest  between  Cary  and  Glover  ft  r 
the  government — Cary  prevails  —  Cary  sent  to  England  for  examination 
( 171 1) — Edward  Ilyde  governor  in  1712 — De  Graaffenreidt's  patent — Indian 
murders — Lawson,  first  historian  of  North  Carolina,  killed  by  the  Indians 
— Hyde  dies  with  yellow  fever  (1712)  and  George  Pollock  succeeds  him — 
First  emission  of  paper  money  in  North  Carolina. 

CHAPTER  y. 

FROM  1712  TO  1729. 

Charles  Eden  governor  (1713) — Tuscai-ora  Indians  humbled,  and  make  a 
treaty — Black  Beard,  the  pirate ;  his  life  and  death — Edenton  established 
— Eden'a  death  (1722) — Copy  of  his  tombstone — Thomas  Pollock  succeeds 
as  governor;  and,  in  1724,  on  his  death,  William  Reed,  as  President  of  the 
Council,  is  governor — In  1724  Governor  Burrinj;;ton  arrives — His  character 
— His  opinion  of  the  people  of  North  Carolina — Sir  Richard  Everhard 
appointed  governor,  1725 — Dividing  line  between  Virginia  and  North 
Carolina,  1727 — The  lords  nioprietorp  siirrender  to  the  crown,  pJuly  1729, 
except  Lord  Granville-  -I  opulation  and  divisions  of  the  colony  at  this  time 
— Portion  of  Lord  Granville. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

FROM  1729  TO  1754. 

North  Carolina  nnder  the  Royal  Governors — Governor  Eurrlngton,  1729 — Ilis 
character,  conduct,  life,  and  death  in  1734 — Nathaniel  Rice,  the  Secretary, 
governor  in  1734,  who  was  succeeded  by  Gabriel  Johnston,  as  governor — 
Line  between  North  and  South  Carolina  —  Computation  of  time  altered 
by  aot  of  Parliament  —  First  printing  press  in  North  Carolina,  1749 — 
Fort  Johnston  built — Moravians  purchase  land  in  North  Carolina — First 
revisal  of  the  laws  of  North  Carolina — Governor  Johnston,  after  being 
governor  for  twenty  years,  dies  (1752) — Hi"  life,  character,  and  services — 
He  is  succeeded,  for  a  time,  by  Nathaniel  Rice  ;  and,  on  his  death,  in  Janu- 
ary 1753,  by  Matthew  Rowan — Population  of  North  Carolina  in  1754 — 
Aid  sent  to  Virginia  against  the  French  by  North  Carolina. 

CHAPTER  VIL 

FROM  1754  TO  1765. 

Arthur  Dobbs,  governor  (1754)  —  His  conduct — His  officers — People  seize 
and  imprison  Lord  Granville's  agent — Courts  of  law  held  in  each  district, 
1702 — On  the  death  of  Dobbs  (1765)  Tryon  succeeds. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

FROM  1765  TO  1771. 

Tryon's  administration  from  April  1765  to  July  1771 — His  character — Early 
resistance  of  the  Mecklenburg  people — John  Ashe  and  the  Stamp  Act, 
1765 — Paper  seized — Conduct  of  the  people  of  New  Ilaaover,  1766 — Duel 
between  Captain  Simpson,  of  his  majesly's  sloop-of-war  the  Viper,  and 
Lieutenant  Whitechurst,  a  relative  of  Mrs.  Tryon,  in  which  Whitechurst 
is  killed — Suicide  of  Chief  Justice  Berry — Repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act — 
Palace  for  the  governor — A  description  ot  its  splendor — Regulation  troubles 


CONTENTS.  XI 

commence,  17G6— Herman  Husbands;  his  character  —  Colonel  Edmund 
Fanning,  of  Orange  ;  his  character — People  of  Anson  County  and  Rowan 
sympathize  with  the  Reguhitors — Tryon's  expedition  to  Mecklenburg  and 
Rowan — He  raises  a  body  of  troops,  and  marches  to  Hillsboro' — Fanning 
indicted  and  convicted — Husbands  indicted  and  acquitted  by  the  jury — 
Judge  Moore,  in  Rowan,  cannot  hold  court — Sheriff  of  Orange  resisted  by  the 
Regulators,  and  beaten — Sheriff  of  Dobbs  resisted,  and  one  of  his  deputies 
killed — Court  at  Hillsboro'  broke  up  by  the  Regulators — Judge  Henderson 
compelled  to  retreat — Fanning  and  John  AVilliams  beaten  by  the  Regulator.- 
— Governor  marches  against  the  Regulators  in  strong  force — Battle  of 
Alamance,  May  16, 1771 — Regulators  defeated — First  blood  of  the  colonists 
ehed  in  these  United  States  by  royal  troops — Tryon  marches  to  join  Wad- 
del,  as  far  as  Jersey  settlement,  in  Davidson — Tryon  returns  to  Hillsboro', 
where  court  is  held,  and  six  of  the  Regulators  are  hanged — Tryon  em- 
barks, June  30,  1771,  to  New  York,  to  which  colony  he  had  been  appointed 
governor. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

FROM  1771  TO  JULY  4,  1776. 

Administration  of  Josiah  Martin,  November  1771  to  1775 — Last  of  the  royal 
governors  in  North  Carolina — His  life  and  character — Parliamentary  usages 
of  "  the  olden  times" — The  powers  of  the  governor — "  A  king,  aye  every  inch 
a  king" — Difficulties  arise  between  the  governor  and  the  Assembly,  as  to  the 
attachment  laws  and  appointment  of  judges — Courts  of  law  closed — i''!:'st 
popular  Assembly  meets  at  Newbern,  on  the  25th  of  August,  1774 — John 
Ilarvey,  Moderator — Names  of  the  members — Its  resolves — It  adjourns  and 
another  is  called  in  April,  1775 — Governor  Martin  fulminates  a  proclama- 
tion against  "  such  disorder  and  anai'chy,"  March  1,  1775 — The  Colonial 
and  the  Popular  Assemblies  meet  at  the  same  time  and  place — "  Passage  of 
arms"  between  the  governor  and  the  Asseml)ly — The  governor,  in  his 
speech  to  the  Colonial  Assembly,  denounces  these  meetings  of  the  people, 
and  particularly  the  unwarrantable  appointment  of  delegates  to  attend  a 
Continental  Congress,  at  Philadelphia,  then  in  agitation,  as  highly  inju- 
rious and  "particularly  offensive  to  the  king" — The  Assembly  reply  that 
"  the  right  of  the  people  to  assemble  and  remonstrate  is  not  to  be  doubted," 
and  pass  resolutions  "approving  of  the  General  Congress  at  Philadelphia, 
to  assemble  September  4,  1774" — Whereupon,  Governor  Martin  dissolves 
the  Assembly — The  last  which  ever  sat  under  the  Royal  Government  in 
North  Carolina — Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence,  May  1775 — 
Governor  Martin  retreats  on  board  of  his  majesty's  ship-of-war  Cruiser,  in 
the  Cape  Fear  River;  and  the  royal  government  terminates  forever  ii. 
North  Carolina — Provincial  Congress  meets  at  Hillsboro',  August  1775 — 
Troops  raised  for  military  operations — Civil  government  exercised  by  a 
Provincial  Council — District  Committees  of  Safety ;  and  County  Com- 
mittees— Names  of  the  committee-men  in  each  district — Battle  of  i>Ioore's 
Creek,  in  New  Hanover  County,  February  27,  1776  —  Tories  defeated 
under  General  McDonald — Provincial  Congress  meets  at  Halifax,  April 
4th,  1776 — Names  of  members — Names  of  general,  field,  battalion,  and 
county  officers  —  This  body  instruct  their  delegates  in  the  Continental 
Congress,  in  April  1776,  to  vote  for  independence — Committees  of  safety 
appointed — Adjourned  on  the  14th  of  May,  1776 — Provincial  Council  of 
Safety  meets  at  Wilmington,  on  the  6th  of  June,  1776 — General  Ruther- 
ford, of  Rowan,  marches  with  one  thousand  nine  hundred  men,  against  the 
Overhill  Cherokees  (now  Tennessee),  reduces  them,  burns  their  towns. 
and  destroys  their  crops — Provincial  Council  of  Safety  meets  in  July,  at 
Halifax — The  national  Declaration  of  Independence  reaches  them  while 
iL  session — Their  proceedings,  and  some  account  of  the  first  celebration, 
in  North  Carolina,  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 


Xll  CONTENTS. 


SERIES    II. 

THE  STATE  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

CHAPTER  I. 

The  Constitution,  by  whom,  when,  and  where  formed — Congress  of  the  State 
meets  at  Halifax,  on  the  12th  of  November,  177G — names  of  the  members 
— Richard  Caswell,  President — Committee  appointed  to  form  a  Constitu- 
tion— Names  of  committee — Richard  Caswell  elected  governor,  and  the 
names  of  the  Council  of  State. 

CHAPTER  II. 

Life,  character,  services,  and  death  of  Richard  Caswell,  first  Governor  of 
North  Carolina,  under  the  Constitution. 

CHAPTER  III. 
State  of  Frankland,  its  rise,  progress,  and  fall. 

CHAPTER  lY. 

Governors  of  North  Carolina,  from  Richard  Caswell,  1776, 
to  David  S.  Reid,  1851. 

CHAPTER  V. 

Judiciary  of  North  Carolina — Its  history — Lives  and  characters  of  Martin 
Howard,  Chief  Justice ;  Maurice  Moore  :  and  Richard  Henderson  ;  Associate 
Judges,  under  the  royal  government — The  Judges  of  North  Carolina,  from 
1776  to  1851 — The  Attorney-Generals,  the  Secretaries  of  State,  the  Trea- 
surers of  State,  and  the  Comptrollers,  from  1776  to  1851 — These  statistics 
are  relieved  by  a  specimen  of  legal  wit  worthy  of  preservation. 

CHAPTER  YI. 

A  list  of  the  members  of  the  Continental  Congress  from  Noi-th  Carolina, 
before  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  (formed  at  Philadelphia,  in  May 
1787)  ;  and  a  list  of  the  Senators  and  Representatives  in  Congress,  from 
this  State,  from  1789  to  1851  ;  with  the  ratio  of  representation  for  each 
decade,  and  the  number  of  members  in  the  House — Present  Congressional 
districts  by  act  of  1846,  and  the  members  of  each. 

CHAPTER  YII. 

Press  of  North  Carolina,  from  1749  to  1851 — Account  of  some  of  the  editors, 
and  list  of  the  papers  now  published  in  North  Carolina  (1851). 

CHAPTER  YIIL 

Literary  institutions  of  North  Carolina— Their  history,  progress,  and  pre- 
sent condition— Queen's  Museum,  at  Charlotte,  17  <0— University,  incor- 
porated in  1789,  and  located  at  Chapel  Hill,  1792— Corner-stone  laid  in 


CONTENTS.  XIU 

October  179?- — Commenced  tuition,  1795 — Life  and  character  of  Dr.  Joseph 
Caldwell;  and  a  list  of  its  graduates  from  1798  to  1851 — Davidson  College, 
in  Mecklenburg  County,  commenced  in  1838 :  its  present  faculty  and 
alumni,  from  1840 — Wake  Forest  College,  in  Wake  County — Its  trustees 
and  faculty — Female  institutions,  common  schools,  and  Literary  Fund  of 
the  State. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Banks  of  North  Carolina — Railroads — Canals — Turnpike  and  plank  roads — 
Institution  for  deaf  and  dumb — State  hospital  for  Insane. 

CHAPTER  X. 

Resources  of  the  State,  her  liabilities,  and  her  expenses. 


CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE. 


Date.        English  Sovereigns. 

1492, 
Oct.  1! 
1584. 


Octri2.  i  ^^^^^^  ^'^^^* 


sabeth. 


1663.        Charles  II 


1678. 
1693. 
1705. 

1710. 
1729. 
1765. 
1771, 
1774, 
1775, 


Wm.  and  Mary 
Anne. 


George  I. 

George  III. 
May  16. 
August  25. 
May  20. 
June. 
June  17. 
August. 
December  9. 
February  27. 

August  27 - 

December"12. 
December  20. 
xVugust. 
January  3. 
September  11. 
October  4. 
October  7. 
June  28. 


1776, 

1777, 

1778, 

1770,  March  3 


1780, 


1781, 


1783, 

i7ar, 

1788, 
1789, 


June  20. 
Mav  12. 
June  22. 
Auo;ast  16. 
October  7. 
•January  17. 
March  15. 
September  8. 
October  19. 
January  20. 
September  3. 
May. 

July. 

Nov  "liber. 


Events. 

Columbus  discovers  America. 

Armidas  and  Barlow  approach  the  coast  of  N.  C.  • 

(  Charter  of  Charles  II.     William  Drummond,  Go- 
1      vernor  of  Carolina. 

John  Culpepper's  rebellion. 
,   Carolina  divided  into  North  and  South. 
First  church  in  North  Carolina. 
First  newspaper  in  the  United  States. 
Carey's  rebellion. 

Charter  of  Charles  II.  surrendered. 
Stamp  Act  passed. 
Battle  of  Alamance. 
Popular  Assembly  at  Newborn,  N.  C. 
Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence. 
General  Washington,  Commander-in-chief. 
Battle  of  Bunker  s  Hill. 
Koyal  governor  retreats.     ]\Iartin. 
Battle  of  Great  Bridge,  near  Norfolk,  Va. 
"        Moore's  Creek. 
"         Long  Island.' 
Constitution  of  North  Carolina  formed  at  Halifax. 
Battle  of  Trenton. 

Gen.  Rutherford  subdues  the  Cherokees, 
Battle  of  Princeton. 
"         Braudywine. 
"         Germantown. 
"         Saratoga. 
"         Monmouth, 
f         "         Brier  Creek,  on  Savannah  Paver.    Ashe 
I  defeated. 

Stono. 
Surrender  of  Charleston. 
Battle  of  Ramsour's  Mill,  in  North  Carolina. 
Gates  defeated  at  Camden. 
Battle  of  King's  Mountain. 
'*         Cowpens. 
"        Guildford  Court  House. 

Eutaw. 
"         Yorktown. 
Treaty  of  peace  at  Versailles. 
England  recognizes  the  independence  of  America. 
Constitution  of  the  United  States  formed. 
J  North  Carolina,  by  a  convention  at  Ilillsboro',  re- 
I     jccts  the  Constitution. 
Convention  at  Fayetteville  adopt  it. 


PEEFACE. 


I  HAVE  for  many  years,  in  hours  of  leisure,  been  engaged  in 
collecting  and  condensing  documents  and  facts  relative  to  the  early 
history  of  my  native  State. 

As  the  material  increased  on  my  hands,  and  the  time  has  come 
Vhen  the  results  of  my  labors  are  to-be  presented  to  the  intelligence 
and  favor  of  my  countrymen,  I  feel,  unaffectedly,  how  inadequate 
I  am  for  such  a  task.  .  My  labors,  however,  may  have  one  effect : 
they  may  assist  and  inspire  some  abler  hand  to  undertake  and  com- 
plete this  work,  now  so  hesitatingly  commenced.. 

There  is  no  State  in  om-  Union  whose  early  history  is  marked 
by  purer  patriotism,  more  unsullied  devotion  to  liberty,  or  more 
indomitable  opposition  to  every  form  of  tyranny  than  North  Caro- 
lina. 

Yet  how  little  of  that  early  history  has  been  given  to  the  world ! 

While  Virginia,  on  one  side,  has  had  the  labors  of  her  Jefferson, 
whose  intellect  shed  a  lustre  on  every  subject  it  touched ;  and  a  Mar- 
shall, who  was  as  illustrious  as  Chief  Justice  of  the  highest  judicial 
tribunal  of  om-  land,  as  his  character  was  pui'e  in  all  the  relations  of 
life  ;  and  the  classic  genius  of  her  Wirt,  Stith,  Campbell,  Howe,  and 
many  others  devoted  to  her  history,  and  to  the  biography  of  her 
distinguished  sons ;  while  South  Carolina  on  the  other,  has  employed 
the  "philosophic  pen"  of  her  Eamsay,  Drayton,  Simms,  and  others; 
North  Carolina,  earlier  colonized  in  point  of  history,  full  of  glorious 
examples  of  patriotism  and  chivah'ic  daring,  has  been  neglected 
by  her  own  sons  and  others. 

Tlie  fair  records  of  her  early  fame  are  buried  amid  the  mass  of 
official  documents  in  the  offices  of  the  Board  of  Trade  and  Planta- 
tions in  London  ;  and  her  history  only  shadowed  forth  in  "the 
heavy  pages"  of  Martin,  who  was  a  foreigner  by  birth,  and  the  citi- 
zen of  another  State  by  adoption ;  and  by  Williamson,  whose  labors 
terminated  by  an  elaborated  dissertation  on  fevers,  and  ends  in 
1771.  To  these  we  should  add  "the  fancy  sketches"  of  Joseph 
Seawell  Jones,  of  Shocco,  whose  book,  when  referring  to  docu- 
inei>ts  in  our  State  Department,  and  official  records,  is  worthy  of 
studj ,  but  whose  pages  only  embrace  a  limited  time,  and  are  marked 
with  misplaced  temper. 

Such*x.u,^e  been  the  historians  by  whom  the  history  of  North 


XVm  PREFACE. 

Carolina  has  been  attempted.  The  historian  of  the  age  (George 
Bancroft),  of  whom  it  may  be  said,  in  the  words  of  the  immortal 
epitaph  of  Goldsmith,  bj  Dr.  Johnson,*  and  inscribed  on  his  monu- 
ment in  Westminster  Abbey — 

"  Qui  nullum  fere  scribendi  genus 
non  tetigit, 
Nullum  quod  tetigit  non  ornavit," 

has  been  compelled  to  say,  from  examining  such  efforts,  that  "  so 
carelessly  has  the  history  of  North  Carolina  been  written,  that  the 
name,  merits  and  end  of  the  first  governor  are  not  known." 

One  of  these  (Jones),  however,  makes  this  just  remark  :  "  The 
archives  of  the  State,  and  the  desks  of  ancient  families,  now  bury 
the  story  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina. 
Ignorance  and  wickedness  may  misrepresent  the  character  of  her 
history,  if  efforts  are  not  made  to  break  away  the  darkness  that  sur- 
rounds it.     Such  are  the  inducements  for  this  publication." 

The  Legislature  of  North  Carolina,  in  common  with  every  citizen  of 
the  country,  has  felt  the  opprobrium  of  this  neglect.  At  its  session 
of  1827,  a  resolution  was  passed  directing  the  Governor  to  make  a 
respectful  application  to  the  British  Government  to  procure  (from 
the  offices  of  Board  of  Trade  and  Plantations  in  London),  for  the  use 
of  the  State,  copies  of  such  papers  and  documents  as  relate  to  the 
colonial  history  of  North  Carolina. 

The  Governor  (H.  G.  Burton),  in  February,  1827,  addressed 
Albert  Gallatin,  then  our  minister  at  that  com-t,  on  this  subject; 
and  the  British  authorities  promptly  afforded  all  the  aid  in  their 
power.  Such  a  mass  of  documents  was  discovered,  that  Lord 
Dudley,  then  at  the  head  of  the  Foreign  Office,  could  only  present 
indexes ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  most  kindly  offering  to  an  author- 
ized agent  of  our  Government  access  to,  and  copies  of,  these  papers. 

These  indexes,  by  a  resolution  of  26th  January,  1843,  Avere  or- 
dered, by  the  General  Assembly  of  our  State,  to  be  published, 
under  my  authority  and  direction — at  that  time  associated  in  the 
administration  of  the  State,  as  Public  Treasurer.  This  brought  me, 
by  law,  directly  to  the  examination  of  these  papersj  as  far  as  these 
indexes  would  allow. 

This  important  matter  rested  here  for  six  years.  The  Legisla- 
ture, by  resolution,  January,  1849,  empowered  the  Governor  to 
procure,  from  the  public  offices  in  London,  these  documents. 

In  the  interim,  conscious  of  the  importance  of  these  papers,  and 
their  vital  connection  with  the  State,  I  sent  to  a  distinguished  friend, 
then  in  London,  a  list  of  such  as  seemed  to  me  of  the  most  import- 
ance, and  they  have  been  procured.  Aided  by  these,  and  by  printed 
works  of  rare  merit,  procm-ed  from  abroad  at  much  labor  and  ex- 
pense, as  well  as  by  the  records  of  the  State  Department,  to  which, 
by  a  resolution  of  the  last  General  Assembly  (1850),  and  the  cour- 

*  Who  touched  upon  every  subject,  and  touched  no  subject  that  he  did  not 
adorn. 


PREFACE.  xix 

tesy  of  the  present  venerable  Secretary  of  State  (Wm.  Hill),  free 
access  was  obtained ;  aided,  also,  by  gentlemen  not  only  of  our  own 
State,  but  of  other  States,  with  copies  of  official  documents,  and 
faithful  traditional  statements,  important  and  interesting,  this  work, 
"with  all  its  imperfections  on  its  head,"  is  committed  to  the  press. 

I  here  repeat  the  assertion  made  in  the  prospectus,  that  I  do  not 
aspire  to  the  position  of  an  historian ;  that  niche  in  the  temple  of» 
fame  can  be  occupied  by  some  more  worthy  person.  All  that  I 
hope  is  to  present  a  fair  and  truthful  record  of  facts,  illustrative  of 
the  early  times  of  our  beloved  and  venerable  State ;  the  names  of 
those  who  have  done  her  service  in  the  field  and  senate;  and 
valuable  statistical  information  of  her  resources  and  products; 
thus  affording  data  to  other  and  abler  hands  to  occupy  the  historic 
field,  as  yet  unexplored,  and  "so  fair,  so  full  of  goodly  prospects.'" 

If  I  shall  succeed  in  rescuing  from  the  dust  of  age,  or  the  oblite- 
rating hand  of  time,  one  event  elevating  to  our  State  character ;  or, 
"like  the  fanciful  enthusiast  in  Old  Mortality,  removing  the  moss 
and  lichen  of  neglect"  from  the  monument  of  one  generous  name, 
my  end  will  be  accomplished,  and  I  will  have  paid  that  debt  which 
Lord  Coke  asserts  "every  man  owes  to  his  profession." 

In  this,  the  kind  offices  of  every  friend  of  North  Carolina  are 
solicited.  This  book,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  worthy  of  the  State,  as  it 
is  the  labor  of  years  and  patient  research.  That  it  will  be  read  by 
all,  is  not  to  be  expected ;  but,  to  those  who  may  study  its  pages,  it 
will  be  profitable. 

To  the  Christian,  it  will  present  the  record,  without  bias  or  sec- 
tarianism, of  a  people  guided  by  the  hand  of  Providence  to  this 
western  wilderness  in  search  of  freedom  of  conscience,  and  liberty 
to--worship  without  the  trammels  of  law  or  priestly  dictation ;  and, 
aided  by  the  same  hand,  from  feeble  beginnings  becomes  a  great 
and  powerful  nation. 

The  story  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  our  State  creates  a  high 
moral  feeling.     In  its  records,  we  realize  the  words  of  David : — 

"  We  have  heard  with  our  ears,  0  God,  our  fathers  have  told  us,  what 
work  thou  didst  in  their  days,  in  the  times  of  old. 

"  How  thou  didst  drive  out  the  heathen  with  thy  hand,     *     *      *      *     * 
''For  they  got  not  the  land  in  possession  by  their  own  sword,  neither  did 
their  own  arm  save  them:   but  thy  right  hand,  and  thine  arm,  and  the  light 
of  thy  countenance,  because  thou  hadst  a  favor  unto  them."* 

To  the  student,  it  will  afibrd  a  data  to  more  extended  inquiry  in 
her  history. 

To  the  statesman,  unmixed  as  it  shall  be  with  party  politics  or 
partisan  feeling,  it  may  sometimes  be  a  book  of  reference,  by 
which  his  efi'orts  may  be  guided,  and  ends  for  the  good  of  the  state 
.be  attained ;  and,  by  its  statistic  information,  facilitate  his  labors. 

^  To  the  youth  of  the  State,  the  simple  record  of  patriotic  exertion 
will  act  as  a  direct  incentive  to  virtuous  emulation. 

*  Psalms,  xliv.  1,  2,  3. 


XX  PREFACE. 

Sallust  informs  us  that  Scipio  and  Maximus,  when  beholding  the 
statues  of  their  illustrious  countrymen,  became  violently  agitated. 
*'It  could  not,"  he  says,  "be  the  inanimate  marble  which  possessed 
this  mighty  power.  It  was  the  recollection  of  noble  actions  which 
kindled  this  generous  flame  in  their  bosoms,  only  to  be  quenched 
when  they  too,  by  their  achievements  and  virtues,  had  acquired 
•equal  reputation." 

"  And  by  their  light 
Shall  every  gallant  youth  with  ardor  move 
To  do  brave  deeds." 

It  is  to  be  hoped,  too,  that  this  book  may  be  looked  into  (unin- 
teresting as  records  and  statistics  may  be  to  them)  by  the  fairer 
portion  of  creation. 

They  may  find  in  the  single-hearted  devotion  of  a  Pocahontas  ; 
in  the  enthusiastic  fidelity  of  a  Flora  McDonald ;  in  the  resolves  of 
the  women  of  '76  in  Mecklenburg  and  Rowan ;  in  the  masculine 
courage  of  Mrs.  Slocumbe,  of  Wayne,  and  Mrs.  Powell,  of  Halifax : 
in  the  patriotic  offering  of  Mrs.  Steele,  of  Salisbury ;  in  the  un- 
wearied care  of  the  mother  of  a  Gaston,  examples  worthy  of  imita- 
tion ;  and  in  the  brilliant  repartees  of  Mrs.  Wilie  Jones,  and  Mrs. 
Ashe,  of  Halifax  ;  wit  to  be  admired,  before  which  the  martial 
spirit  of  a  Tarleton  was  forced  to  quail. 

I  here  take  occasion  publicly  to  acknowledge  my  obligations  to 
the  very  many  friends  by  whom  my  efibrts  have  been  countenanced 
and  aided.  To  Hon.  George  Bancroft,  now  of  New  York  ;  to  Hon. 
David  L.  Swain,  Professors  Mitchell  and  Hubbard,  of  the  University 
of  the  State ;  to  Col.  Peter  Force,  of  Washington  (who  has  been 
a  kind  friend  to  me  from  boyhood) ;  to  Dr.  Cyrus  L.  Hunter,  of 
Lincoln  ;  to  Professor  Rockwell,  of  Davidson  College  ;  to  my  faith- 
ful agents  in  every  county  in  the  State,  and  to  many  others. 

THE  PLAN  OF  THIS  WORK. 

I.  The  first  landing  of  the  colonists  in  1584,  to  the  Revolution- 
ary war,  1776,  will  constitute  the  first  series  ;  with  a  list  and  sketch 
of  the  Governors  under  the  Proprietary,  and  Royal  Governments. 

II.  The  second  will  present  the  Governors,  Judges,  and  Executive 
officers,  from  that  time  to  the  present. 

The  Members  of  Congress  from  the  State,  from  1774  to  1851. 

The  Press,  from  the  first  introduction  of  printing,  in  the  State, 
to  the  present  day. 

Education  in  the  State ;  History  of  the  University ;  Sketches  of 
the  life  and  characters  of  its  Presidents ;  other  institutions  and  the 
Common  Schools. 

The  public  institutions  of  the  State,  as  the  Banks,  Railroads, 
Canals,  Turnpike  and  Plank  Roads ;  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and 
Dumb,  and  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane. 


PREFACE.  XXI 

Resources  of  the  State  ;  her  expenses  and  liabilities  ;  her  Popu- 
lation. 

III.  The  third  series,  will  present  a  sketch  of  each  county  in  the 
State,  in  alphabetical  order ;  1,  date  of  its  erection ;  2,  origin  of 
its  name ;  3,  situation  ;  4,  boundaries,  its  colonial  and  revolutionary 
history,  its  products  and  population ;  sketches  of  lives  of  its  distin- 
guished citizens,  and  an  accurate  list  of  the  members  from  each 
county  in  the  Senate  and  House  of  Commons,  from  the  adoption  of 
the  constitution,  or  the  erection  of  the  county  to  the  last  session, 
1850—51. 

Whatever  defects  this  work  may  present,  it  has  one  merit  that 
cannot  be  detracted ;  it  is  written  and  compiled  by  a  native  of  the 
State. 

Mr.  Prescott  thus  speaks  of  Graham's  Eistory  of  the  United 
States:  "Mr.  Graham's  work  with  all  its  merits  is  the  work  of  a 
foreigner,  and  that  word  comprehends  much  that  cannot  be  over- 
come by  the  best  writer.  He  may  produce  a  beautiful  composition  ; 
faultless  in  style,  accurate  in  delineation,  and  full  of  sound  logic 
and  wise  conclusions.  But  he  cannot  enter  into  the  sympathies, 
comprehend  the  feelings  and  peculiar  ways  of  thinking  that  form 
the  idiosyncrasy  of  a  nation.  What  can  he  know  who  has  never 
been  warmed  by  the  same  sun,  lingered  among  the  same  scenes, 
listened  to  the  same  tales  in  childhood,  pledged  to  the  same  inter- 
ests in  manhood,  enlivened  by  the  same  hopes  and  depressed  by 
the  same  fears  that  go  to  form  national  character  !"      *      *_     * 

"  As  in  portrait  painting,  so  it  is  in  painting  characters  in  history. 
A  foreign  artist  may  catch  some  bold  outline,  prominent  feature,  or 
general  air  of  his  subject ;  but  he  cannot  hope  to  delineate  the 
fleeting  shades  of  expression,  the  almost  imperceptible  play  of  fea- 
tures which  are  only  observed  and  revealed  to  the  most  familiar 
observation  and  daily  intercourse. 

"  Who  would  look  to  a  Frenchman  for  a  good  work  on  England,  or 
to  an  Englishman  for  a  faithful  history  of  France  ?  Ill  fares  it  ivith 
a  state,  whose  history  is  tvritte7i  by  others  than  her  own  sons  !  What 
foreign  hand  like  Herodotus  and  Thucydides  could  have  painted  the 
achievements  of  Greece  ?  Who,  like  Livy  and  Tacitus,  the  shifting 
character  of  the  Roman,  in  his  rise,  meridian,  and  decline  ?  Had 
the  Greeks  trusted  their  story  to  the  same  Romans  what  would 
have  been  their  fate  with  posterity  ?  Let  the  Carthagenians  tell  !"* 
Of  the  histories  of  North  Carolina  (if  we  except  Jones),  not  one 
has  been  written  by  a  native  of  the  State,  or  who  resided  in  the  State 
at  the  time  of  their  death. 

Williamson,  whose  work  was  published  in  1812,  was  a  native  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  died  in  New  York. 

Martin,  who  published  in  1829,  was  a  native  of  France,  and  died 
in  Louisiana. 

*  Prescott's  Miscellanies,  310. 


XXU  PREFACE. 

This  work  is  written,  collated  and  published,  by  a  native  North 
Carolinian. 

Errors,  it  doubtless  contains,  omissions  unavoidable,  and  many 
imperfections. 

But  he  trusts  that  his  labors  will  not  be  without  some  beneficial 
effect. 

He  will  be  p-ateful  for  any  correction  of  errors,  or  any  omission 
supplied ;  and  if  this  meets  a  kind  reception  from  his  countrymen, 
another  edition  may  remedy  these  defects,  and  be  more  worthy  of 
their  attention,  and  of  his  illustrious  subject. 

Ellangowan, 

Beatty's  Ford,  N.  C. 
1st  July,  1851. 


SERIES  I. 

HISTORICAL  SKETCHES  OF  THE  FIRST  SETTLEMENT  OF  NORTH 
CAROLINA,  FROM  1584  TO  THE  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR  IN  1776. 


CHAPTER  I. 

FROM  1584  TO  1585. 


The  discovery  of  America  by  Columbus  in  1492,  under  the  auspices  of  Fer- 
dinand of  Spain — John  Cabot's  expedition  in  1496,  under  the  auspices  of 
Henry  VIL— The  first  expedition  to  the  United  States  in  1584,  under  the 
auspices  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigli,  which  landed  on  Roanoake  Island,  in 
North  Carolina. 

The  renown  acquired  for  the  Spaniards  in  the  discovery  of 
America  by  Cohimbus,  in  1492,  excited  other  nations  to  emulate 
this  example. 

England  and  France  engaged  in  this  enterprise. 

In  1496,  John  Cabot  obtained  from  Henry  VII.  a  patent  for 
himself  and  three  sons,*  to  search  for  countries  hitherto  unseen 
by  Christian  people,  and  to  affix  the  banners  of  England  in  any 
land  they  might  discover.  A  voyage,  in  1497,  was  undertaken  by 
him,  and,  for  the  first  time,  the  shores  of  North  America,  among 
the  polar  bears  and  rude  savages  of  Labrador,  were  visited  by  an 
English  ship.f 

The  discovery  of  a  north-west  passage,  and  the  mercantile  in- 
terests of  the  kingdom,  kept  this  feeling  alive  with  the  English 
nation  through  the  subsequent  reigns  of  Henry  VIII.,  Edward  VL, 
Mary  and  Ehzabeth.  Added  to  this  feeling  was  the  thirst  for  gold, 
which  it  was  believed  abounded  in  this  western  world. 

In  1584,  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  not  disheai'tened  by  the  sad  fate 
of  his  step-brother,  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert,  who  perished  a  year  pre- 
vious on  a  voyage  of  discovery,  obtained  a  patent  from  Queen 
Elizabeth,!  and  fitted  out  two  ships  under  Philip  Amidas  and 
Arthur  Barlow.  These  ships  sailed  in  April,  1584,  from  England, 
aud  in  July  they  landed  on  the  shores  of  North  Carolina. 

*  Patent  recorded  in  Ilakluyt,  iii.  25,  26. 

t  '^•rncroft,  i.  9.  X  Hakluyt,  iii.  297. 


24  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

It  was  tlien  and  there  "the  meteor  flag"  of  England  was  first 
displayed  in  these  United  States,  and  on  the  sandy  banks  of  North 
Carolina,  rested  the  first  Anglo-Saxon  anchor. 

After  returning  thanks  to  God  for  their  safe  arrival,  Amidas  took 
formal  possession  of  this  country,  in  "  the  name  of  Elizabeth  of 
England,  as  rightful  Queene  and  princess  of  the  same." 

Here  we  may  pause  at  this  interesting  point  of  our  inquiries,  and 
remark  as  most  providential,  that  this  settlement  occurred  at  this 
period,  under  such  auspices. 

Had  it  occurred  a  few  years  earlier,  imder  the  rule  of  "the 
bloody  Mary,"  seas  of  blood  and  persecution  must  have  been  en- 
countered before  our  forefathers  had  attained  the  religious  liberty 
they  then  er^oyed.  Had  it  occurred  under  the  flag  of  Spain,  the 
sword  of  a  Cortez  or  Pizarro  would  have  carried  blood  and  devas- 
tation ;  murder  would  have  signalized  the  event,  and  this  country 
now  be  no  further  advanced  in  science  or  religion  than  the  be- 
nighted and  bigoted  regions  of  South  America.  But  here,  the 
reformed  religion  and  enlightened  privileges  of  the  age  of  Elizabeth 
marked  the  event. 

The  season  of  the  year  (July),  was  mild.  The  sea  was  calm ;  the 
air  was  redolent  with  the  perfume  of  flowers ;  and,  as  expressed  by 
Amidas,  in  his  report  to  Sir  Walter  Kaleigh,  "  the  fragrance,  as 
they  drew  near  the  land,  was  as  if  they  had  been  in  the  midst  of 
some  delicate  garden,  abounding  in  all  manner  of  odoriferous 
flowers." 

The  loveliness  of  the  scenery,  and  the  mildness  of  the  climate, 
was  excelled  by  the  gentleness  of  the  native  inhabitants,  who  re- 
ceived the  strangers  Avith  all  that  hospitality,  which,  even  at  this 
day,  is  characteristic  of  "the  Old  North  State."  On  Roanoake 
Island,  now  in  Currituck  county,  the  English  were  welcomed  by  the 
wife  of  Granganimeo,  father  of  Wirgina,  the  king.  "  The  people 
were  most  gentle,  loving,  and  faithful,  void  of  all  guile  and  treason, 
and  such  as  lived  after  the  manner  of  the  golden  age."* 

After  making  a  short  stay,  Amidas  and  Barlow  returned  to  Eng- 
land, where  they  arrived  safely  in  the  following  September,  accom- 
panied, in  the  guileless  simplicity  of  their  nature,  by  Manteo  and 
Manchesc,  two  native  Indians  of  North  Carolina.  Their  accounts 
to  their  patron,  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  and  to  Queen  Elizabeth,  of  the 
climate,  soil,  and  inhabitants,  caused  a  thrilling  excitement  through- 
out the  kingdom  of  England.  In  the  fullness  of  her  heart,  the 
queen  called  it  Virginia,  discovered  as  it  was  under  the  reign  of  a 
virgin  queen. 

*  Copied  from  Amidas  and  Barlow's  account.     Ilakluyt,  iii.'SOl,  307. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  25 


CHAPTER    II, 


FROM  1585  TO  1589. 


Second  expedition  under  Sir  Richard  Greenville  in  1585,  and  the  third  under 
the  same  in  1586 — The  fourth  under  Governor  White,  Governor  of  the  City 
of  Raleigh. 

This  adventure  of  Amidas  and  Barlow  was  most  Ratifying  to 
the  spirit  of  the  English  nation.  Believing  with  popular  credulity 
the  gorgeous  and  glowing  descriptions  of  this  western  world  by 
Amidas  and  Barlow,  it  was  not  difficult  to  gather  a  numerous  com- 
pany of  emigrants  to  this  land  of  promise. 

Another  expedition  under  Sir  Richard  Greenville,  sailed  (19tli 
April,  1585)  from  Plymouth,  under  the  auspices  of  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh,  with  several  persons  of  distinction;  among  whom  were  Sir 
Ralph  Lane,  as  Governor ;  Cavendish,  who  soon  after  circumnavi- 
gated the  globe ;  Hariot,  the  historian ;  and  one  hundred  and  eight 
others.  They  landed  on  Roanoake  Island  in  July.  The  ships  left 
the  colonists  in  August  and  returned.  This  colony  thus  planted, 
governed  by  Lane,  achieved  no  permanent  location;  and,  after  a 
residence  of  a  year,  returned  with  Sir  Francis  Drake  to  England. 

Tius  terminated  the  first  colony.  This  step  of  Governor  Lane's 
was  ill  timed,  for,  a  few  days  after  his  departure,  a  ship,  dispatched 
by  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  arrived,  loaded  with  every  essential  to  com- 
fort ;  and,  soon  after.  Sir  Richard  Greenville  appeared  the  second 
time  with  three  ships,  who  searched  in  vain  for  Lane  and  the 
colonists.  Sir  Richard  left  fifteen  men  on  the  Island  of  Roanoake 
and  returned. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  next  year  (January,  1587),  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh  dispatched  John  White,  commissioned  as  "  Governor  of  the 
City  of  Raleigh,"  and  a  number  of  colonists,  male  and  female,  who 
arrived  in  July.  The  colonists  left  by  Greenville  were  not  to  be 
found. 

On  the  northern  end  of  the  island,  the  foundations  of  "the  City 
of  Raleigh"  were  laid.  By  command  of  Sir  Walter,  Manteo  was 
baptized  (27th  August,  1587),  and  created  Lord  of  Roanoake. 
White  returned  to  England,  leaving  a  colony  of  eighty-nine  men, 
seventeen  women,  and  two  children.  Among  them  was  his  daugh- 
ter, Eleanor  Dare,  wife  of  one  of  the  assistants,  whose  child  was 
the  first-born  offspring  of  English  parents  in  this  western  world. 

Tbe  condition  of  England,  at  the  return  of  White,  was  unpro- 
pitiouf  to  the  colony.  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  Greenville,  and  Lane, 
with  the  whole  nation,  were  engaged  in  a  war  with  Spain,  by  which 
an  invasion  was  threatened.     It  was  more  that  tAvo  years  beforo 


26  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

White  could  return ;  and,  on  landing  on  the  Island  of  Roanoake 
(1590),  not  a  single  man  was  found.*  It  had  been  agreed  on  leav- 
ing the  colony,  that  if  any  accident  should  overcome  the  colonists, 
to  leave  the  name  of  the  place  where  they  might  be  found ;  and,  if 
in  distress,  to  designate  it  by  a  cross.  Governor  White  found,  on 
a  tree  or  post,  the  word  Croatan,  but  without  the  sign  of  distress. 
No  trace  of  these  colonists  has  ever  been  discovered,  f 

Lawson,  the  earliest  historian  of  Carolina,  believes  that  the  Eng- 
lish, despairing  of  all  relief,  from  the  long  absence  of  their  friends, 
amalgamated  Avith  the  Indians.  In  confirmation  of  which  he  learned 
"from  the  Hatteras  Indians  that  several  of  their  ancestors  were 
white  people,  and  could  talk  in  a  book.  The  truth  of  which  is  con- 
firmed by  gray  eyes  being  among  these  Indians  and  no  others." 

Thus  ended  the  second  colony. 


CHAPTER    III. 


FROM  1589  TO  1653. 


Other  expeditions  unsuccessful,  and  Sir  Walter  assigns  his  patent  (1589) — 
Sketch  of  the  life,  character,  and  death  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  (1618) — Set- 
tlement of  the  colony  of  Virginia  under  Captain  John  Smith — Sketch  of 
the  life,  character,  and  services  of  John  Smith — His  rescue  by  Pocahontas, 
daughter  of  Powhatan — Her  life,  character,  and  services. 

Compelled  to  desist  from  the  hope  of  successful  colonization  in 
North  Carolina,  Sir  Walter  Raleigh  still  did  not  despair  of  finding 
his  faithful  men,  left  by  Greenville. |  He  sent  five  several  expedi- 
tions to  search  for  them,  but  in  vain;  and,  after  expending  about 
forty  thousand  pounds,  and  receiving  no  benefits  in  return,  he 
assigned§  (7th  March,  1589),  to  Thomas  Smith  and  others,  the 
privilege  of  trading  to  Virginia,  reserving  to  himself  one-fifth  of  the 
gold  and  silver  they  might  discover.  As  the  Chesapeake  Bay  had 
been  discovered  by  Governor  Lane,  he  directed  their  location  to 
that  point,  as  being  a  safe  and  commodious  harbor,  rather  than  the 
dangerous  coast  and  open  road  near  Cape  Hatteras. 

Thus  ended  the  efibrts  of  the  brave  and  gallant  Raleigh  to  es- 
tablish a  colony  in  North  Carolina.  "  A  man  of  wit  and  the  sword," 
as  he  was  so  tauntingly  termed  by  Sir  Edward  Coke ;  his  character 
and  fame  arc  dear  to  our  State.  As  a  soldier,  his  courage  was 
undaunted ;  and,  as  a  scholar,  his^  learning  was  deep  and  varied. 
Although  his  gallantry  and  services  found  no  favor  in  the  eyes  of 
the  pusillanimous  James  I.,  under  whom  he  sufiered  ignominy 
and  death;  after  a  long  and  rigorous  confinement,  he  was  tried  for 

*  Williamson,  i.  60.  f  Lawson,  62. 

X  Purchas,  iv.  1653.  §  Williamson,  ii.  58. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  27 

offences  of  which  he  was  innocent,  convicted,  and  beheaded  on  Oc- 
tober 29,  1618;*  yet  his  name  has  been  preserved;  and,  after  a 
lapse  of  two  hundred  years,  the  State  of  North  Carolina  has  offered 
a  tribute  to  his  memory  and  his  virtues,  by  naming  its  capital  in 
honor  of  the  generous,  chivalric  and  noble  Raleigh. 

"  His  memory  sparkles  o'er  the  fountain : 
His  name  inscribed  on  lofty  mountain, 
The  meanest  rill,  the  mightiest  river 
Rolls,  mingled  with  his  name  forever." 

In  accordance  with  the  suggestions  of  the  sagacious  councils  of 
Sir  Walter,  the  Chesapeake  became  the  point  to  which  future  efforts 
were  directed. 

A  patent  was  granted  to  a  London  company  (1606),  and  about 
the  same  time,  another  patent  was  granted  to  Sir  Thomas  Gates, 
Sir  George  Sommers,  and  others. 

The  next  spring  (1607),  saw  a  colony  located  at  Jamestown, 
governed  by  the  distinguished  Captain  John  Smith. 

Discord,  anarchy,  and  confusion,  mark  the  early  history  of  these 
colonists,  and  but  for  the  genius,  courage,  and  skill  of  Smith,  they 
had  shared  the  fate  of  the  colony  of  Roanoake.  But  Providence 
destined  otherwise. 

"Tanto  molis  erat, 

condere  gentium."! 

Guided  by  his  talents,  influenced  by  his  example,  under  the  wise 
administration  of  Smith,  the  Qolony  of  Virginia  was  founded. 

It  is  refreshing  to  the  mind  of  every  American,  to  know  that 
under  the  auspices  of  such  men  our  country  was  first  settled. 

With  all  nations,  the  character  of  their  founders  is  a  source  of 
pride.  Ancient  Greece  asserted  that  her  founders  were  divine. 
Rome  delighted  in  the  fanciful  idea  that  Romulus  was  descended 
from  their  gods.  "No  Norman  tyrant  landed  on  our  shores,"  nor 
did  any  "  fabled  fugitive"  from  the  flames  of  Troy  settle  this  coun- 
try; but  men  "who  knew  their  rights,  and  knowing,  dared  main- 
tain." The  rock  can  now  be  shown  upon  which  they  first  landed ; 
the  rude  ramparts  that  sheltered  them  from  the  savage  foe  can  be 
pointed  out.  .  In  their  characters  are  discovered  every  virtue  that 
can  dignify  our  nature,  and  every  trait  that  ennobles  mankind.  In 
none  are  virtue,  courage,  or  patience  more  conspicuous  than  in  John 
Smith.  I  . 

He  had  distinguished  himself  in  the  wars  with  the  Turks ;  and,  m 
single  combat,  met  (1607)  before  the  walls  of  Alba  Regis,  and  over- 
came three  of  the  most  distinguished  of  his  adversaries.  _  His  whole 
course  of  life  previous  to  his  arrival  in  the  colony  of  Virginia,  was 
peculiarly  adapted  to  prepare  him  for  the  trials,  dangers,  and  adver- 
sities^ of  this  position.     In  every  situation  in  which  he  was  placed 

*  See  "Celebrated  Trials"  (Philada.,  1835),  page  180. 

j   Of  such  material  to  form  a  nation. 

t  Life  of  Captain  John  Smith,  by  W.  Gilmore  Simms. 


28  HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

as  a  soldier,  or  a  statesman,  his  character  was  fully  equal  to  his 
position. 

While  exploring  the  river  which  his  patriotism  had  dignified  hy 
the  name  of  his  sovereign  (James),  he  was  taken  prisoner  (1608), 
and  conducted  by  the  Indians  in  triumph  to  their  savage  king, 
Powhatan.  Undismayed  by  adversity,  he  meets  his  fate  with  calm- 
ness and  dignity.     He  is  condemned  to  death. 

Already  the  savage  death  song  is  sounded  ;  the  victim  is  bared 
and  bound,  and  Powhatan,  the  savage  monarch,  stands  ready  to 
give  the  word  to  the  executioners,  whose  war  clubs  are  raised.  But 
the  youthful  daughter  of  Powhatan,  Pocahontas,  rushes  between  the 
victim  and  his  fate — 

"  A  shriek  arrests  the  falling  blow, 
And  Pocahontas  shields  the  foe." 

At  her  earnest  supplications  he  is  released  ;  in  a  few  days  he  is 
allowed  to  return  to  his  comrades  in  arms  at  Jamestown,*  Such 
was  his  influence,  that  the  Indians,  instead  of  the  war  club  and 
tomahawk,  are  seen  bringing  corn  and  other  supplies  to  the  famished 
garrison. 

To  the  generous  character  of  this  Indian  princess,  Pocahontas,  the 
safety  and  preservation  of  the  colony  may  be  attributed.  She  was 
so  pure  and  simple-hearted  in  her  conduct,  that  often  she  advised, 
at  great  peril,  the  colonists  of  impending  danger ;  and  finally,  was 
induced  to  marry  one  of  the  colonists,  Rolfe ;  from  Avhich  alliance 
some  of  the  first  families  of  Virginia  trace  their  origin. 

She  embraced  the  Christian  religion,!  and  was  baptized  and  re- 
ceived into  the  church  under  the  name  of  Rebecca. J  In  1616,  she 
went  with  Sir  Thomas  Dale  to  England.  She  was  cordially  received, 
and  treated  with  that  respect  due  her  rank  and  her  devotion  to  the 
cause  of  the  colonists.  She  died  in  England,  at  Gravesend,  "the 
sweetest  example  of  Christian  resignation  and  fortitude."  She  left 
one  son,  Thomas  Rolfe,  who  was  educated  in  England,  and  became 
a  person  of  distinction  in  Virginia.  He  left  one  daughter,  who 
married  Colonel  Robert  Boiling,  who  had  the  present  Colonel  John 
Boiling  and  several  daughters,  who  married  ColOnel  Richard  Ran- 
•  dolph.  Colonel  .John  Fleming,  Dr.  "William  Guy,  Thomas  Eldridge, 
and  James  Murray.  The  late  talented  John  Randolph  was  a  de- 
scendant of  this  family, J 

Years  have  elapsed  since  this  admirable  woman  departed,  but  her 
noble  conduct  will  endure  in  the  pages  of  history,  when  the  marble 
which  records  her  generous  deliverance  of  Smith,  in  our  National 
Capitol,  shall  have  mouldered  to  its  original  elements. 

*  "  A  true  relation  of  such  occurrences  and  accidents  of  note  as  have  hap- 
pened in  Virginia  since  the  first  plantino;  of  the  colony,  by  John  Smith,  1608." 

t  This  interesting  event  forms  the  subject  of  the  national  picture  in  the 
capitol  at  Washington,  by  Chapman. 

X  Stith,  46.   Simms'  Life  of  Captain  John  Smith,  366. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  29 


CHAPTER   IV, 


FROM  1653  TO  1712. 


Permanent  settlement  of  North  Carolina — William  Drummond,  first  Governor, 
in  1663,  a  Scotchman — Succeeded  by  Governor  Stephens  on  his  death, 
1667 — Who  was  succeeded  at  his  death  (1674)  by  Governor  Carteret,  whose 
deputy.  Miller,  acts  as  governor  during  the  absence  of  Carteret — Cul- 
pepper's insurrection,  and  possession  of  the  government  by  him  in  1678 — 
Governor  Eastchurch  arrives  in  North  Carolina — Culpepper  sent  for  trial 
to  England,  tried  and  acquitted — John  Harvey,  on  the  death  of  Eastchurch, 
governor  in  1680 — Governor  John  Jenkins  appointed,  who,  on  his  death, 
is  succeeded  by  Henry  Wilkinson  (Dec.  1681) — Seth  Sothel  appointed 
governor  in  1683 — His  character  and  life  ;  exiled  by  the  people,  and  death — 
Succeeded  by  Governor  Philip  Ludwell  (1689),  who  resided  most  of  his 
time  in  Virginia — Constitution  formed  by  Locke  for  North  Carolina  (1693) 
— Carolina  divided  into  North  and  South  Carolina — Thomas  Smith  ap- 
pointed governor — On  his  advice,  John  Archdale,  "the  Quaker  Governor," 
is  appointed  (1694);  his  sagacious  and  prudent  administration — On  his 
return  to  England  (1699),  Thomas  Harvey,  governor — On  his  death  in 
1699,  Henderson  Walker  is  governor — On  his  death  (1704)  Robert  Daniel 
succeeds  as  governor — Difficulties  between  the  Church  of  England  and  the 
Dissenters — First  church  in  North  Carolina  (1705) — First  newspaper  in  the 
United  States  (1705) — Contest  between  Cary  and  Glover  for  the  govern- 
ment— Cary  prevails — Cary  sent  to  England  for  examination  (1711) — 
Edward  Hyde  governor  in  1712 — De  Graaffeureidt's  patent — Indian  mur- 
ders— Lawson,  first  historian  of  North  Carolina,  killed  by  the  Indians — • 
Hyde  dies  with  yellow  fever  (1712),  and  George  Pollock  succeeds  him — 
First  emission  of  paper  money  in  North  Carolina. 

Sixty-nine  years  after  the  landing  of  Amidas  and  Barlow  on  the 
coast  of  North  Carolina,  a  colony  from  Virginia  (July,  1653),  led 
by  Roger  Green,*  settled  on  the  banks  of  the  Roanoake,  and  on 
the  south  side  of  the  Chowan,  and  its  tributary  streams. 

North  Carolina  had,  previously,  been  the  refuge  of  Quakers,  and 
others  fleeing  from  religious  persecutions.  Before  this  period,  this 
country  had  been  explored  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Colony  of  Vir- 
ginia, in  1622,  who  traveled  overland  to  Chowan  River,  and  de- 
scribed the  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  salubrity  of  the  climate, f  and 
the  kindness  of  the  natives. 

In  1662,  the  Chief  of  the  Ycopim  Indians  granted  to  George 
Dm-ant  a  neck  of  land  in  Perquimans  county,  which  still  bears  his 
name. 

On  the  24th  March,  1663,  King  Charles  II.  granted  to  Edward, 
Earl  of  Clarendon ;  George,  Duke  of  Albemarle ;  William,  Earl  of 
Cii-ven;  John,  Lord  Berkley;  Anthony,  Lord  Ashley j  Sir  George 

*  Henning,  Statutes  at  Large,  BSD,  381. 
t  Smith's  Virginia,  ii.  04. 


30  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Carteret,  Sir  John  Colleton,  and  Sir  William  Berkeley,  all  the  coun- 
try between  the  Pacific  and  Atlantic  Oceans,  between  31°  and  36° 
parallels  of  latitude,  called  Carolina,  in  honor  of  Charles. 

In  1663,  Sir  William  Berkley,  Governor  of  the  Colony  of  Vir- 
ginia, visited  the  province,  and  appointed  William  Drummond 
Governor  of  the  Colony  of  Carolina.  Drummond  was  from  Scot- 
land, and  inheriting  the  national  characteristics  of  that  people,  he 
was  prudent,  cautious,  and  deeply  impressed  with  a  love  of  liberty. 
Such  was  the  settlement,  and  such  Avas  the  first  Governor  of 
North  Carolina.  The  lake  in  the  centre  of  the  Dismal  Swamp  pre- 
serves his  name. 

It  was  called  the  county  of  Albemarle  from  Gen.  Geo.  Monk,  after- 
wards Duke  of  Albemarle,  one  of  the  proprietors,  which  included 
the  country  between  Virginia  and  the  Cape  Fear  River.  The  county 
of  Clarendon  spread  over  the  region  from  Cape  Fear  to  Florida. 

Drummond,*  at  his  death  in  1667,  was  succeeded  by  Stevens  as 
governor. 

At  this  time  the  colony  contained  about  four  thousand  inhabit- 
ants, a  few  fat  cattle,  and  eight  hundred  hogsheads  of  tobacco. t 

The  first  assembly  that  made  laws  for  Carolina,  assembled  in  the 
fall  of  1669.x 

No  freer  country  was  ever  organized  by  man.  Freedom  of  con- 
science, security  from  taxation  except  by  their  own  consent,  were 
their  first  objects.  No  one  could  recover  a  debt,  the  cause  of  action 
of  which  arose  out  of  the  colony,  within  five  years  ;  the  emigrant  was 
exempted  from  taxation  for  a  year ;  every  emigrant  received  a 
bounty  of  land.  These  simple  laws  suited  a  simple  people,  who 
were  as  free  as  the  air  of  theii-  mountains ;  and  when  oppressed 
were  as  rough  as  the  billows  of  the  ocean.  They  submitted  to  no 
unjust  laws,  they  bowed  their  knee  to  no  earthly  monarch. 

"Are  there  any,"  says  Bancroft,§  "who  doubt  man's  capacity 
for  self  government  ?  Let  them  study  the  history  of  North  Caro- 
lina ;  the  inhabitants  were  restless  and  turbulent  in  their  imperfect 
submission  to  a  government  imposed  on  them  from  abroad ;  the 
administration  of  the  colony  was  firm,  humane,  and  tranquil  when 
left  to  themselves.  Any  government  but  their  own  was  oppres- 
sive." 

March,  1669.  At  this  time,  a  form  of  government,  magnificent  in 
design,  and  labored  in  detail,  called  "  The  fundamental  constitutions 
of  Carolina,"  were  drawn  up  by  the  celebrated  author  of  the  Essay 
on  the  Human  Understanding,  John  Locke.  These  are  preserved 
in  the  second  volume  of  Revised  Statutes  (1837),  449. 

On  the  death  of  Governor  Stevens,  who  died  in  the  colony  full 
of  years  and  wealth,  the  assembly  chose  Carteret  for  their  governor, 
and  on  his  return  to  England  soon  after,  Eastchurch,  who  then  was 
in  England,  was  appointed  governor,  and  Miller  secretary. 

*  Williamson,  i.  93.  t  Chalmers,  533.     Bancroft,  ii.  157. 

;  Chalmers,  525.  |  Bancroft,  ii.  158, 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  31 

The  governor  being  detained,  Miller  proceeded  to  North  Carolina, 
"  holding  the  triple  oJEce  of  governor,  secretary,  and  collector." 

The  conduct  of  this  man,  "  dressed  up  in  his  brief  authority,"  was 
oppressive.  The  spirit  of  the  people  was  aroused  by  his  extortion  and 
tyranny.  Led  on  by  John  Culpepper,  who  had  been  surveyor-gene- 
ral of  South  Carolina,  they  seized  the  president  and  six  members  of 
the  council,  and  put  them  in  prison.  They  called  a  legislature, 
appointed  courts  of  justice,  and  exercised  all  the  rights  and  powers 
of  government  for  two  years.*  The  imbecile  hand  that  then  held  the 
English  sceptre  (Charles  II.)  was  too  fond  of  pleasure  "  to  take 
much  trouble  with  a  distant  and  disordered  colony." 

The  colonists  declared,  that  "  excessive  taxation,  abridgment  of  po- 
litical liberty,  with  a  denial  of  a  free  election  of  an  assembly,  the 
unwise  interruptions  of  the  natural  channels  of  commerce  were  the 
threefold  grievances  of  the  colony." 

This  was  the  germ  of  the  great  principles  that  ripened  more 
than  one  hundred  years  after,  into  our  glorious  revolution  of  1776, 
and  its  rich  fruits  were  our  national  independence  and  liberty. 

When  Governor  Eastchurch  arrived,  his  authority  was  derided. 
He  applied  to  the  Governor  of  Virginia  for  aid  to  restore  his 
authority.     But  he  died  before  troops  could  be  raised. 

Culpepper  was  tried  in  England  in  1680  for  these  offences,  defended 
by  Shaftesbury ;  he  was  acquitted,  even  by  an  English  jury. 

In  1680,  John  Harvey,  as  president  of  the  council,  took  charge 
of  the  colony  of  North  Carolina,  and  in  June  of  that  year,  John 
Jenkins  was  appointed  governor  by  the  proprietors  ;  who  was  suc- 
ceeded on  his  death  (December  1681),  by  Henry  Wilkinson. 

That  the  insurrection  of  Culpepper  Avas  not  considered  treasona- 
ble, or  even  unpopular  with  the  Proprietors  themselves,  is  proved 
by  the  fact  that  one  of  his  associates  under  Governor  Harvey,  was 
the  Receiver  General,  and  another  (George  Durant)  a  judge  of  the 
court. 

Such,  however,  was  the  free  spirit  of  the  people,  that  it  was  ex- 
pedient to  send  one  of  the  proprietors  as  governor. 

In  1683,  Seth  Sothel,  who  had  purchased  the  rights  of  Lord 
Clarendon,  arrived  as  Governor  in  North  Carolina. 

The  character  of  Sothel  presents  every  vice  that  can  degrade 
man  or  disgrace  his  nature.  "  During  the  six  years  that  he  mis- 
ruled the  people  of  North  Carolina,  the  dark  shades  of  his  charac- 
ter were  not  relieved  by  a  single  ray  of  virtue."!  Profligate  in  his 
habits,  licentious  in  his  tastes,  sordid  and  avaricious  in  his  conduct ; 
his  administration  is  marked  by  every  kind  of  extortion.  He  was 
not  fit  to  rule  over  a  people  that  were  impatient  of  any  tyranny  or 
oppression.  He  was  impeached,  imprisoned  by  the  people,  and  sen- 
tenced by  the  colony  to  twelve  months  exile,  and  a  perpetual 
inc:<r>acity  for  the  office  of  governor.  He  returned  to  South  Carolina, 
where  he  afterwards  became  governor ;  from  this  colony  also  his 

*  Wniu...  son,  i.  132.  t  Il^id.  i.  140. 


32  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

vices  expelled  him,  and  he  died  in  North  Carolina  in  1692  without 
issue. 

For  the  will  of  Seth  Sothel,  from  the  records  now  on  file  in  Se- 
cretary of  State's  OflBce  at  Raleigh,  see  chap,  xix.,  Chowan  county, 
in  the  following  pages. 

Philip  Ludwell  succeeded  as  governor,  1693.  He  continued 
but  a  short  time  in  the  colony,  and  although  four  years  governor, 
resided  the  greater  part  of  that  time  in  Virginia.* 

Governor  Ludwell  had  been  a  collector  of  customs  in  Virginia, 
an  adherent  of  Berkley,  and  a  complainant  in  England  against 
Efiingham  as  Governor  of  Virginia.  After  some  time  spent  in  vain 
efibrts  to  carry  out  the  wishes  of  the  lords  proprietors,  consistent 
with  the  prosperity  of  the  colonists,  he  gladly  retired  to  Virginia, 
and  Alexander  Lillington  was  appointed  deputy  governor ;  two  years 
afterf  Thomas  Harvey  succeeded  as  deputy  governor. 

The  fundamental  constitutions  so  sagely  devised  by  the  philoso- 
phic Locke,  were  abrogated  at  this  time. 

The  portion  of  the  province  north  of  the  Santee,  was  called  North 
Carolina ;  and  the  foiu"  southern  counties.  South  Carolina. 

A  dreadful  storm  was  in  this  year  experienced  in  North  Carolina  ;J 
it  reversed  the  order  of  nature.  It  stopped  some  rivers,  and  opened 
others. 

Thomas  Smith,  on  the  abrogations  of  the  constitutions  of  Locke, 
was  appointed  governor  by  the  Proprietors  ;  but  his  political  opi- 
nions were  so  difierent  from  those  of  the  colonists,  that  he  gladly 
advised  that  one  of  the  Proprietors  should  visit  North  Carolina,  to 
inquire  into  their  grievances  and  redress  their  wrongs. 

Following  this  salutary  counsel.  Lord  Ashley,  the  grandson  of 
Shaftesbury,  the  pupil  and  antagonist  of  Locke,  and  the  celebrated 
author  of  the  Characteristics,  was  appointed.  He  declined  the  mis- 
sion, and  John  Archdale,  a  member  of  the  peaceful  society  of 
Friends,  received  the  appointment.  Until  his  arrival,  Joseph  Black 
was  deputy  governor  of  the  province. 

The  selection  of  Governor  Archdale  Avas  most  fortunate.  Im- 
bued with  the  peaceful  and  wise  tenets  of  his  religious  belief,  and 
the  true  principles  of  democracy  that  it  inculcated,  like  his  great 
predecessor  in  Pennsylvania  who  landed  only  twelve  years  before,  at 
New  Castle  (27th  Oct.,  1682),  his  administration  of  the  colony  was 
prudent,  wise,  and  salutary. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1695,  he  met  the  Legislature  in  Charles- 
ton. §  He  purchased  lands  in  Albemarle,  and  one  of  his  daughters 
married  in  Pasquotank,  where  some  of  his  descendants  live  to  this 
day.  The  wife  of  William  Hill,  Esq.,  the  present  Secretary  of 
State  of  North  Carolina,  is  a  descendant  of  Governor  Archdale, 
through  his  daughter  Ann,  who  married  (July,  1688)  Emmanuel 

*  Williamson,  i.  147,  f  Ibid.  i.  143. 

X  Marten,  i.  195,  ^  Williamson,  i.  158. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  33 

Lowe,  whose  daughter  Anne  married  Pendleton,  whose  daughter 
Mary  married  Dempsy  Conner,  the  father  of  Mrs.  HilL 

An  advocate  for  the  freedom  of  conscience,  he  wisely  avoided  the 
religious  disputes  between  the  zeal  of  the  high  church  party,  and 
the  great  body  of  the  people,  which  had  much  excited  the  colony. 
He  quieted  the  jarrings  between  the  colonists  and  their  feudal 
sovereigns,  by  remitting  quit  rents  for  three  and  four  years,  regu- 
lating the  prices  of  lands,  and  allowing  the  payment  in  produce  in 
lieu  of  money.  To  cultivate  the  friendship  of  the  Indians,  he  es- 
tablished a  Board  to  decide  all  contests  between  them  and  the 
whites.  Although  surrounded  by  dangerous  and  savage  tribes,  no 
conflict  was  apprehended,  because  no  ofience  was  committed. 

Penn's  treaty  with  the  Indians  in  Pennsylvania  has  received  the 
plaudits  of  all  ages.  Made,  unlike  other  treaties,  without  any 
formality  of  oaths ;  and,  unlike  others,  was  never  violated.  So 
Archdale  acted.  He  established  in  our  jurisprudence  the  great 
principle  that  those,  who,  from  conscientious  scruples,  refused  to 
bear  arms,  should  be'  exempted  therefrom  on  a  certificate  from  the 
Governor.  * 

Roads  were  made  under  skillful  surveys.  The  course  of  his  con- 
duct was  such  that  the  representatives  of  the  freemen  of  the  colony 
declared  that,  "by  his  wisdom,  patience,  and  labor,  Governor  Arch- 
dale  had  laid  a  foundation  for  a  most  glorious  superstructure,  "j" 

His  character  deserves  to  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance  by  the 
people  of  North  Carolina.  The  effects  of  his  sagacity  introduced  sys- 
tem and  union  into  the  colony,  and  his  name  should  be  perpetuated 
by  a  more  enduring  monument  than  it  has  hitherto  received. 

During  his  administration,  a  brig  from  Madagascar,  on  her  way 
to  England,  anchored  off  Sullivan's  Island.  Thomas  Smitlf,  a  land- 
grave, on  going  on  board,  received  a  bag  of  Rice,  with  descriptions 
of  its  culture,  its  suitableness  for  food,  and  its  incredible  increase. 
From  this  small  beginning  arose  that  which  soon  became  the  chief 
support  of  the  colony,  and  is  now  one  of  its  staple  commodities  and 
a  source  of  wealth. | 

When  Governor  Archdale  returned  to  England,  the  government 
of  the  Colony  of  North  Carolina  devolved  on  Thomas  Harvey,  as 
Deputy  Governor,  who  had  already  (1695)  exercised  that  office; 
and,  on  his  death,  the  administration  devolved  on  Henderson  Walker, 
who  was  President  of  the  Council. §  He  was  a  lawyer,  and  for  some 
time  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

Under  his  administration,  an  important  change  took  place  in  the 
judiciary.  Hitherto  the  general  court  had  been  held  by  the  chief 
magistrate,  the  deputies  of  the  lords  proprietors,  and  two  assistants. 
A  commission  now  issued  appointing  five  persons  Justices  of  the 
Supreme  Court. 

*  See  Militia  Laws  of  North  Carolina,  quoted  in  note  to  vol.  i.  William- 
son, 272. 
t  Archd-Je,  21.     Bancroft,  ill.  16.     Martin,  i.  198.  %  Martin,  i.  198. 

i  See  Mart: :,  i.  2G5.     Williamson,  i.  18"J.     Bancroft,  iii.  20. 
o 


34  HISTORY  OF  NORTU  CAROLINA. 

The  piracies  of  the  famous  Captain  Kidd  occurred  at  this  time, 
who  was  taken,  and  tried  in  England  and  executed. 

Under  the  mihl  rule  of  Gov.  Walker,  the  inhabitants  of  North 
Carolina  increased  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  highest  personal  liberty. 
"Five  miles  below  Edenton,  just  a  hundred  yards  from  the  sound, 
beneath  the  shade  of  a  large  cedar,  is  the  grave  of  Henderson 
Walker.  The  stone  that  marks  the  spot  keeps  the  record  that 
'North  Carolina,  during  his  administration,  enjoyed  tranquillity.'  " 

I  copy  from  the  tomb-stone  the  following : — 

"  Here  lyes  y*  body  of 

HENDERSON  WALKER,  Esq., 

President  of  the  Council  and  Commander-in-Chief"  of  North  Carolina, 

during  whose  Administration  the  Province  enjoyed  that  tranquillity  which 

it  is  to  be  wished  it  may  never  want. 

He  departed  this  life,  14  April,  1704,  aged  44  years." 

On  the  north  side  of  this  tomb 

"  Lyes  y«  body  of 

GEORGE  LILLINGTON, 

Son  of  Major  Alexander  Lillington, 

who  died  in  ye  15  year  of  his  age.  Anno  1706." 

Over  the  other  side  is  the  following  inscription : — 

"  Here  lyes  y*  body  of 

MADAM  ANN  MOSELY, 

Wife  of  Edward  Mosely,  Esq. 

She  was  y'  daughter  of  Maj.  Alex.  Lillington,  Esq.,  and  y" 

Widow  of  the  Hon.  Henderson  Walker,  Esq., 

Late  President  of  His  Majesty's  Council  of  No.  Carolina. 

She  departed  this  life,  Nov.  the  18th,  A.  D.  1712, 

aged  55  years  &  5  months." 

On  the  death  of  Governor  Walker,  Robert  Daniel,  a  landgrave, 
was  made  President  of  the  Council.  He  had  distinguished  himself 
in  arms  at  the  late  attack  on  St.  Augustine,  and  was  appointed  by 
Sir  Nathaniel  Johnson,  whose  commission  now  extended  over  the 
whole  Province  as  Deputy  Governor  of  the  Northern  part  of 
Carolina. 

Lord  Granville,  who  was  still  Palatine,  had  instructed  Sir  Na- 
thaniel Moore  to  establish  the  religion  of  the  Church  of  England 
in  the  colony  by  legal  authority. 

In  1704,  by  arts  and  intrigue  in  the  General  Assembly,  a  law 
was  passed  by  a  majority  of  one,  disfranchising  all  dissenters  from 
any  ofiice  of  trust,  honor,  or  profit. 

A  previous  assembly  had  passed  a  law  (1702)  by  which  thirty 
pounds  should  be  raised  in  each  precinct  to  support  a  minister  of 
the  church  of  England. 

This  produced  tumults  and  insurrections  among  the  people.  A 
large  majority  of  the  colonists  had  no  religion;  many  who  professed 
religion  were  Quakers,  Presbyterians,  Lutherans,  and  Independents. 

In  the  year  1705,  the  first  chmxh  in  North  Carolina  was  built 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  35 

in  Cliowan  County.*     Quakers  were  not  allowed  to  give  evidence 
in  any  criminal  case,  or  serve  on  a  jury,  or  hold  any  office. 

The  Governor  (Daniel)  and  the  people,  immediately  opposed 
these  laws.  A  petition  was  introduced  into  Parliament,  and,  on 
hearing  the  evidence,  the  House  of  Lordsf  declared  that  these 
"  acts  were  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  England,  contrary  to  the  charter 
of  the  proprietors ;  an  encouragement  to  atheism ;  detrimental  to 
trade;  and  tended  to  the  depopulation  and  ruin  of  the  province." 

Thus  Avas  first  asserted,  in  North  Carolina,  by  her  simple  and 
patriotic  people,  the  great  principle  of  divorce  of  church  and  state. 

This  year  (1705)  was  printed  the  first  American  newspaper, 
called  the  Boston  Neivs  Letter. 

In  this  year,  so  severe  was  the  cold,  that  Albemarle  Sound,  at 
Edcuton,  was  frozen  over.J 

Peacefully  as  was  this  important  principle  (separation  of  church 
and  state)  maintained  and  established.  North  Carolina  was  not 
free  from  tumult.  The  succession  of  a  governor  (like  that  of  the 
sceptre  of  the  mother  country)  was  often  the  scene  of  confusion 
and  insurrection.  In  the  language  of  a  cotemporaneous  writer, § 
"it  was  the  common  practice  of  the  people  in  North  Carolina  to 
resist  and  imprison  their  governors,  until  they  looked  upon  that  as 
lawful  which  had  been  so  long  tolerated." 

Thomas  Cary  was  appointed  Deputy  Governor  by  Sir  Nathaniel 
Johnston.  The  Lords  Proprietors  disapproved  of  the  choice,  and 
directed  their  deputies  to  select  one  of  their  own  number  as  Governor 
of  North  Carolina.  The  deputies  selected  William  Glover.  Cary, 
who  was  selected  as  deputy  governor,  had  been  collector  of  the 
rents  of  the  Lords  Proprietors,  and  had  neglected  to  settle  his  ac- 
counts. For  awhile  he  seemed  to  yield  to  the  sway  of  Glover ;  but, 
aided  by  his  friends,  he  seized  the  records  of  the  province,  and 
proclaimed  himself  governor. 

The  colony  now  was  a  scene  of  anarchy ;  the  laws  were  suspended, 
and  justice  fled.  The  respectable  portion  of  the  colony  adhered  to 
Glover ;  while  Cary  possessed  the  force.  A  general  assembly  was 
called,  which  met  at  Captain  Heckelfield's,  on  Little  River,  to  de- 
cide this  vexed  question.  Members  appeared  under  writs  of  election 
issued  by  President  Glover ;  while  another  set  appeared  under  writs 
of  election  issued  by  President  Cary.  Glover  and  Cary  sat  in 
separate  rooms  with  their  respective  councils.  Great  confusion 
prevailed,  and  the  partisans  of  Glover,  irritated  by  the  persecutions 
from  Cary  and  his  adherents,  sought  refuge  in  Virginia.  Thus 
was  the  Colony  of  North  Carolina,  for  a  time,  again  under  a  domin- 
ion contrary  to  the  propt  ictary  government. 

At  this  period,  Edward  Hyde  arrived  with  the  commission  of 
Lieutenant  Governor  ;  but  Cary  refused  to  yield.  With  an  armed 
brig  c^nd  a  smaller  vessel  he  made  an  attempt  upon  Edenton,  but 

*  WiiMamson,  i.  109.  f  Martin,  i.  223. 

X  WilUi.^.^on,  i.  177.  §  Sputswood  MSS. 


36  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

was  repulsed  and  retired  to  Batli.  Governor  Hyde  made  a  requi- 
sition upon  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  Alexander  Spotswood,  wlio 
sent  a  party  of  marines  from  the  ships  that  lay  in  Hampton  Roads. 
The  finale  of  this  insurrection  is  detailed  hy  the  following  letter 
from  Governor  Spotswood,  which  I  copy  from  a  document  on  file  in 
the  archives  of  the  Historical  Society  of  the  University  of  North 
Carolina.* 

"Kequotan,  July  31,  1711. 
"  To  the  Proprietors  of  Carolina : 

"My  Lords — Since  my  writing  this,  the  marines  are  returned, 
after  having  frighted  the  rebellious  party  so  as  to  lay  down  their 
arms  and  disperse;  and  I  with  joy  tell  your  Lordships  that  there 
is  now  some  prospect  of  trancjuillity  in  your  Government ;  and  that 
I  have  brought  this  about  Avithout  effusion  of  blood  or  disorders 
committed.  And,  upon  my  arrival  at  this  place,  I  found  Colonels 
Cary,  Levy,  and  Truit,  and  company,  blustering,  and  pretending 
to  have  taken  a  passage  in  the  fleet  for  their  going  for  England,  in 
order  to  justify  their  actions.  Whereupon  I  had  them  brought 
before  me  ;  but  plainly  discovered  they  intended  nothing  less  than 
a  fair  trial  at  youj:  Lordships'  Board.  Wherefore,  seeing  they 
would  give  me  no  security  for  such  appearance,  I  have  sent  them 
home  in  the  Reserve  and  Tyger  men-of-war ;  believing  the  greatest 
justice  I  can  do  them  is  to  leave  them  to  your  Lordships'  examination. 

"A.  SPOTSWOOD." 

Edward  Hyde,  who  was  appointed  Governor  the  next  year,  issued 
his  proclamation  January,  1712,  granting  pardon  to  all  the  late  in- 
sux'gents,  except  Thomas  Cary,  John  Porter,  and  three  others. 

The  Lords  Proprietors  granted,  in  1709,  to  Christopher,  Baron 
de  Graaffenreidt,  ten  thousand  acres  of  land,  on  the  Neuse  and  Cape 
Fear  rivers,  at  the  rate  of  ten  pounds  sterling  for  every  thousand 
acres,  and  five  shillings  quit  rent.  A  great  number  of  Palatines, 
and  fifteen  hundred  Swiss,  followed  the  Baron,  and  settled  at  the 
cjonfluence  of  the  Trent  and  Neuse.  The  town  was  called  New  Bern, 
after  Bern  in  Switzerland,  the  birth-place  of  Graaffenreidt. 

It  had  been  the  boast  of  one  of  the  earliest  historiansf  of  North 
Carolina,  that  this  colony  was  the  only  instance  of  a  nation  planted 
in  peace,  and  located  without  bloodshed  of  the  natives.  This  was 
true  at  this  time.  While  Massachusetts,  Virginia,  and  others  were 
laying  the  foundation  of  their  colony  on  the  bones  of  the  aborigi- 
nes, and  cementing  their  structure  with  blood,  North  Carolina  was 
quietly  pursuing  her  course,  unmolested  by  the  Indians,  and  respect- 
ing their  rights. 

*  Extracts  from  "Letters  of  the  Hon.  Alexander  Spotswood,  late  Governor 
of  Virginia,  respecting  the  affairs  of  North  Carolina,  addressed  to  the  Ministry 
of  the  late  Queen  Anne,  extracted  from  the  letter  book  in  MS.  and  deposited 
in  the  Secretary's  Office  of  North  Carolina  by  Alexander  Martin,  late  Gover- 
nor, to  serve  as  materials  for  some  future  historian  of  said  State." 

t  Lawson's  History  of  North  Carolina. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA,  37 

The  Indians  viewed  with  jealousy  the  increasing  numbers  of  the 
whites.  The  first  blow  was  struck  by  them.  The  Tuscaroras,  a 
powerful  tribe,  formed  a  conspiracy  with  the  Pamplico  Indians,  to 
attack  the  planters  on  the  Roanoake.  The  Cothechneys,  who  lived 
in  the  present  county  of  Greene,  engaged  to  come  down  and  join 
the  Cores,  and  attack  the  planters  on  the  Neuse  and  Trent  rivers. 
Bath  was  to  be  attacked  by  the  Mattamuskeets  and  Matchepungoes. 

On  the  11th  of  September,  1711,  one  hundred  and  twelve  per- 
sons, principally  settlers  on  the  Roanoake  and  Chowan,  fell  under 
the  murderous  tomahawk.  The  carnage  was  continued  for  three 
days,  until  fatigue  only  disabled  the  savage  foe. 

The  utmost  cruelty  marked  the  inroad  of  the  savages.  From  a 
letter  of  C.  Gale,  who  was  then  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
written  a  short  time  after,  this  horrid  massacre  has  been  trans- 
mitted to  us  in  all  its  fearful  truth.  Old  men  and  infants,  young 
men  and  maidens,  all  shared  the  same  awful  fate.  "  The  family  of 
Neville,"  says  Gale,  "was  treated  after  this  manner.  The  old  man 
was  found,  after  being  shot  dead,  laid  out  on  the  floor,  with  a  clean 
pillow  under  his  head,  his  stockings  turned  over  his  shoes,  and  his 
body  covered  with  fine  linen.  His  wife,  after»being  murdered,  was 
set  upon  her  kness  in  the  chimney  corner,  and  her  hands  raised  up 
on  a  chair,  as  if  at  prayer.  A  son  was  laid  out  in  the  yard,  with  a 
pillow  under  his  head,  and  a  bunch  of  rosemary  laid  to  his  nose. 
At  the  next  house,  the  owner  was  shot,  and  laid  on  his  wife's  grave ; 
women  were  laid  on  the  floor,  and  great  sharp  stakes  run  up  through 
their  bodies.  Women  with  child,  were  murdered,  and  the  unborn 
ripped  out  and  hung  on  trees."* 

Lawson  and  Graafienriedt  were  taken  while  exploring  the  Neuse. 
Lawson,  the  Surveyor-General  of  the  province,  and  its  earliest 
historian,  was  murdered  by  the  savages ;  De  Graaifenreidt  only 
escaped  by  humiliating  stipulations.  Such  was  the  efi'ect  upon 
Graaifenreidt,  that  he  sold  his  interest  to  Thomas  Pollock  for  eight 
hundred  pounds,  and  returned  to  Switzerland.  This  conduct  of  the 
Indians,  met  with  severe  chastisement.  Governor  Hyde  called  out 
the  militia  of  North  Carolina.  The  Legislature  of  South  Carolina, 
with  alacrity  raised  six  hundred  militia,  and  three  hundred  and  sixty 
Indians,  under  Col.  Barnwell;  who,  with  great  expedition  crossed 
the  wilderness  that  then  separated  North  from  South  Carolina,  and 
was  joined  on  the  Neuse  by  such  portions  of  the  North  Carolina 
militia,  as  could  be  spared  from  guarding  the  inhabitants.  The 
Indians  were  fortified  on  the  banks  of  the  Neuse,  in  the  present 
County  of  Craven,  about  eighteen  miles  west  of  Newborn.  Her€ 
they  received  the  attack  of  the  whites.  They  were  defeated  with 
great  slaughter  (1712);  more  than  three  hundred  savages  were 
kiMed,  and  one  hundred  made  prisoners. 

*  I  I'.m  indebted  foi*  this  letter  to  the  excellent  address  of  Professor  Hub- 
bard, of  i,be  University,  at  the  last  commencement,  on  the  "  Early  Historians 
of  North  Carolina." 


38  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

In  the  summer,  to  the  horrors  of  war,  the  ravages  of  the  yellow 
fever  were  added  to  the  misfortunes  of  the  colonists,  and  the 
Governor  fell  a  victim  (September  8th,  1712). 

The  Deputies  of  the  Lords  Proprietors  selected  George  Pollock, 
the  Deputy  of  Lord  Carteret,  as  President  and  Commander  in 
Chief  to  succeed  him. 

To  liquidate  the  heavy  debts*  of  the  colony,  in  consequence  of 
the  Indian  wars,  eight  thousand  pounds  of  bills  of  credit  were 
issued  by  the  colony. 

This  was  the  first  emission  of  paper  money  in  the  State  of  North 
Carolina. 


CHAPTER  V. 

FROM  1712  TO  1729. 

Charles  Eden  governor  (1713) — Tuscarora  Indians  humbled,  and  make  a 
treaty — Black  Beard,  the  pirate  ;  his  life  and  death — Edenton  established 
— Eden's  death  (1722) — Copy  of  his  tombstone — Thomas  Pollock  succeeds 
as  governor;  and,  in  1724,  on  his  death,  William  Reed,  as  President  of  the 
Council,  is  governor — In  1724  Governor  Burrington  arrives — His  character 
— His  opinion  of  the  people  of  North  Carolina — Sir  Richard  Everhard 
appointed  governor,  1725 — Dividing  line  between  Virginia  and  North 
Carolina,  1727 — The  lords  proprietors  surrender  to  the  crown,  July  1729, 
except  Lord  Granville — Population  and  divisions  of  the  colony  at  this  time 
— Portion  of  Lord  Granville. 

On  the  13th  of  July,  1713,  Charles  Eden  was  appointed  Gover- 
nor of  North  Carolina. 

From  1693  to  January  1712,  the  northern  part  of  the  province 
(Albemarle),  was  ruled  either  by  deputy  governors  appointed  by 
the  Governor  of  Carolina  at  Charleston,  or  by  the  President  of  the 
Council,  elected  by  the  deputies  of  the  lords  proprietors.  In  all 
other  respects  the  two  governments.  North  and  South  Carolina, 
were  independent,  separated  by  a  wilderness,  and  a  well  defined 
boundary,  the  Santee  River. 

The  Tuscarora  Indians,  now  hmnbled,  entered  into  a  treaty  (June 
1718),  and  a  tract  of  land  on  the- Roanoake,  in  the  present  county 
of  Bertie,  was  granted  to  them  by  Governor  Eden.  Finally,  this 
tribe  joined  the  nations  in  New  York,  holding,  until  a  few  years 
past,  the  fee  simple  in  a  portion  of  the  soil  of  Bertie  County. 

In  the  administration  of  Governor  Eden,  a  character  notorious 
for  his  crimes  as  a  pirate,  Edward  Teach,  commonly  called  BlacJc 
Beard,  lived  in  North  Carolina.  So  darins:  were  his  adventures, 
that  he  defied  the  government;  he  had  a  ship  of  forty  guns  well 
armed,  and  spread  terror  along  the  coast.  The  colonial  govern- 
ment finding  itself  unable  to  resist  his  power,  it  was  deemed  proper 

*  Martin,  1264. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  39 

ttat  the  king's  pardon  should  be  issued  to  all  pirates,  who,  Tvithin 
a  limited  time,  should  surrender  themselves  to  anj  of  the  colonial 
governors  (George  I.  1717). 

Teach,  and  twenty  of  his  men,  surrendered  themselves  to  Governor 
Eden.  His  associates  dispersed  themselves,  and  some  went  to  work. 
Teach's  habits  were  illy  suited  to  a  life  of  peace  and  industry.  His 
ill-gotten  wealth  was  soon  squandered  in  licentious  courses.  He 
fitted  out  a  sloop  at  a  place  which  now  bears  his  name,  within 
Ocracoke  Inlet,  called  Tcaclis  Hole,  and  again  sallied  forth  on 
piratical  adventures.  Such  was  the  annoyance  of  his  depredations, 
that  the  Assembly  of  Virginia  oifered  one  hundred  pounds  reward 
for  his  apprehension. 

Lieutenant  Maynard,  taking  with  him  two  small  coasters,  sailed 
from  Hampton  Roads  on  the  17th  of  November,  1718,  in  quest  of 
Teach.  He  found  him  at  his  usual  place  of  rendezvous,  near 
Ocracoke.  The  action  immediately  commenced.  Teach,  with  horrid 
oaths,  boasted  that  he  neither  asked  nor  gave  quarters.  At  one 
broadside,  nineteen  of  Maynard's  men  were  killed;  to  save  them 
from  such  murderous  fire,  he  ordered  his  men  below,  directing 
himself  his  vessel.  The  pirates  board  his  ship;  at  this  moment 
the  lieutenant  calls  his  men  on  deck;  a  fierce  and  deadly  com- 
bat, hand  to  Jiaiid,  ensues.  The  two  commanders  meet.  They 
rush  to  combat,  and  the  pirate  Teach  falls  covered  with  blood. 
Eight  of  his  fourteen  men  were  killed,  and  the  other  six  wounded, 
so  that  they  could  no  longer  fight.  Maynard  sailed  up  to  the  town 
of  Bath  with  the  head  of  Teach  hung  to  the  bowsprit  of  his  vessel. 

Thus  died,  amid  his  vices  and  crimes,  a  man  whose  valor  was 
worthy  of  a  better  cause,  and  whose  name  is  given  to  a  place  well 
known  to  every  shipper  on  our  coast.  To  this  day,  superstition  still 
preserves  his  name  with  heaps  of  buried  treasure.  The  character 
of  Governor  Eden  suffered  much  by  a  supposed  intimacy  with  Teach. 
Edward  Mosely,  who  was  a  prominent  man  in  the  colony,  declared* 
that  "the  Governor  could  raise  an  armed  posse  to  arrest  honest 
men,  though  he  could  not  raise  a  similar  force  to  apprehend  Teach, 
a  noted  pirate;"  and  on  Teach's  dead  body  was  found  a  letter  of 
his  secretary,  Tobias  Knight,  intimating  proof  of  Knight's  friend- 
ship and  Eden's  respect. 

Mosely  was  subsequently  arrested  for  misdemeanorf  himself,  and 
tried  by  the  General  Court,  convicted,  fined  one  hundred  pounds, 
silenced  as  an  attorney,  and  declared  incapable  of  holding  any  office 
in  the  colony  during  three  years.  The  Governor  laid  before  the 
Council,  1719,  an  account  of  his  proceedings  against  Teach.  The 
Council  expressed  their  approbation  of  his  conduct. 

In  August,  1720,  the  Governor  met  the  Legislature,  assembled 
at  the  Court  House  in  Chowan.  At  this  session,  a  town  Avhich  had 
beea  some  time  before  established,  was  called,  in  honor  to  the 
Governor,  Edenton. 

*  TTilliarason,  ii.  11.  f  Martin,  i.  286. 


40  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Governor  Eden  died  ITth  March,  1722,  aged  forty-nine. 
On  Salmpn  Creek,  in  Bertie  County,  the  stone  that  marks  his 
grave  has  this  inscription  : — 

"  Here  lyes  y'  body  of 

CHARLES  EDEN,  Esq., 

•who  governed  this  Province  eight  years  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  Lords 

Proprietors,  and  y'  ease  and  happiness  of  y*  people. 

He  brought  the  country  into  a  flourishing  conditiqn,  and  died  much 

lamented,  March  y*"  26,  1722,  getatis  49. 

And  near  this  place,  lyes  also  y«  body  of 

PENELOPE  EDEN, 

his  virtuous  consort,  who  died  -Jan.  the  4th,  1716,  eetatis  39. 

Vivit 

post  funera, 

Hie 

Quem  virtus  non  mamor 

in  aeternum 

sacrat." 

Thomas  Pollock  (March  30th,  1722)  again  succeeded  as  Presi- 
dent of  the  colony ;  on  30th  August  following,  he  died.  On  7th 
September,  William  Reed  was  president ;  during  the  period,  unin- 
terrupted peace  prevailed. 

On  the  15th  January,  1724,  George  Burrington,  who  had  been 
appointed  to  succeed  Governor  Eden,  opened  his  commission  as 
governor. 

In  February,  1731,  Governor  Bm-rington  thus  officially  to  the 
Duke  of  New  Castle,  gives  us  his  opinion  of  the  inhabitants  of  North 
Carolina : — 

"  The  people  of  North  Carolina'are  neither  to  be  cajoled  or  out- 
witted. Whenever  a  governor  attempts  to  effect  anything  by  this 
means,  he  will  lose  his  labor  and  show  his  ignorance." 

"  The  inhabitants  of  North  Carolina  are  not  industrious,  but 
subtle  and  crafty ;  always  behaved  insolently  to  their  governors ; 
some  they  have  imprisoned,  others  they  have  drove  out  of  the  coun- 
try, and  at  other  times  set  up  a  governor  of  their  own  choice,  sup- 
ported by  men  under  arms."* 

Tranquillity  prevailed  in  the  colony.  The  associates  in  the 
government  were,  Christopher  Gale,  Chief  Justice;  James  Stan- 
way,  Attorney  General;  Edward Mosely,  Surveyor  general;  Arthur 
Goffe,  Receiver  General;  John  Dunstan,  Naval  Officer;  Henry 
Clayton,  Provost  Marshal. 

The  character  of  Governor  Burrington  had  little  to  recommend 
him  as  a  wise  ruler,  or  sagacious  statesman.  He  was  appointed 
from  family  influence,  his  father  having  rendered  service  in  pro- 
moting George  I.  to  the  English  throne,  and  like  all  such  appoint- 
ments, when  not  based  on  merit,  was  unfortunate.  Without  any 
great  talent,  he  was  deficient  in  ordinary  prudence  in  matters  of 
state ;  while  his  private  life  was  disgraced  by  broils,  and  breaches 

*  MS.  Documents  on  file  in  Offices  of  Board  of  Trade  in  London,  from 
1662  to  1769,  procured  through  kindness  of  Honorable  Geo.  Bancroft. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  41 

of  the  peace.  He  had  not  been  in  the  colony  two  years,  when  so 
many  complaints  were  made  of  his  rash  and  injudicious  conduct, 
that  he  was  removed,  and  in  April,  1725,  Sir  Richard  Everhard 
was  appointed.     He  qualified  at  Edenton,  on  17th  July,  1725. 

The  legislature  met  at  Edenton  on  6th  November  following,  and 
the  boundary  line  between  North  Carolina  and  Virginia  was  run 
this  year.  The  commissioners  on  the  part  of  Virginia  were  William 
Byrd,  William  Dandridge,  and  Richard  Fitzwilliams  ;  those  of  our 
State,  were  Christopher  Gale,  lidward  Mosely,  and  Samuel  Swann. 
They  commenced  their  labors  5th  March,  1727. 

The  first  of  these  (William  Byrd)  has  left  a  record  containing 
"  the  History  of  the  Dividing  Line,"  which  has  been  published ;  and 
which  is  not  very  complimentary  to  North  Carolina.*  He  states 
"  the  borderers  laid  it  to  heart  if  their  land  was  taken  in  Virginia, 
they  chose  much  rather  to  belong  to  Carolina,  where  they  pay  no 
tribute  to  God  or  to  Csesar." 

The  people  of  South  Carolina  had  already  revolted  from  the 
feudal  sway  of  the  Lords  Proprietors,  and  Governor  Johnston  was 
compelled  to  leave  his  government,  and  this  colony  reverted  to  the 
crown.  Although  this  feeling  did  not  extend,  to  North  Carolina, 
yet  the  proprietors  found  that  their  possessions  did  not  yield  them 
any  permanent  advantage.  It  was  believed  that  the  restless  and 
turbulent  spirit  manifested  by  the  people  against  the  deputy  of  their 
fellow-subjects,  would  yield  a  loyal  obedience  to  the  direct  repre- 
sentative of  the  Sovereign. 

Accordingly,  the  Lords  Proprietors  (except  Lord  Granville)  sur- 
rendered the  government  of  the  province,  and  all  the  franchises 
under  tlie  charter  of  Charles  XL,  as  well  as  their  property  in  the 
soil,  to  the  English  crown,  for  a  valuable  consideration.  This  was 
ratified  by  an  act  of  Parliament  (2  Geo.  II.  ch.  xxxiv.,  1729).  Each 
of  the  proprietors  received  from  the  crown,  the  sum  of  two  thousand 
five  hundred  pounds  sterling. 

John,  Lord  Carteret,  Baron  of  Hawnes,  as  heir  of  his  father 
(who  died  in  1696),  was  in  possession  of  the  share  of  Sir  George 
Carteret.  He  Avas  afterwards  created  Earl  of  Gran\dlle,  and  he 
thought  fit  to  retain  his  eighth  part  of  the  soil.  This  was  laid  off, 
in  1743,  for  him,  adjoining  Virginia.  Five  commissioners  were 
appointed  by  the  crown,  and  five  by  Lord  Granville.  His  terri- 
toryf  was  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Virginia  line,  on  the  east 
by  the  Atlantic,  on  the  south  by  a  line  in  latitude  35°  34''  from 
the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  Ocean,  and  on  the  west  by  the  Pacific. 
A  princely  domain  ! 

Thus  ended  the  proprietary  government  of  North  Carolina,  en- 
during sixty-six  years  after  the  charter  from  Charles  II. 

The  population  did  not  exceed  ten  thousand  persons  in  North 
CaroliL^a.     Its  primary  divisions  was  into  three  counties. 


*  ^Vestovei-  MSS.     Petersburg,  1841. 
f  Martin,  vol.  ii.  43. 


42  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

1st.  Albemarle  ;  whicli  was  subdivided  into  six  precincts,  Curri- 
tuck, Pasquotank,  Perquimans,  Chowan,  Bertie,  and  Tjrrell. 

2d.  Bath,  into  four  precincts,  Beaufort,  Hjde,  Craven,  and 
Carteret. 

3d.  Clarendon,  one  precinct,  New  Hanover. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

FROM  1729  TO  1754. 

North  Carolina  under  the  royal  governors — Governor  Burrington,  1729 — His 
character,  conduct,  life,  and  death,  in  1734 — Nathaniel  Rice,  the  Secretary, 
governor  in  1734;  who  was  succeeded  by  Gabriel  Johnston,  as  governor — 
Line  between  North  and  South  Carolina — Computation  of  time  altered  by 
act  of  Parliament  —  First  printing  press  in  North  Carolina,  1749 — Fort 
Johnston  built — Moravians  purchase  land  in  North  Carolina — First  revisal 
of  the  laws  of  North  Carolina — Governor  Johnston,  after  being  governor 
for  twenty  years,  dies  (1752) — His  life,  character,  and  services — He  is 
succeeded,  for  a  time,  by  Nathaniel  Rice ;  and,  on  his  death,  in  -January 
1753,  by  Matthew  Rowan — Population  of  North  Carolina  in  1754 — Aid 
sent  to  Virginia,  against  the  French,  by  North  Carolina. 

George  Burrington,  who  had  been  governor  under  the  pro- 
prietoi-s,  was  appointed,  in  1770,  by  the  king  (George  I.).  He 
arrived  in  February  1731,  and  qualified  as  governor,  at  Edenton, 
on  the  25th  of  that  month.  William  Smith  was  Chief  Justice ;  Ed- 
mund Porter,  Judge  of  Admiralty;  John  Montgomery,  Attorney- 
General  ;  Xathaniel  Rice,  Secretary  of  the  Province.  The  Council 
of  the  Governor,  named  in  his  commission,  were  John  Baptist  Ashe, 
Cornelius  Harnet,  Matthew  Rowan,  and  four  others. 

Governor  Bm-rington  did  not  beofin  his  administration  under 
such  auspices  as  would  tend  to  benefit  the  colony.  His  disposition 
was  not  fitted  for  his  station.  He  soon  became  involved  in  diffi- 
culties with  his  council,  the  Assembly,  and  the  judges.  The  records 
of  the  colonial  offices  and  board  of  trade  present  evidence  from  Mr. 
Montgomery,  the  Attorney-General,  Mr.  Porter,  one  of  the  council, 
Mosely,  Ashe,  and  others,  of  the  misbehavior  of  Governor  Burring- 
ton ;  while  the  records  of  the  General  Court,  sitting  at  Edenton 
(March  1726),  show  that  he  was  indicted  for  slanderous  and  ^'icious 
conduct ;  for  breaches  of  the  peace  on  the  house  of  Su"  Richard  Ever- 
hard,  on  the  persons  of  Robert  Kenyon,  Robert  Rawle,  the  provost 
marshal,  and  others.  His  eccentric  conduct  created  such  a  storm, 
that  he  found  it  impossible  to  resist  its  fury ;  and,  under  pretence 
of  visiting  South  CaroUna,  he  left  the  colony,  went  to  Charleston, 
1734,  and  soon  after  sailed  to  England.  His  death  occurred  soon 
after.  Rioting,  in  his  usual  manner,  all  night,  he  was  found  mur- 
dered, in  the  morning,  in  the  Bird  Cage  Walk,  in  the  corner  of  St. 
James'  Park,  in  London. 


HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  43 

The  government  devolved  on  the  Secretary,  Nathaniel  Rice,  who 
was  qualified  as  governor,  at  Edenton,  on  the  17th  of  April,  1734. 
His  administration  was  of  a  very  short  dui'ation,  for,  during  the 
summer  under  the  recommendation  of  Spence  Compton,  Baron  of 
Wilmington,  Gabriel  Johnston  was  appointed  governor.  He 
arrived  in  the  River  Cape  Fear,  in  October  1734,  and  in  November, 
he  took  the  oaths  of  office,  in  the  town  of  Brunswick,  at  the  Court 
House  in  the  precinct  of  New  Hanover. 

Governor  Johnston  was  a  Scotchman  by  birth,  a  man  of  letters 
and  of  liberal  views.  He  was  by  profession  a  physician,  and  held 
the  appointment  of  Professor  of  Oriental  Languages  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  Saint  Andrews,  where  he  had  received  his  education. 
He  was  an  able  political  writer,  and  figured  in  "the  Craftsman,"  a 
periodical  for  which  Lord  Bolingbroke,  Pulteney  and  others  wrote. 

He  met  the  Legislatm-e  at  Edenton.  His  addresses  to  them  show 
that  he  fully  appreciated  the  lamentable  condition  of  the  colony, 
by  the  imprudence  and  vicious  conduct  of  his  predecessor,  and  his 
earnest  desire  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  people. 

At  the  next  session  (September  1736)  he  again  addressed  the 
House,  bewailing  the  deplorable  condition  of  the  colony;  the  loose 
morals  of  the  people;  the  want  of  provision  for  education;  the  dis- 
regard of  law;  the  violation  of  justice;  the  oppression  of  the  poor; 
and  the  contempt  of  all  law  by  the  rich ;  and  concluded  by  observ- 
ing, "that  while  he  was  obliged  by  his  instructions  to  maintain  the 
rights  of  the  crown,  he  would  show  a  regard  to  the  privileges,  liber- 
ties and  happiness  of  the  people." 

In  March  1736,  the  Assembly  having  imprisoned  his  Majesty's 
officers  for  distraining  for  quit  rents,  the  governor  dissolved  them, 
so  as  to  put  a  stop  to  practices  in  them  so  derogatory  to  the  crowti 
and  subversive  of  order.* 

Under  his  prudent  administration  the  colony  revived,  and  from 
this  period  increased  in  population,  wealth  and  resources. 

This  year  (1738),  commissioners  ran  the  line  between  North  and 
South  Carolina.  The  kino;  had  fixed  its  beginnino;  at  the  north-east 
of  Long  Bay,  to  run  thence  north-west  to  35°  north  latitude,  thence 
west  to  the  South  Sea.  The  commissioners  on  the  part  of  North 
Carolina  were  Robert  Holton,  Matthew  Rowan,  and  Edward  Mosely. 
The  commissioners  began  at  a  cedar  stake  on  the  sea  shore,  by  the 
mouth  of  Little  River,  and  having  run  a  north-west  line  until  they 
arrived,  as  they  conceived  to  35°,  they  altered  their  course  by 
"mutual  consent"  and  ran  west  to  the  Pee  Dee.  This  stopped  the 
line  for  the  present.  Afterwards,  it  was  extended  twenty  miles  by 
private  persons.  It  was  continued  in  1764.  This  was  taken  for 
the  true  line,  according  to  Governor  Tryon's  proclamation  (May 
1765).  Governor  Martin,  some  years  after  (1771),  informed  the 
Assembly  that  he  was  instructed  to  continue  said  line  as  far  as  the 
Salisbui  V  road,  thence  until  it  strikes  the  lands  of  the  Catawba  In- 

*  Manuscripts  from  offices  of  Board  of  Trade  in  London. 


44  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

dians,  thence  leaving  those  lands  to  the  south,  to  the  Catawba 
River,  then  due  west.  The  ridiculous  zigzag  that  our  southern 
line  presents,  was  the  effect  of  private  intrigue.* 

The  primary  division  of  the  province  into  three  counties,  Albe- 
marle, Bath,  and  Clarendon,  was  in  1738  abolished;  the  precincts 
were  now  called  counties,  and  a  sheriff  appointed  for  each,  chosen 
by  the  governor,  out  of  three  persons  recommended  by  the  county 
court  for  this  purpose. 

In  February  1742,  six  northern  counties  refused  to  pay  taxes, 
owing  to  their  dissatisfaction  as  to  the  representation  of  members 
for  the  Assembly.     Jurors  refused  to  attend  courts. f 

France  having  declared  war  against  England  (1744),  the  defence- 
less seaboard  of  North  Carolina  received  the  attention  of  the  Legis- 
lature. A  fort  was  ordered  to  be  built  sufficient  to  mount  twenty- 
four  pieces  of  cannon,  on  the  south  bank  of  Cape  Fear,  by  the 
Legislature  which  met  at  Newbern  about  1745,  and  was  called,  in 
honor  of  the  governor,  Fort  Johnston. 

Li  1749,  a  printing  press  was  imported  into  the  province  by 
James  Davis,  from  Virginia. J 

The  people  known  as  Unitas  Fratrum,  or  United  Brethren,  ob- 
tained an  act  of  Parliament  authorizing  them  to  establish  settle- 
ments on  the  American  Provinces.  They  purchased  of  Lord 
Granville,  one  hundred  thousand  acres  between  Dan  and  Yadkin, 
and  named  it  Wachovia,  after  an  estate  of  Count  Zinzendorff  in 
Austria.  This  land  was  conveyed  to  James  Hutton,  who  was  Secre- 
tary to  the  United  Brethren,  in  trust  for  the  brethren.  During 
our  Revolution  (1776)  it  was  conveyed  by  Hutton  to  Marshal,  and 
by  act  of  our  General  Assembly  in  1782,  secured  to  the  proper 
owners. 

1749.  Emigrants  from  west  of  Scotland  flocked  to  the  Cape  Fear 
about  this  period. 

The  boundary  line  between  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  which 
had  been  run  from  the  sea  shore  to  Peter's  Creek,  which  falls  into 
Dan  River,  near  the  Sauratowns,  was  continued  this  year  to  the 
Holstein  River,  opposite  to  a  place  called  Steep  Rock.  The  com- 
missioners of  Virginia  were  Joshua  Fay  and  Peter  Jefferson;  those 
of  North  Carolina,  William  Churton  and  Daniel  Weldon. 

The  computation  of  time  was  this  year  (1750)  altered  by  act  of 
Parliament.  Hitherto,  the  year  commenced  in  March.  The  day 
following  the  2d  September  1752,  was  reckoned  the  14th,  omitting 
eleven  days. 

The  first  revisal  of  the  colonial  laws  was  made  this  year  (1752) 
in  a  small  folio  volume;  it  received  the  nickname  of  "Yellow 
Jacket,"  from  the  yellow  hue  of  its  binding. 

*  Williamson,  ii.  54. 

f  JIanuscript  (lociuuGiits  from  office   of  Board  of  Trade  in  London;  pro- 
cured through  Hon.  George  Bancroft,  late  envoy  at  that  court. 
%  Martin,  ii.  54. 


niSTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  45 

Governor  Johnston's  official  dispatch  to  the  Duke  of  New  Castle, 
dated  April,  1739,  states  "that  having  called  a  new  Assembly,  they 
had  passed  many  beneficial  laws.  One,  granting  the  king  a  rent  roll; 
one  for  the  improvement  of  trade  ;  one  for  speedy  administration  of 
justice.  That,  after  five  years'  struggle,  during  which  no  means  had 
been  left  unattempted  to  induce  him  to  depart  from  his  instructions, 
he  had  brought  matters  in  this  unhappy  country  to  system,  where 
disorder  had  before  reigned,  and  placed  it  on  a  firm  foundation."* 

Under  the  administration  of  Governor  Johnston,  the  province 
increased  in  population,  wealth,  and  happiness.  At  the  time  of  the 
purchase  by  the  crown,  its  population  did  not  exceed  thirteen  thou- 
sand ;  it  now  was  upwards  of  forty-five  thousand. 

Its  exports  were  61,528  barrels  of  tar ;  12,055  barrels  of  pitch ; 
10,429  barrels  of  turpentine;  762,000  staves;  61,580  bushels  of 
corn ;  100,000  hogsheads  of  tobacco,  besides  pork,  beef,  bacon,  lard, 
and  other  commodities. 

Governor  Johnston  died  this  year,  August,  1752,  after  presiding 
over  the  province  for  nearly  twenty  years. 

He  deserves  the  gratitude  of  every  citizen  of  the  State  as  a 
statesman,  a  scholar,  and  patriot.  While  these  pages  feebly  present 
his  services  to  the  State,  his  name  is  preserved  in  calling  the  patri- 
otic and  public  spirited  county  of  Johnston  in  honor  to  his  memory. 

On  his  death,  the  administration  devolved  on  Nathaniel  Rice,  the 
first  councillor  named  in  the  king's  commission,  who  dying  in  Janu- 
ary following,  was  succeeded  by  Matthew  Rowan,  the  next  coun- 
cillor, who  qualified  at  Wilmington  on  the  1st  of  February,,  1754, 
and  met  the  Legislature  at  Newborn,  on  the  23d  of  March  following. 

Nothing  of  exciting  interest  occurred  during  the  administration 
of  President  Rowan,  save,  the  issuing  of  forty  thousand  pounds  in 
bills  of  credit ;  the  erection  of  a  county  in  honor  of  his  name,  and 
the  liberal  appropriation  of  many  towards  building  churches  and 
purchasing  glebe  lands  to  support  its  ministers. 

Rowan's  official  dispatch  to  the  Duke  of  New  Castle,  states  (1754) 
that  he  had  received  a  requisition  from  Virginia  for  military  aid ; 
that  he  had  sent  nine  hundred  and  fifty  efi"ective  men. 

The  colony  then  had  a  population,  as  stated  by  Rowan,  of 
militia,  15,400;  exempts,  1,000;  outposts,  1,500;  slaves,  10,000. 

Governor  Dinwiddie,  of  Virginia,  sent  an  express  to  President 
Rowan  of  the  alarming  movements  of  the  French  on  the  Ohio,  and 
that  George  Washington  had  been  sent  thither  to  examine  and 
report ;  that  he  had  ascertained  the  French  had  taken  post  on  one 
of  the  branches  of  that  river,  built  a  fort,  and  engaged  the  Indians 
to  join  them.     He  desired  the  aid  of  men  from  North  Carolina. 

The  President  issued  his  proclamation  for  the  Legislature  to 
assemble  at  Wilmington  on  the  19th  of  February,  1754,  who  met 

*  iv^S.  documents  from  London  relating  to  Carolina,  from  16G2  to  1769, 
procurL'l  by  kindness  of  lion.  George  Bancroft,  late  envoy  from  United  States 
lo  Englau.l. 


46  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

and  appropriated  one  thousand  pounds  to  the  raising  and  paying 
such  troops  as  might  be  raised  to  send  to  the  aid  of  Virginia. 

Colonel  James  Innes,  of  New  Hanover,  marched  at  the  head  of 
a  detachment,  and  joined  the  troops  raised  by  Virginia  and  Mary- 
land. But  no  provision  being  made  by  Virginia  for  supplies  or 
conveniences,  the  expedition  was  countermanded,  and  Colonel  Innes 
returned  with  his  men  to  North  Carolina.  - 


CHAPTER   VII. 


FROM  1754  TO  1765. 


Arthur  Dobbs,  governor  (1754) — His  conduct — His  officers — People  seize 
and  imprison  Lord  Granville's  agent — Courts  of  law  held  in  each  district, 
1762 — On  the  death  of  Dobbs  (1765)  Tryon  succeeds. 

Arthur  Dobbs  was  appointed  Governor  by  the  crown  in  1754, 
and  in  the  fall  he  arrived  at  Newborn. 

Governor  Dobbs  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  a  man  of  letters  and 
liberal  views.  He  had  been  a  member  of  the  L-ish  Parliament,  and 
distinguished  for  his  attempts  to  discover,  through  the  Hudson  Bay 
Company,  a  north-west  passage  to  Japan,  China,  and  India. 

He  brought,  as  an  acceptable  oblation,  several  pieces  of  cannon 
and  one  thousand  firelocks,  a  present  from  the  king  to  the  colony. 

He  brought  to  the  colony  a  more  powerful  advocate  for  rights  of 
the  people,  than  arms.  Rice,  a  printer,  is  encouraged  to  carry  on 
his  business. 

In  an  official  dispatch  (December,  1757)  Governor  Dobbs  gives 
a  wretched  account  of  the  state  of  quit-rents,  misconduct  of  Ruther- 
ford and  Mui-ray,  who  raised  factions  against  the  Governor,  and  a 
curious  record  of  "Mr.  Starky,  the  treasui'er,  who  governs  many  in 
the  Assembly  by  lending  them  money."* 

Governor  Dobbs  was  qualified  at  Newbern  on  1st  of  November, 
1754.  He  was  accompanied  by  a  number  of  his  relations,  who 
had  hopes  of  offices  and  preferments. 

He  adopted  measm-es  to  conciliate  the  Indian  tribes,  now  import- 
ant by  the  advances  of  the  French  on  the  Ohio.  He  commissioned 
Colonel  Hugh  Waddell,  of  Rowan  County,  to  treat  with  the  Catawbas 
and  Cherokees. 

"A  storm,  or  hurricane,  happened  in  North  Carolina,  which 
began  on  Monday,  September  20,  1761,  and  continued  till  Friday 
following,  but  raged  with,  most  violence  on  the  23d. 

"  Many  houses  were  thrown  down,  and  all  the  vessels,  except  one, 

*  MS.  papers  relative  to  Carolina  (tempus  Geo.  II.)  procured  from  offices 
in  London,  through  Hon.  George  Bancroft,  late  envoy  to  that  court. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  47 

in  Cape  Fear  River,  driven  on  shore.  It  forced  open  a  new  chan- 
nel for  that  river,  at  a  place  called  the  Haul-Over,  hetween  the 
Cedar  House  and  the  Bald  Head.  This  new  channel  was  found 
on  soundings  to  he  eighteen  feet  deep  at  high  water,  and  is  near 
half  a  mile  wide."* 

Governor  Dohhs'  administration  of  ten  years  was  a  continued 
contest  between  himself  and  the  Legislature  on  matters  frivolous 
and  unimportant.  A  high-toned  temper  for  royal  prerogatives  on 
his  part,  and  an  indomitable  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  colonists. 
One  incident  will  prove  the  spirit  and  conduct  of  both  parties. 

A  bill  had  been  introduced  in  the  upper  House  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  printer  to  the  province,  and  rejected  by  the  other.  The 
governor  announced  to  the  lower  House  that  he  had  appointed  An- 
drew Steuart  printer  to  the  king,  and  required  them  to  make  pro- 
vision for  his  salary.  The  House  replied  that  they  knew  no  such 
office,  and  of  no  such  duty.f 

Superior  courts  of  justice  were  established  in  the  districts  of 
Edenton,  Newbern,  Wilmington,  Halifax,  and  Salisbury,  to  be 
held  semi-annually  by  the  chief  justice  and  one  associate. 

The  people  were  much  oppressed  by  Lord  Granville's  agents. 
They  seized  Corbin,  his  agent,  who  lived  below  Edenton,'  and  brought 
him  to  Enfield,  where  he  was  compelled  to  give  bond  and  security, 
to  produce  his  books,  and  disgorge  his  illegal  fees. 

Governor  Dobbs  died  at  his  seat  on  Town  Creek,  28th  March, 
1765,  in  the  82d  year  of  his  age. 

The  persons  who  composed  his  council  during  his  administration 
were  James  Hassel,  Mathew  Rowan,  James  Murray,  Francis  Corbin, 
John  Dawson,  Lewis  H.  DeRossett,  John  Rieusett,  James  Jones, 
John  Swann,  John  Rutherford,  Richard  Spaight,  Edward  B.  Dobbs, 
Charles  Berry,  John  Sampson,  Henry  E.  McCullock,  Alexander 
McCullock,  William  Day,  Robert  Palmer,  and  Benjamin  Herron, 

The  judges  were  James  Hassell,  Peter  Henly,  Charles  Berry, 
George  Nicholas,  Joseph  Anderson,  and  Charles  Elliott.  Thomas 
Childs,  Attorney-General. 

*  London  Majr.,  Dec.  1761.  f  Martin,  ii.  189. 


48  HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

FROM  1765  TO  1771. 

Tryon's  administration  from  April,  1765  to  July,  1771 ;  his  character— Early 
resistance  of  the  Mecklenburg  people— John  Ashe  and  the  Stamp  Act, 
1765— Paper  seized— Conduct  of  the  people  of  New  Hanover,  1766— Duel 
between  Captain  Simpson,  of  his  majesty's  sloop-of-war  the  Yiper,  and 
Lieutenant  Whitechurst,  a  relative  of  Mrs.  Tryon,  in  which  Whitechurst 
is  killed— Suicide  of  Chief  Justice  Berry— Repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act — 
Palace  for  the  governor  ;  a  description  of  its  splendor— Regulation  troubles 
commence,  1766— Herman  Husbands;  his  character — Colonel  Edmund 
Fanning,  of  Orange;  his  character— People  of  Anson  County  and  Rowan 
sympathize  with  the  Regulators— Tryon's  expedition  to  Mecklenburg  and 
Rowan— He  raises  a  body  of  troops,  and  marches  to  Hillsboro'— Fanning 
indicted  and  convicted— Husbands  indicted  and  acquitted  by  the  jury- 
Judge  Moore,  in  Rowan,  cannot  hold  court— Sheriff  of  Orange  resisted  by 
the  'Regulators  and  beaten — Sheriff  of  Dobbs  resisted,  and  one  of  his 
deputies  killed— Court  at  Hillsboro'  broke  up  by  the  Regulators— Judge 
Henderson  retreats — Fanning  and  John  Williams  beaten  by  the  Regulators 
— Governor  marches  against  the  Regulators  in  strong  force — Battle  of 
Alamance,  May  16,  1771— Regulators  defeated— First  blood  of  the  colonists 
shed  in  these  United  States  by  royal  troops— Tryon  marches  to  join  Wad- 
del,  as  far  as  Jersey  settlement,  in  Davidson— Tryon  returns  to  Hillsboro', 
where  court  is  held,  and  six  of  the  Regulators  are  hanged— Tryon  em- 
barks, June  30,  1771,  to  New  York,  to  which  colony  he  had  been,  appointed 
governor. 

The  conduct  of  the  mother  country  towards  these  colonies,  in 
the  eloquent  denunciations  of  Lord  Chatham,  was  that  of  "an  un- 
just and  cruel  stepmother  towards  her  helpless  children;"  disre- 
garding their  complaints,  and  adding  injuries  to  insults. 

Towards  North  Carolina,  the  course  of  England  was  more  like 
that  of  the  father  of  the  faithful,  driving  her,  Hagar-like,  into  the 
wilderness,  there  to  pine  and  perish  from  neglect.  It  is  not  won- 
derful then,  that  her  sons,  like  Ishmael,  should  be  ready  to  raise 
their  hands  against  every  form  of  oppression.  But  the  God  of 
Abraham  protected  the  exiles,  and  blessed  them  with  fair  and  fruit- 
ful lands,  refreshing  shades,  and  gushing  fountains ;  the  promise 
was  also  unto  them  "  to  make  a  great  nation,  because  they  too  were 
of  the  promised  seed." 

The  people  of  North  Carolina  had  now  become  numerous, 
and  attracted  attention.  The  government,  to  aid  the  administra- 
tion of  Governor  Dobbs  (never,  in  his  palmiest  day,  favored  with 
any  extraordinary  powers  of  intellect  or  energy  of  character),  now 
infirm  and  passed  eighty  years  of  age,  sent  William  Tryon  to 
North  Carolina  with  a  commission  as  lieutenant-governor.  He 
arrived  27th  October,  1764. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  49 

Governor  Dobbs  was  not  in  haste  to  resign  the  reins  of  power ; 
but  death,  a  mightier  monarch  than  any  earthly  potentate,  dis- 
missed him. 

In  the  town  of  Wilmington,  on  the  3d  of  April,  1765,  William 
Tryon  qualified  as  Commander-in-chief,  and  Captain-General  of 
the  Province  of  North  Carolina. 

Governor  Tryon  was  a  soldier  by  profession.  Trained  to  arms, 
he  looked  upon  the  sword  as  the  true  sceptre  of  government.  Yet 
with  the  character  of  the  soldier,  he  mingled  that  of  the  politician. 
He  knew  when  to  flatter  and  when  to  threaten.  He  knew  when 
"discretion  was  the  better  part  of  valor;"  and  when  to  use  such 
force  and  cruelty  as  achieved  for  him,  from  the  Cherokee  Indians, 
the  bloody  title  of  the  "Great  Wolf  of  North  Carolina."  He 
could  use  courtesy  towards  the  Assembly  when  he  desired  large 
appropriations  for  his  magnificent  palace;  and  knew  how  to  bring 
to  bear  the  blandishments  of  the  female  society  of  his  family,  and 
all  the  appliances  of  generous  hospitality.  While  his  character 
shows  that  on  the  banks  of  the  Alamance,  when  "  the  blast  of  war 
blew  in  his  ears,"  he  could,  by  his  ferocious  and  bloody  conduct, 
"imitate  the  action  of  the  tiger."  After  passing  the  scenes  which 
we  shall  record,  for  six  years,  during  which  time  he  ruled  the 
State  with  the  temper  of  a  despot  and  the  rod  of  a  tyrant,  he  was 
transferred  as  governor  to  the  colony  of  New  York. 
'  That  William  Tryon  was  a  man  of  some  ability  and  military 
talents  is  true.  But  his  conduct  in  this  State,  and  subsequently  in 
New  York,  proved  him  devoid  of  all  principles  of  humanity.  "I 
should,"  said  he,  in  New  York,  in  1777,  "had  I  more  authority, 
burn  every  committee-man's  house  within  my  reach ;  and,  in  order 
to  purge  the  country  of  them,  I  will  give  twenty-five  silver  dollars 
for  every  acting  committee-man,  who  shall  be  delivered  up  to  the 
king's  troops."*  He  was  succeeded  in  New  York,  in  1780,  by 
General  Robinson.  Of  his  subsequent  career,  and  time  and  place 
of  his  death  we  are  not  advised. 

One  redeeming  trait  appears  in  his  character,  but  this  was  not 
owing  to  any  virtue  in  the  man,  but  was  the  efi'ect  of  his  profession 
as  a  soldier.  He  Avas  free  from  all  religious  intolerance,  as  he  was 
destitute  of  any  religious  principles. 

We  have  seen,  that  during  the  administration  of  Governor  Daniel, 
North  Carolina  had  been  oppressed  by  bigotry,  under  the  cloak  of 
religion.  In  1741  it  was  enacted  that  the.  freeholders  of  every 
parish  should,  every  Easter  Monday,  choose  twelve  vestrymen,  who 
should  lay  a  tax  of  five  shillings  per  poll  for  building  churches, 
buying  glebes,  and  maintaining  clergymen,  whose  salaries  should 
be  fifty  pounds  sterling.  This  salary  was  increased  by  law  to  one 
hundred  and  thirty-three  pounds,  six  shillings,  and  eight  pence. 
The  fee  of  a  clergyman  for  marrying  was  ten  shillings,  by  license ; 

*  Sabine's  History  of  the  Loyalists,  G53. 


50  HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLINA. 

this  license  to  be  issued  by  the  governor  through  the  clerks  of  the 
superior  courts.  Each  vestryman  took  an  oath  "not  to  oppose  the 
doctrine,  discipline,  and  litingy  of  the  Church  of  England."* 

Governor  Tryon  first  met  the  Assembly  in  the  town  of  Wilming- 
ton, on  the  3d  of  May,  1765.  In  his  address  he  opposed  all  reli- 
gious intolerance,  although  he  recommended  provision  for  the  clergy 
out  of  the  public  treasury ;  yet  advised  the  members  of  the  Church 
of  England  of  the  folly  of  attempting  to  establish  it  by  legal  enact- 
ments. Under  such  recommendations,  a  law  was  passed  legalizing 
the  marriages  (which  before  were  denounced  as  illegal)  performed 
by  Presbyterian  ministers,  and  authorizing  them  and  other  dissent- 
ing clergymen  to  perform  that  rite. 

Governor  Tryon  entered  upon  his  duties  at  a  stormy  period. 
The  cloud,  which  Avas  then  "not  larger  than  a  man's  hand,"  subse- 
quently spread  over  the  whole  nation,  and  gathered  such  force  in 
its  progress,  that  when  it  burst,  it  dissolved  the  colonies  from  all 
allegiance  to  the  British  crown. 

Governor  Tryon  had  early  some  slight  intimation  of  the  charac- 
ter of  the  people  over  whom  he  was  to  rule.  Soon  after  his  acces- 
sion to  office,  the  people  of  the  chivalric  county  of  Mecklenburg,  so 
distinguished,  as  we  shall  soon  see,  during  the  administration  of  his 
successor,  for  independence,  opposed  Henry  Eustace  McCullock, 
who  was  the  agent  of  George  A.  Selwyn.  Selwyn  had  obtained  by 
some  means,  large  grants  of  land  from  the  English  crown.  John 
Frohawk  was  employed  to  locate  these  grants  and  survey  them. 
The  people  of  Mecklenburg,  in  arms,  seized  the  surveyor  and  com- 
pelled him  to  desist. t  This  was  the  first  buzzing  of  that  "Hornets' 
Nest"  that  afterwards  so  fatally  stung  the  power  of  royalty. 

The  British  Parliament  had  resolved  to  tax  the  paper  and  other 
articles  used  in  the  colonies.  This  iniquitous  enactment  received 
the  Royal  sanction  22d  ]March,  1765.  The  patriotic  and  eloquent 
remonstrances  of  William  Pitt,  afterwards  Lord  Chatham,  were  un- 
availing. He  declared  on  the  floor  of  Parliament  (January  1766), 
that  the  stamp  act  should  be  repealed  absolutely^  totally  and  imme- 
diately^ because  it  proceeded  on  an  erroneous  principle,  that  of 
taking  the  money  of  the  colonists  without  their  consent. 

This  act  produced  a  violent  excitement  throughout  the  whole 
country,  and  in  none  more  than  in  North  Carolina. 

The  Legislatm-e  was  then  in  session,  and  such  was  the  excite- 
ment this  odious  measui-e  of  Parliament  created  amonof  the  mem- 
hers,  that  apprehending  some  violent  expression  of  popular  indig- 
nation, Governor  Tryon,  on  the  18th  of  May,  prorogued  that  body 
after  a  session  of  fifteen  days. 

The  speaker  of  the  House,  John  Ashe,  Esq.,  informed  Governor 
Tryon  that  this  law  would  be  resisted  to  blood  and  death. 

Governor  TrA'on  knew  that  the  storm  raged;  courajreous  as  he 
was,  he  dreaded  its  fui-y.     He  did  not  allow  the  Legislature  to  meet 

*  AYilliamson,  ii.  117.  f  Martin,  ii.  193. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  51 

daring  the  existence  of  this  act.  But  faithful  to  the  government,  he 
condescended  to  use  the  arts  of  the  demagogue,  to  avoid  the  odium 
of  its  measures.  He  mingled  freely  with  the  people,  displaying 
profuse  hospitality,  and  prepared  dinners  and  feasts.  But  unawed 
by  power,  the  people  were  not  to  be  seduced  by  blandishments. 

Early  in  the  3"ear  1765,  the  Diligence,  a  sloop-of-war,  arrived  in 
the  Cape  Fear  River  with  stamp  paper  for  the  use  of  the  colony. 

Colonel  John  Ashe,  of  the  county  of  New  Hanover,  and  Colonel 
Waddell,  of  the  county  of  Brunswick,  marched  at  the  head  of  the 
brave  sons  of  these  counties,  to  Brunswick,  before  which  town  the 
Diligence  was  anchored,  terrified  the  captain,  so  that  no  attempt 
was  made  to  land  the  paper;  seized  the  sloop  of  war's  boat,  hoisted 
it  on  a  cart,  fixed  a  mast  in  her,  mounted  a  flag,  and  marched  in 
triumph  to  Wilmington.  The  whole  town  joined  in  a  splendid 
illumination  at  night,  and  the  next  day  these  patriotic  citizens  went 
to  the  Governor's  House,  and  "bearded  the  Douglas  in  his  castle." 
They  demanded  of  Governor  Tryon,  to  desist  from  all  attempts  to 
execute  the  stamp  act,  and  produce  to  them  James  Houston,  who 
was  a  member  of  the  council,  an  inmate  of  the  Governor's  House, 
and  who  had  been  appointed  by  Tryon,  Stamp  ]\Iaster  for  North 
Carolina.  The  Governor  at  first  refused  a  demand  so  tumultuously 
made.  But  the  haughty  spirit  of  the  representative  of  even  kingly 
power,  yielded  before  the  power  of  a  virtuous  and  incensed  people ; 
for  the  people  prepared  to  burn  up  the  palace,  and  with  it  the 
Governor,  the  Stamp  Master,  and  the  menials  of  royal  power. 

The  Governor  then  reluctantly  produced  Houston ;  who  was 
seized  by  the  people,  carried  to  the  public  market  house,  and  there 
forced  to  take  a  solemn  oath  not  to  attempt  to  execute  his  office  as 
stamp  master.  After  this,  he  was  released.  He  returned  to  the 
palace,  to  comfort  his  dejected  and  discomfited  master.  The  peo- 
ple gave  three  cheers  and  quietly  dispersed. 

Here  is  an  act  of  North  Carolinians  "  worthy  of  all  Grecian  or 
Roman  fame." 

The  famous  Tea  party  of  Boston,  when  a  number  of  citizens  dis- 
guised as  Indians,  went  on  board  of  a  ship  in  the  harbor,  and  threw 
overboard  the  tea  imported  in  her,  has  been  celebrated  by  every 
writer  of  our  National  History,  and 

"  Pealed  and  chimed  on  every  tongue  of  fame." 

Our  children  are  taught  to  read  it  in  their  early  lessons ;  it  adorns 
the  picture  books  of  our  nui'series,  and  is  known  in  the  remotest 
borders  of  the  republic. 

Here  is  an  act  of  the  sons  of  the  "  old  North  State,"  not  com- 
mitted on  the  harmless  carriers  of  the  freight,  or  crew  of  a  vessel ; 
not  done  under  any  disguise  or  mask;  but  on  the  representative  of 
royalty  itself,  occupying  a  palace,  and  in  open  day,  by  men 
of  "ft  pil  known  person  and  reputation ;  much  more  decided  in  its 
character,  more  daring  in  its  action,  more  important  in  its  results ; 
and  yet  not  one-half  of  her  own  sons  have  ever  read  of  this  ex- 


52  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

ploit ;  it  is  not  even  recorded  anywhere  in  the  pages  of  Williamson, 
who  is  one  of  her  historians,  and  who  was  one  of  the  delegates  from 
North  Carolina  to  the  Convention,  which  formed  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States ;  and  its  story  is  confined  to  the  limits  of  "  our 
own  pent  up  Utica." 

Truly  has  a  late  writer,  who  has  examined  our  ecclesiastical  his- 
tory with  laudable  care  (and  who  is  a  resident  and  native  of  another 
State),  been  compelled  to  say,  that  "  Men  will  not  be  fully  able  to 
understand  North  Carolina  till  they  have  opened  the  treasures  of 
liistory,*  and  become  familiar  with  the  doings  of  her  sons,  previous 
to  the  Revolution  ;  during  that  painful  struggle  ;  and  the  succeed- 
ing years  of  prosperity."  Then  will  North  Carolina  be  respected 
as  she  is  known. 

"  These  are  deeds  which  should  not  pass  away, 

And  names  that  must  not  wither,  tho'  the  earth 
Forgets  her  empires  with  a  just  decay, 

The  enslavers  and  enslaved,  their  death  and  birth." 

The  names  of  those  who  figured  in  these  trying  scenes  are  still 
preserved  in  North  Carolina  by  their  descendants,  who  are  distin- 
guished, as  were  their  ancestors,  by  their  intellect  and  proprieties 
of  life.  Should  an  opportunity  occur,  and  the  country  call  for 
their  services,  influenced  by  these  noble  recollections,  they  too  will 
be  ready  to  make  the  same  exertions  and  sacrifices  for  the  happi- 
ness, welfare,  and  honor  of  North  Carolina. 

Governor  Tryon,  with  unwearied  perseverance,  earnestly  endea- 
vored to  propitiate  the  feelings  of  the  leaders  of  the  people.  He 
implored  their  forbearance,  and  supplicated  their  kind  advice  to 
enable  him  to  administer  the  government,  while  secretly  he  was 
preparing  for  them  the  severest  punishments  from  the  government 
at  home.  Failing  in  this,  he  resorted  to  the  masses  of  the  people, 
and  was  the  most  conspicuous  and  obsequious  at  all  public  meetings. 
But  even  here  he  was  destined  to  disappointment,  and  to  meet  with 
discomfiture  and  disgrace  while  the  odious  stamp  act  was  in  force. 

At  a  general  muster  of  the  militia  of  New  Hanover,  February 
1766,  the  governor  had  prepared  a  whole  ox  to  be  barbecued, 
and  had  several  barrels  of  beer  unheaded.  After  the  muster, 
he  invited  the  people  to  partake.  The  people  rushed  in  a  body 
to  the  tables,  overthrew  the  barrels  and  spilled  the  liquor  on  the 
ground,  and  threw  the  ox  into  the  river  untasted.  The  efiect  of 
this  was  electrical.  Tryon  and  his  suite  retired  from  the  ground 
deeply  mortified  and  chagrined.  This  behavior  was  not  confined 
to  private  citizens,  but  extended  to  even  the  officers  of  the  govern- 
ment, some  of  whom  sympathized  deeply  with  the  people. 

At  this  time  a  duel  occurred  between  Alexander  Simpson,  master 
of  his  Majesty's  sloop-of-war,  the  Viper,  and  Thomas  Whitechurst, 
lieutenant  of  the  same.     The  quarrel  was  connected  with  the  poli- 

*  Sketches  of  North  Carolina,  by  Rev.  ^Y.  H.  Foote,  of  Romney,  Virginia. 
New  York,  184G,  p.  83. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  53 

tics  of  tlie  day — Captain  Simpson  sympathizing  with  the  colonists ; 
Whitechurst,  a  relative  of  Mrs.  Ti-yon,  advocating  the  conduct  of 
the  Governor.  The  latter  was  killed  in  the  affair.  The  Governor 
caused  the  Captain  to  be  apprehended. 

He  was  tried  before  Judge  Berry,  and  acquitted,  after  a  fair  and 
impartial  trial.*  The  imperious  and  despotic  Try  on  was  here  foiled 
by  those  whom  he  thought  he  could  influence.  He  insinuated  that 
the  Judge  connived  in  the  case,  and  summoned  him,  while  on  the 
Edenton  circuit,  to  attend  the  Council  Board. 

The  character  of  Judge  Berry  was  above  suspicion.  He  knew, 
or  believed,  that  Governor  Tryon  would  attempt  to  inculpate  him 
with  the  government  at  home,  in  the  unhappy  and  disordered  state 
of  the  colony.  He  obeyed  the  summons,  and  attended  the  Governor, 
who  received  him  very  coldly.  This  confirmed  his  suspicions  that 
he  was  to  be  impeached  and  removed  ;  and,  under  the  agony  of  such 
a  state  of  feeling,  in  the  frenzy  of  the  moment,  he  committed 
suicide,  by  ripping  open  his  bowels  with  his  penknife.  Tryon  was 
as  much  the  murderer  of  this  talented  and  amiable  man  as  he  was 
afterwards  of  many  others,  equally  innocent  in  the  affair  of  Ala- 
mance. 

The  courage  of  the  Governor  was  not  sufficient  to  allow  him  to 
face  the  representatives  of  the  people  during  the  existence  of  the 
stamp  act.  "Writs  had  been  issued,  and  the  legislative  body  was 
to  meet  in  April.  But,  fearing  some  popular  outbreak,  the  Governor, 
in  February,  prorogued  the  General  Assembly  to  meet  on  the  30th 
October,  1765. 

The  indignation  of  the  people  became  so  great,  and  the  excite- 
ment so  intense,  that  the  British  Parliament  yielded.  The  stamp 
act  was  repealed  March,  1766.  On  the  25th  of  June,  the  Governor 
issued  his  proclamation  announcing  the  same. 

This  produced  great  joy  among  the  people  of  North  Carolina. 
The  Assembly  which  met  in  October,  1766,  voted  a  liberal  appro- 
priation for  building  the  Governor  a  house,  which  was  suitable  to  a 
prince  of  the  blood  royal,  and  erected  a  county  from  Mecklenburg, 
called  Tryon,  in  his  honor.  This  county  has  since  been  divided 
into  Lincoln  and  Rutherford,  and  the  odious  name  of  Tryon  ex- 
punged. 

The  scheme  of , erecting  a  palace  seemed  to  be  a  favorite  object 
with  the  Governor,  and  to  it  he  devoted  all  the  intrigue  of  the 
politician  and  the  boldness  of  the  soldier.  The  Assembly  had 
already  voted  £5000,  to  which,  the  next  year  (1767),  they  voted 
an  additional  £10,000  sterling. 

To  a  people  in  an  infant  state  of  society,  with  but  few  resources 
and  less  money,  this  determination  of  the  Governor  to  gratify  Ins 
vanity  was  productive  of  disastrous  consequences.  The  buil.ling 
WLS   located    at  Newborn,  and  was  said  to   be  superior  to  any- 

*  Martin,  vol.  ii.  212.  Jones,  in  his  dofonce  (30);  says  that  the  suryivor 
was  condemned,  but  escaped,  and  lied  to  England. 


54  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

thing  of  the  kind  in  America.  Judge  Martin*  says  that  he  visited 
this  edifice  in  1783,  with  General  Miranda  of  South  America, 
who  stated,  that  even  in  South  America,  a  hmd  of  palaces,  it 
had  no  equal.  It  was  dedicated  to  Sir  William  Draper,  who 
was  said  to  be  the  author  of  the  lines  placed  over  the  door  of  the 
entrance : — 

"Rege  pio,  (lira  inimica  tyrannis 
Vertuti  has  asdes  libera  terra  dedit. 
Sint  domus  et  dominus  sa3clis  exempla  futuris 
Hie  artes,  mores,  jura  legesque  colant."t 

But  its  princely  halls  aiforded  but  little  repose  to  its  ambitious 
occupant. 

Heavy  expenses  had  been  also  incurred  by  the  Governor  in  run- 
ning the  boundary  line  between  the  Cherokee  Indians  and  the 
State.    . 

•Taxes  were  necessarily  increased  upon  a  people  already  impatient 
of  oppression,  and  the  extortion  of  the  officers  in  shape  of  illegal 
fees,  roused  the  free  spirits  of  Orange,  Granville,  and  other  coun- 
ties to  require  redress  and  reform. 

The  conduct  of  the  crown  officers,  from  the  Governor  down  to  the 
lowest  bailiif  of  the  court,  Avas  a  system  of  oppression,  extortion, 
and  fraud. 

In  Governor  Dobbs's  time,  these  grievances  were  complained  of; 
and  these  complaints  had  reached  the  throne.  The  Governor  Avas 
ordered  to  have  a  list,  or  table  of  fees  set  up  in  every  public  office. 
But,  while  this  "promise  was  kept  to  the  ear,  it  was  broken  to  the 
hope,." 

At  the  August  session  of  Orange  County  (1766),  a  paper  was 
presented  to  the  court  by  a  number  of  persons,  which  was  read  by 
the  clerk.  It  stated  "that  while  the  sons  of  liberty  had  withstood 
the  lords  of  Parliament  in  behalf  of  true  liberty,  the  officers  under 
them  ought  not  to  carry  on  an  unjust  oppression  in  the  province ; 
that  in  order  thereto,  as  there  were  many  evils  complained  of  in 
the  County  of  Orange,  they  ought  to  be  redressed.  If  there  were 
none,  jealousy  ought  to  be  removed  from  the  minds  of  the  people." 
The  paper  proposed  that  there  should  be  a  meeting  of  the  people 
in  each  captain's  district,  appointing  one  or  more  to  attend  a  general 
meeting,  on  tlie  Monday  before  the  next  court,  at  some  suitable 
place  [ivhere  there  should  he  no  liquor),  "to  inquire  whether  the 
freemen  of  the  county  labored  under  any  abuse  of  power,  and  mea- 
sures taken  for  amendment,  if  so." 

This  was  so  reasonable  a  proposal  that  it  was  agreed  to,  and 
Maddock's  Mill  was  selected  and  the  time  fixed  (October  10, 1766). 

The  convention  met  at  the  time  and  place  appointed,  and  re- 

*  Martin,  ii.  265. 

t  Translated  thus:  "  A  free  and  happy  people,  opposed  to  cruel  tyrants, 
has  given  this  edifice  to  virtue.  May  the  house  and  its  inmate,  as  an  exam- 
ple for  future  ages,  here  cultivate  the  arts,  order,  justice,  and  the  laws/* 
How  complete  a  burlesque  upon  its  origin,  object,  and  tendency! 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  65 

solved,  "  that  it  was  necessary  such  meetings  should  occur  yearly, 
or  oftener  if  necessary,  for  free  and  public  discussion;  that  the 
representatives  of  the  people  should  attend,  and  give  an  account 
of  the  amount  of  taxes  and  manner  of  appropriation." 

In  April  1768,  they  again  assembled  and  formed  themselves 
into  an  association  for  regulating  public  grievances  and  abuse  of 
power.     Hence    the   name   given  to   them   of  Regulators.     They 
resolved  "to  pay  only  such  taxes  as  were  agreeable  to  law,  and  ap- 
plied to  the  purpose  therein  named,  to  pay  no  officer  more  than  his 
legal  fees."     These  men  herein  breathed  the  true  spirit  of  liberty; 
yet,  by  the  early  historians  of  the  State,  are  stamped  as  insurgents 
and  factionists.     Jones  even  denounces  the  head  of  the  Regulators, 
Herman  Husbands,  as  a  "turbulent  and  seditious  character."*     If 
he  was,  then  John  Ashe  was,  for  opposing  the  stamp  law,  equally 
turbulent  and  equally  seditious.     Doubtless,  to  minions  of  royalty, 
his  character  was  seditious ;  but  time,  that  unerring  test  of  prin- 
ciples and  truth,  has  proved  that  the  spirit  of  liberty  which  animated 
Husbands,  was  the  true  spirit  Avhich  subsequently  freed  our  nation 
from  foreign  oppression.  He  lived  on  Sandy  Creek,  now  in  Randolph 
County,  and  was  an  extensive  landholder.     He  was  from  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  was  raised  a  Quaker,  and  a  relation  of  Dr.  Benjamin 
Tranklin.     I  have  examined  carefully  his  correspondence  and  his 
book,  giving  "  an  impartial  account  of  the  troubles  of  the  regulation." 
They  prove  that  he  was,  although  deficient  in.  education,  a  man  who 
felt  strongly,  and  expressed  himself  forcibly.     Many  of  his  neigh- 
bors speak  of  him  as  a  man  of  strict  integrity,  a  firm  advocate  of 
popular  rights,  and  a  determined  foe  to  oppression  and  extortion. 
Undeserved  wrong  and  official  oppression  may  have  driven  hini  to 
imprudences,  but  the  purity  of  his  character  was  above  suspicion. 
From  his  pen  proceeded  the  paper  read  to  the  court  in  Orange,  the 
resolutions  of  the  Haddock's  Mill  Convention  were  his ;  he  was  the 
favorite   of  the  people — for  he  was   their   representative   to    the 
General  Assembly — and  when  he  was  arrested  and  carried  to  Hills- 
boro',  the  whole  people  rose  to  his  rescue. 

Had  his  ultimate  career  been  successful,  or  the  Regulators 
triumphed  over  Tryon  at  the  battle  of  Alamance,  his  name  would 
have  come  down  to  us  with  the  Ashes  and  Waddells  of  that  day,  or 
the  Hampdens,  Sidneys,  and  others  of  a  former  age. 

All  violent  diseases,  in  the  body  politic,  like  in  the  natural  body, 
require  violent  remedies.  The  taxes  to  build  palaces  to  gratify  the 
vanity  of  an  officer  who  possessed  neither  the  affection  of  the  people 
or  any  sympathy  for  their  sufferings,  the  extortion  of  the  clerks, 
sheriffs,  and  others  were  outrageous.  Edmund  Fanning,  who  was 
from  the  north,  was  the  minion  of  Tryon.  He  Avas  the  clerk  of  the 
Court  of  Orange,  Colonel  of  the  county,  an  Attorney  at  law,  and 
the  Representative  in  the  General  Assembly :  under  the  powerful 
•-patronage,  and  the  countenance   of  the  Governor,  he  defied  the 

'•  *  Jones'  Defence,  36. 


56  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

popular  Mill.  From  a  condition  of  poverty,  he  became  wealthy. 
His  manners  towards  the  people  were  haughty  and  supercilious,  and 
his  conduct  as  an  officer  was  overbearing  and  extortionary.  He 
demanded  and  received  fifteen  dollars  for  a  marriage  license,  and 
charged  one  dollar  for  proving  a  deed. 

The  scarcity  of  money  and  the  extreme  poverty  of  the  people, 
rendered  their  grievances  intolerable ;  the  exactions  of  the  other 
officers  caused  even  these  enormous  fees  to  be  larger. 

At  the  meeting  in  April,  the  Regulators  had  selected  two  persons 
to  call  upon  the  sheriif  and  vestrymen  to  meet  twelve  deputies  from 
them  on  Tuesday,  after  next  County  Court,  to  show  their  accounts. 
Before  these  two  men  could  attend  to  this  service,  the  sheriff 
being  unwilling  to  submit  to  this  tribunal,  or  to  exasperate  and  defy 
its  power,  took,  by  way  of  distress,  a  mare,  saddle,  and  bridle,  and 
carried  them  to  Hillsboro'.  He  was  followed  by  a  party  of  sixty 
or  seventy  men,  who  rescued  the  mare,  then  marching  to  Fanning's 
house,  fired  at  the  roof  of  it,  giving  him  positive  and  striking  proof 
that  they  deemed  him  the  chief  author  of  these  troubles. 

The  Sheriff  then  took  with  him  a  party  of  horse,  and  riding  about 
fifty  miles,  seized  Herman  Husbands  and  William  Hunter,  and 
lodged  them  in  Hillsboro'  jail. 

The  Regulators  assembled  May,  1768,  in  large  force,  to  rescue 
them,  but  they  had  been  released  on  bail. 

On  May  21st,  the  Regulators  held  another  general  meeting,  and 
James  Hunter  and  Rednap  Howell  were  appointed  to  wait  on  the 
Governor  with  the  address  of  the  meeting.  They  attended,  at 
Newborn,  in  June ;  the  Governor  laid  the  papers  before  the  Council, 
who  decided  that  "  the  grievances  of  which  they  complained 
did  not  warrant  the  measures  they  had  adopted  ;  that,  if  carried 
further,  would  amount  to  high  treason ;  that  the  decent  behaviour 
of  Colonel  Fanning  met  entire  approbation,  and  advised  them  to 
desist  from  further  meetings;  that  the  Governor  would  readily 
remove  any  hardships,  and  direct  the  Attorney-General  to  prose- 
cute every  officer  guilty  of  extortion  or  malpractice  ;  and  that  next 
month,  the  Governor  would  be  at  Hillsboro',  and  issue  a  procla- 
mation forbidding  such  dishonorable  practices." 

The  Governor  attended  at  Hillsboro',  summoned  his  council,  and 
issued  the  promised  proclamation. 

But  matters  became  worse.  An  association  was  formed  in  Anson, 
similar  to  that  in  Orange,  and  offered  its  aid. 

They  continued  to  meet,  enhsting  their  men,  training  them  to  the 
use  of  arms,  believing  that  a  conflict  must  sooner  or  later  occur. 

On  the  11th  of  July,  a  large  body  of  Regulators  assembled.  The 
Governor  goes  to  Mecklenburg,  and  in  that  and  the  adjacent  coun- 
ties, raises  a  large  body  of  troops,  and  marches  from  Salisbury  to 
Hillsboro'.  His  journal  is  recorded  in  volume  ii.  chapter  1,  Ala- 
mance.    No  bloodshed  occurred  at  this  time. 

He  swore  the  people  to  maintain  and  defend  the  king's  govern- 
ment "  with  hands  and  hearts,  life  and  goods,  against  all  persons  who 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  57 

should  attempt  to  obstruct  the  administration  of  the  laws."  He 
required  that  the  Regulators  should  disperse,  and  that  twelve  of  the 
wealthiest  of  them  should  wait  on  him  at  Salisbury,  and  give  bond 
that  no  rescue  should  be  attempted  of  William  Butler  and  Herman 
Husbands  at  the  next  court  in  Hillsboro',  to  which  they  had  been 
bound.  This  they  declined,  but  assured  the  Governor  that  no  de- 
sign was  entertained  of  releasing  the  persons  bound  ;  they  desired 
him  to  dissolve  the  present  Assembly,  and  call  a  new  one ;  and,  if 
he  would  permit  them  to  come  peaceably  and  complain  of  their 
grievances  of  the  officers,  and  pardon  the  past,  they  would  disperse, 
and  pay  their  taxes. 

This  occurred  at  September  term  of  Hillsboro'  Superior  Court,  at 
which  a  bill  was  found  against  Husbands  for  a  riot,  of  Avhich^  he 
was  acquitted  by  the  jury.  Hunter  and  others  were  found  guilty 
and  imprisoned. 

Fanning  was  indicted  at  this  term  for  extortion  in  six  several 
instances,  but  protected  by  the  presence  and  power  of  Tryon,  he 
plead  guilty,  and  was  fined  six  pence.  Such  a  mockery  of  justice 
was  little  calculated  to  allay  the  feelings  of  the  people,  redress  their 
grievances,  or  prevent  a  repetition  of  their  wrongs. 

The  Governor  pardoned  all  persons  engaged  in  this  affair,  except 
Herman  Husbancls  and  twelve  others,  and  returned  to  his  palace 
at  Newbern, 

The  next  year  passed  without  any  commotion  in  the  State ;  but 
in  the  beginning  of  the  new  year,  1770,  the  oppressions  and  extor- 
tions of  the  officers  greatly  increased  the  popular  excitement. 
Maurice  Moore,  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  found  in  March,  the 
spirit  of  the  people  of  Rowan  County  so  roused  in  consequence  of 
these  exactions,  that  "  no  civil  process  could  be  executed  among  the 
people  in  that  county." 

John  Lea,  Sherifl'  of  Orange,  in  attempting  to  serve  a  warrant 
on  Hanson  Hamilton,  was  attacked  by  John  Pugh  and  other  Regu- 
lators, and  beaten  severely. 

Simon  Bryant,  Sheriff  of  Dobbs  County  (since  divided  into  Greene 
and  Lenoir),  in  endeavoring  to  take  Thomas  Blake  and  John  Coulie, 
two  of  the  Regulators,  was  attacked  by  them,  and  the  sheriff  was 
compelled  to  desist ;  one  of  his  assistants  was  killed  in  the  skirmish. 

The  Superior  Court  of  Hillsboro'  in  September,  was  interrupted 
by  the  Regulators,  and  broken  up. 

The  record  now  in  the  office  at  Hillsboro',  has  the  following  entry. 

Monday,  24th  September,  1770.  "  Several  persons  styling  them- 
selves Regulators,  assembled  together  in  the  court  yard  under  the 
conduct  of  Herman  Husbands,  James  Hunter,  Rednap  Howell,  Wil- 
liam Butler,  Samuel  Divinny,  and  many  others,  insulted  some  of 
the  gentlemen  of  the  bar,  and  in  a  riotous  manner  went  into  the 
court  house  and  forcibly  carried  out  some  of  the  attorneys,  and  in 
a  cruel  manner  beat  them." 

The  Judge  (Henderson)  finding  it  impossible  to  hold  court,  left 
Hiilsboro'  in  the  night. 


58  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

The  same  records  present  the  following  entry,  at  the  next  term 
of  the  court  in  March,  1771. 

"  Tlie  persons  styling  themselves  Regulators  under  the  conduct 
of  Herman  Husbands,  James  Hunter,  Rednap  Howell,  William  But- 
ler, and  Samuel  Divinny,  still  continue  their  riotous  meetings,  and 
severally  threatening  the  judges,  lawyers  and  other  officers  of  the 
court,  prevented  any  of  the  judges  or  lawyers  attending.  Therefore 
the  court  continues  adjourned  till  next  September  term." 

The  Superior  Court  at  Salisbm-y  was  also  impeded. 

To  these  open  and  public  acts  of  violence,  were  added  acts  of 
personal  outrage.  John  Williams,  one  of'  the  lawyers,  was  seized 
and  severely  beaten  in  the  streets ;  Edmund  Fanning  was  dragged 
out  of  the  court  house,  and  severely  beaten.  His  house  (Avhere 
the  present  Masonic  Hall  in  Hillsboro'  is  located)  was  torn  doAvn 
and  his  furniture  destroyed. 

The  General  Assembly  met  at  Newborn  on  the  5th  December, 
1770,  and  the  Governor  received  them  in  his  magnificent  palace, 
then  just  finished.  Among  other  matters,  the  Governor  urged  the 
raising  of  a  body  of  men,  under  the  rules  and  discipline  of  war,  to 
march  into  the  settlements  of  the  insurgents,  to  aid  and  protect  the 
civil  officers. 

,  Herman  Husbands  was  a  member  from  Orange.  An  article  in 
the  Gazette,  addressed  to  Judge  Moore,  was  attributed  to  him,  and 
in  consequence,  he  was  expelled  from  the  house. 

This  Legislature  passed  an  act  prohibiting  any  number  of  per- 
sons above  ten,  assembling,  for  the  disturbance  of  the  peace ;  and 
in  order  to  weaken  the  power  of  the  Regulators,  Orange  County 
was  divided,  and  three  new  counties  erected,*  one,  of  parts  of  Orange, 
Cumberland,  and  Johnston,  called  Wake,  in  honor  of  the  wife  of 
Governor  Tryon  ;  another  of  Orange  and  Rowan,  called  Guildford, 
and' the  southern  part  was  cut  off  and  called  Chatham. 

To  prevent  the  Regulators  from  being  supplied  with  ammunition, 
the  Governor,  in  February,  issued  a  proclamation  (1771),  prohibit- 
ing all  merchants  and  others  from  supplying  any  person  with  pow- 
der, shot  or  lead,  until  further  notice. 

In  March,  the  Council  determined  to  raise  a  force  of  several 
regiments  of  militia,  and  the  Governor  was  advised  to  march  at 
their  head  into  the  settlements  of  the  Regulators,  and  reduce  them 
by  force. 

In  April,  Governor  Tryon  left  Newbern,  with  about  three  hun- 
dred men,  and  some  artillery. 

In  May  he-was  joined  by  a  detachment  of  men  from  New  Hano- 
ver, under  Colonel  John  Ashe,  also  from  Craven,  under  Colonel 
Joseph  Leach  ;  from  Dobbs  county,  under  Colonel  Richard  Caswell ; 
from  Onslow,  under  Colonel  Craig  ;  from  Carteret,  under  Colonel 
Wm.  Thompson  ;  from  Johnston,  under  Colonel  Needham  Bryan  ;  a 
company  of  artillery,  under  Captain  Moore ;  a  company  of  rangers, 

*  Martin,  ii.  271. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  59 

under  Captain  Neale ;  a  detachment  from  Wake,  under  Colonel 
John  Hinton  ;  a  company  of  cavalry,  under  Captain  Bullock. 

Governor  Tryon  and  these  troops  crossed  Haw  River  on  the 
13th,  and  on  the  14th,  encamped  on  the  hanks  of  the  Alamance. 
The  next  day,  on  the  hanks  of  the  same  stream,  the  royal  army 
encamped  near  the  Regulators,  who  had  assembled  in  great  force. 

On  the  15th,  a  petition  was  brought  to  the  Governor,  from  the 
Regulators,  praying  a  redress  of  grievances,  as  the  only  means  to 
prevent  bloodshed.  He  replied  that  he  would  answer  next  day  by 
noon. 

This  petition  and  Tryon's  reply,  as  well  as  many  other  original 
documents    procured  from    the    offices    in   London,   never  before    . 
published,  the  reader  will  find  under  the  chapter  (I)  ob  Alamance  ,/ 
County. 

By  dawn  the  next  day  the  royal  forces  left  the  camp,  and  within 
half  a  mile  of  the  Regulators,  formed  the  line  of  battle,  16th  May, 

1771. 

The  Governor  in  reply  to  the  petition,  informed  them  by  a  mes- 
senger, that  he  had  pursued  every  measure  to  redress  their  griev- 
ances without  success.  Nothing  now  was  left  but  an  immediate 
submission  ;  a  promise  to  pay  taxes  ;  a  return  to  their  homes  ;  and 
a  solemn  assurance  that  they  would  no  longer  protect  those  indicted 
from  a  fair  trial.    He  allowed  them  one  hour  to  consider  this  reply. 

The  royal  forces,  according  to  Governor  Tryon's  own  report  (now 
for  the  first  time  published,  in  the  following  pages,  see  Alamance), 
amounted  to  upwards  of  eleven  hundred;  the  Regulators  under 
Husbands,  Hunter,  and  Butler,  to  two  thousand. 

The  Regulators  told  the  messenger  of  the  Governor  to  return  and 
say  that  "  they  defied  him,  and  battle  was  all  they  wanted." 

The  Governor  then  sent  a  magistrate  and  officer  with  a  proclama- 
tion, commanding  them  to  disperse  within  one  hour. 

The  Regulators  refused  to  listen  to  him,  and  cried  out  for  battle, 
and  advanced  on  the  royal  forces. 

The  Governor  then  sent  his  aid,  Philemon  Hawkins,  to  inform  the 
Regulators  that  unless  they  delivered  up  Husbands,  Hunter,  Howell 
and  some  others,  and  disperse,  he  would  fire  upon  them. 

The  regulators  replied,  "  Fire  and  be  d d." 

The  Governor  then  ordered  his  troops  to  fire,  which  was  not  im- 
mediately obeyed.  Rising  in  his  stirrups,  inflamed  with  anger,  he 
ao-aiu  orders  "  Fire — Fire  on  them  or  fire  on  me." 

'^The  action  became  general,  and  for  a  few  moments  was  warm. 
After  a  conflict  of  two  hours,  the  Regulators  fled,  leaving  twenty 
dead  and  several  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  royal  forces  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  missing,  was  sixty-one  men.  One  officer  was  killed, 
and  one  dangerously  wounded. 

Thus  ended  the  battle  of  Alamance.  Thus,  and  here,  was  the 
tlrst  blood  spilled  in  these  United  States,  in  resistance  to  exactions 
of  English  rulers,  and  oppressions  by  the  English  government. 

'•'The  Great  Wolf  of  North  Carolina"  showed  his  blood-thu'sty 


60  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

temper,  by  acts  of  revenge,  cruelty,  and  barbarity.  He  hung  Cap- 
tain Few  the  next  day,  without  a  trial,  on  a  tree. 

Tryon  marched  on  the  21st  to  Sandy  Creek,  where  he  encamped  for 
a  week.  Crossing  Deep  River  and  Flat  Swamp,  the  army  marched 
to  Reedy  Creek.  Here  being  joined  by  General  Wad'dell,  Governor 
Tryon  returned  on  9th  June  by  Black  Jack,  Buffalo,  Big  Trouble- 
some, in  Rockingham  County,  and  Back  Creek  to  Hillsboro', 
which  he  reached  on  the  14th. 

At  a  special  court  held  for  trial  of  the  prisoners  for  high 
treason,  taken  in  the  battle  of  Alamance,  they  were  convicted 
and  sentenced  to  death.  The  execution  of  six  of  them  was  de- 
layed until  the  king's  pleasure  was  known.  On  the  19th  the  others 
were  executed. 

After  this,  Tryon  dismissed  his  army  and  returned  to  Newbern 
on  the  24th,  and  on  the  30th  took  shipping  for  New  York,  to  which 
colony  he  had  been  appointed  Governor. 

Herman  Husbands,  although  a  reward  was  offered  for  him  by 
Tryon,  escaped.  He  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  near  Pittsburgh.  He 
returned  to  North  Carolina  after  the  Revolutionary  War,  on  busi- 
ness, but  remained  only  a  short  time.  His  two  sons  settled  on  a 
large  tract  of  land  on  Deep  River,  near  the  Buffalo  Ford.  His 
daughter  married  a  man  by  the  name  of  Wright. 

He  is  stated  to  have  been  concerned  in  the  Whisky  Insurrection 
of  Pennsylvania,  in  1794,  and  associated  with  Gallatin,  Bracken- 
ridge  and  Bradford,  on  a  Committee  of  Safety.  For  this  he  was 
apprehended.  From  the  influence  of  his  friends,  among  whom  was 
the  Rev.  David  Caldwell,  of  Guilford  county  (who  happened  at  this 
time  to  be  at  Philadelphia),  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush,  and  others.  Hus- 
bands was  released.  On  his  way  home,  he  died  at  a  tavern  near 
Philadelphia. 

Under  the  head  of  Alamance  County,  in  this  work,  many  rare, 
valuable  and  interesting  documents  will  be  found,  never  before  pub- 
lished, which  place  the  objects,  end,  and  intents  of  the  Regulators 
in  a  true  color.  The  curious  will  examine  carefully  these  records, 
as  they  throw  a  flood  of  light  upon  the  history  of  our  State,  which 
has  been  obscured  by  misrepresentation  and  neglect. 

They  were  copied  under  the  eye  of  the  Hon.  George  Bancroft, 
from  originals  on  file  in  London,  in  the  Office  of  the  Board  of  Trade 
and  Plantations.  By  his  kindness  they  are  here  presented  to  the 
people  of  the  State.  I  feel  the  deep  obligations  that  I  am  under 
to  Mr.  Bancroft,  and  the  State  of  North  Carolina  deeply  feels  her 
obligations  to  him  as  the  only  historian  who  has  done  her  justice. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  61 


CHAPTER    IX. 

FROM  1771  TO  JULY  4,  1776. 

Administration  of  Josiah  Martin,  November  1771  to  1775 — Last  of  the  royal 
governors  in  North  Carolina — His  life  and  character — Parliamentary  usages 
of  "the  olden  times"— The  powers  of  the  governor — "A  king,  aye,  every 
inch  a  king" — Difficulties  arise  between  the  governor  and  the  Assembly,  as 
to  the  attachment  laws  and  appointment  of  judges — Courts  of  law  closed- 
First  popular  Assembly  meets  at  Newborn,  on  the  25th  of  August,  1774 — 
John  Harvey,  Moderator — Names  of  the  members — Its  resolves — It  adjourns 
and  another  is  called  in  April,  1775 — Governor  Martin  fulminates  a  procla- 
mation against  "  such  disorder  and  anarchy,"  March  1,  1775 — The  Colonial 
and  the  Popular  Assemblies  meet  at  the  same  time  and  place — "Passage  of 
arms"  between  the  Governor  and  the  Assembly — The  Governor,  in  his 
speech  to  the  Colonial  Assembly,  denounces  these  meetings  of  the  people 
and  particularly  the  unwarrantable  appointment  of  delegates  to  attend  a 
Continental  Congress,  at  Philadelphia,  then  in  agitation,  as  highly  inju- 
rious and  "  particularly  offensive  to  the  King" — The  Assembly  reply  that 
"the  right  of  the  people  to  assemble  and  remonstrate  is  not  to  be  doubted," 
and  pass  resolutions  "approving  of  the  General  Congress  at  Philadelphia, 
to  assemble  September  4,  1774" — Whereupon,  Governor  Martin  dissolves 
the  Assembly — The  last  which  ever  sat  under  the  royal  governme_nt  in 
North  Carolina — Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence,  May  1775-— 
Governor  Martin  retreats  on  board  of  his  Majesty's  ship-of-war  Cruiser,  in 
the  Cape  Fear  River ;  and  the  royal  government_terminates  forever  in  North 
Carolina — Provincial  Congress  meets  at  Ilillsboro',  August,  1775 — Troops 
raised  for  military  operations — Civil  government  exercised  by  a  Provincial 
Council— District  Committees  of  Safety  ;  and  County  Committees — Names 
of  the  committee-men  in  each  district— Battle  of  Moore's  Creek,  in  New 
Hanover  County,  February  27, 1776— Tories  defeated  under  Gen.  McDonald 
— Provincial  Congress  meets  at  Halifax,  April  4th,  1776 — Names  of  mem- 
Ijers — Names  of  general,  field,  battalion,  and  county  officers — This  body 
instruct  their  delegates  in  the  Continental  Congress,  in  April,  1776,  to  vote 
for  Independence — Committees  of  Safety  appointed — Adjourned  on  the  14th 
of  May,  1776 — Provincial  Council  of  Safety  meets  at  Wilmington,  on  the  6th 
of  June,  1776 — General  Rutherford,  of  Rowan,  marches  with  one  thousand 
nine  hundred  men,  against  the  Overhill  Cherokees  (now  Tennessee),  reduces 
them,  burns  their  towns,  and  destroys  their  crops — Provincial  Council  of 
Safety  meets  in  July,  at  Halifax — The  national  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence reaches  them  while  in  session — Their  proceedings,  and  some  account 
of  the  first  celebration,  in  North  Carolina,  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence. 

James  Hasel,  being  the  first  named  of  the  Council,  on  the  de- 
parture of  Governor  Tryon,  qualified  as  Governor  in  July,  1771. 
He  soon  resigned  the  reins  of  government  to  Josiah  Martin,  who 
had  been  commissioned  by  the  crown,  and  who  arrived  in  North 
Carolina,  at  Newborn,  on  the  11th  August. 

Like  his  predecessor,  Governor  Martin  was  by  profession  a  sol- 
dnr.     He  had  risen,  in  the  British  Army,  to  the  rank  of  Major; 


62  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

and  was  an  Englishman  by  birth.  He  was  brother  to  Samuel 
Martin,  a  member  of  the  British  Parliament,  -who  was  distinguished 
by  a  duel,  in  1763,  with  the  celebrated  John  Wilkes.  His  cha- 
racter was  not  deficient  either  in  firmness  or  talent. 

In  his  administration  of  the  colony,  he  seems  to  have  found  him- 
self too  strictly  fettered  by  his  instructions  from  the  crown  to  be 
of  service  to  the  country.  In  endeavoring  to  carry  out  the  one,  he 
lost  the  favor  of  the  other.  He  misconceived,  when  the  storm  of 
popular  feeling  was  raised,  both  the  means  of  calming  its  anger  and 
averting  its  fury. 

Had  he  lived  in  less  troublesome  times,  his  administration  might 
have  been  peaceful  and  prosperous.  But  Providence  had  decreed 
that  this  country  should  be  free  from  all  foreign  dominion,  and 
that  Martin  should  be  the  last  of  the  royal  governors  in  and  over 
North  Carolina. 

Governor  Martin  met  the  legislature,  for  the  first  time,  in  the 
town  of  Newborn,  in  Nov.,  1771. 

To  this  age,  the  forms  of  electing  and  assembling  the  legislative 
body,  the  homage  paid  to  the  Governor,  as  the  representative  of 
the  Sovereign,  and  the  power  and  influence  of  the  governor  are 
curious,  and  useful  to  show  the  improvements  that  our  free  institu- 
tions have  suggested  and  carried  out. 

The  Governor  had  the  power  with  advice  of  his  council,  to  con- 
vene the  legislature,  at  pleasure,  the  upper  branch  of  which  was 
called  the  council,  appointed  by  the  crown ;  the  speaker,  or  president 
of  which  was  the  first  named  in  the  list,  and  was,  in  the  absence  of 
the  Governor,  the  executive  of  the  colony.  The  council  was  the  mere 
echo  of  the  Governor,  since  they  were  both  appointed  by  the  same 
authority;  their  records  show  few  instances  where  they  ever  differed 
from  the  Governor  on  any  question  of  policy.  The  Governor  had  the 
power  to  prorogue,  or  dissolve  the  Assembly,  and  had  an  unquali- 
fied veto  on  all  their  acts.  The  Governor  had  also  the  appointment  of 
the  associate  judges  of  the  superior  courts,  the  sheriffs  of  the  courts, 
and  the  clerks  of  the  superior  courts.  He  was  indeed  a  sovereign, 
"  aye,  every  inch  a  king."  By  his  order,  writs  were  issued  by  the 
clerk  of  the  crown,  to  the  sheriffs  of  the  several  counties,  directing 
them  to  hold  elections  in  each  county,  and  the  number  to  be  elected; 
and  the  place  of  assembling ;  which  writs  were  duly  executed,  and 
returns  made  of  the  persons  elected,  to  the  clerk  of  the  crown.  At 
the  time  and  place  appointed,  the  members  assembled,  their  cre- 
dentials were  read,  and  qualification  took  place,  which  was  done  in 
the  presence  of  two  of  the  council,  appointed  for  this  purpose  by 
the  Governor.  Two  of  the  members  then  waited  on  his  Excellency, 
to  say  that  the  house  was  organized,  and  awaited  his  commands. 
The  Governor  then  summoned  the  members  to  the  palace  ;  then,  he 
directs  them  to  return  and  elect  a  Speaker.  This  being  done,  two 
members  then  wait  on  his  Excellency,  to  know  when  he  would 
receive  them,  to  present  their  Speaker.  The  house  is  summoned 
by  the  private  secretary  of  the  Governor,  to  make  their  immediate 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  63 

attendance  at  tlie  palace.  Tliey  o.bey,  and  formally  present  their 
Speaker,  in  person  and  by  name,  "  whom  his  Excellency  is  pleased 
to  approve."  Then  he  proceeded,  after  pledging  "in  form  to  sup- 
port the  house  in  all  their  just  rights  and  privileges,"  to  address 
them  on  such  matters  as  suggest  themselves  deserving  the  consi- 
deration of  the  representatives  of  the  people.  To  which  address 
there  was  a  formal  reply  in  writing,  by  a  committee  of  the  House, 
and  then  the  House  was  ready  to  proceed  to  business. 

Compare  this  fanfaronade  of  ceremony  and  homage  to  power  and 
place,  with  our  simple  organization  of  the  present  day  ;  and  it 
Avill  be  no  longer  wondered  why  our  forefathers  in  1776,  stripped 
the  Governor  of  all  the  paraphernalia  of  privilege  and  power  in  the 
constitution,  and  so  reduced  the  executive  authority  as  hardly  to 
leave  any  semblance  of  its  former  grandeur,  or  even  the  power  of 
an  ordinary  justice  of  the  peace.  Thus  vibrating  from  one  extreme 
to  the  other. 

The  House  addressed  Governor  Martin  to  pardon  (Herman  Hus- 
bands, Rednap  Howell,  and  William  Butler  excepted)  all  persons 
concerned  in  the  late  insurrection.  He  replied  that  he  already 
anticipated  their  wishes  as  far  as  his  power  extended.  The  six 
Regulators  under  sentence  of  death  received  the  king's  absolute 
pardon. 

An  angry  and  protracted  conflict  between  the  Governor  and 
the  legislative  body  occurred  on  the  subject  of  the  attachment 
laws,  and  the  appointment  of  judges ;  so  serious,  that  for  a  long 
time  the  colony  was  without  laws  or  judges.  The  commissions  of 
the  judges  expired  with  the  session  of  the  legislature  (Martin 
Howard,  chief  justice,  Maurice  Moore  and  Richard  Henderson, 
associates),  and  the  bill  organizing  the  courts  failing  to  meet  with 
the  approbation  of  the  Governor,  he  first  prorogued  for  three  days 
the  Assembly,  and  finally  dissolved  it. 

"  There  were  at  this  time  no  courts  at  all  in  being,''  was  the  re- 
mark of  Mr.  Quincy,  at  this  time  traveling  through  North  Caro- 
lina. 

The  whole  colony  was  in  a  state  of  anarchy  and  confusion. 
The  courts  were  closed ;  public  crime  and  private  injustice  had  no 
check.  To  the  minds  of  the  people,  their  wrongs  were  caused  by 
the  obstinacy  of  the  Governor,  and  produced  a,  feeling  of  deep 
resentment  against  the  government. 

These  grievances  were  not  confined  to  North  Carolina. 

The  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Commons,  John  Harvey,  laid  be- 
fore the  house  resolutions  of  the  House  of  Burgesses  of  Virginia 
(1773),  resolutions  of  the  12th  March  last,  also  letters  from 
the  speakers  of  the  lower  houses  of  several  other  provinces,  re- 
questing that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  en- 
croachments of  England  upon  the  rights  and  liberties  of  America. 

Tlie  House  came  to  a  resolution  that  "such  example  was  worthy 
ot  imitation,  by  which  means   communication   and   concert  would 


64  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

be  established  among  the  colonies  ;  and  that  they  will  at  all  times 
be  ready  to  exert  their  efforts  to  preserve  and  defend  their  rights."* 

John  Harvey  (Speaker),  Robert  Howe,  Cornelius  Harnett,  Wil- 
liam Hooper,  Richard  Caswell,  Edward  Vail,  John  Ashe,  Joseph 
Hewes,  and  Samuel  Johnson  were  appointed  this  committee. 

This  is  the  first  record  of  a  legislative  character  which  led  to 
the  Revolution.  The  names  of  the  committee  show  its  import- 
ance ;  the  part  they  afterwards  took,  as  will  be  seen,  proves  the 
sincerity  and  fidelity  with  which  they  discharged  their  important 
trusts. 

The  next  year  (August,  1774),  the  Governor  issued  his  procla- 
mation, complaining  that  the  meetings  of  the  people  were  held 
without  legal  authority — that  resolutions  had  been  entered  into, 
and  plans  concerted,  derogatory  to  the  authority  of  the  King  and 
Parliament,  tending  to  excite  discontent  among  the  people,  and 
requiring  the  people  to  forbear  attending  any  such  meetings,  and 
ordering  the  king's  oflBcers  to  oppose  such  meetings  to  the  utmost 
of  their  power. 

But  the  people  would  meet.  The  first  assemblage  independent 
of  royal  authoi-ity,  of  their  representatives  in  North  Carolina,  oc- 
curred at  Newborn  on  2oth  August,  1774. 

Excited  at  this  state  of  affairs.  Governor  Martin  summoned  his 
ever  faithful  and  obsequious  council,  and  consulted  on  the  steps 
proper  to  be  taken.  They  advise  him  that  "  nothing  could  be 
done." 

This  Assembly  or  Congress  as  it  was  called,  is  an  epoch  in  our 
history.  It  was  not  a  conflict  of  arms  or  force,  but  it  was  the 
first  act  of  that  great  drama,  in  which  battles  and  blood  formed 
only  subordinate  parts. 

Provincial  Congress 
of  North  Carolina,  which  met  at  Newborn,  25th  August,  1774. 

Counties.  Members. 

^      A  f    Sam'l  Spencer, 

1.   Anson         .  .  '       {     \\t        rru 

i     Wm.  Thomas. 

2    Bpavfnrf  i    ^^^^^'  ^^"^ond, 

•^  1^    ihos.  Respiss. 

o     T>7    ■;  ^    William  Salter, 

6.  Bladen      .         .         •      <    iti  i^.      n-i 

I    Walter  Gibson. 

A     Ti  f  -i-  /   W™-  Person, 

5.  Brunswick         .         .  Robt.  Howe. 

6.  Bertie       .         .         .  John  Campbell. 

James  Cook, 


f,    /v  Lemuel  Hatch, 

7.   Craven      .         .         •     -^    t        i   t       i 

Joseph  Leech, 


I 


Rich'd  Cosdell. 


o 


*  See  Journals  of  1773.     Martin,  vol.  ii.  305. 
f  Divided  in  1799  into  Franklin  and  Warren. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


65 


Counties. 

8.  Carteret     . 

9.  Currituck . 


10.  Chowan 

11.  Cumberland 

12.  Dobhs^       . 

13.  Duplin 


14. 

Cf-ranville 

15. 

Syde 

16. 

Halifax     . 

IT. 

Johnston   . 

18. 
19. 

MecMenhurg 
Martin 

20. 

New  Hanover 

21. 

22. 
23. 

Northampton 

Orange 

Onslow 

24. 

Perquimans 

25. 

Pasquotank 

26. 

Pitt 

*  Divided  in   1791  i 
chi  nged  to  Greene. 

5 

Members. 
Wm.  Thompson, 
Sol.  Perkins. 

t,than  Joyce, 
m'l  Jarvis. 
Samii^  Johnston, 
Thomas  Oldham, 
Thomas  Benbury, 
Thomas  Jones, 
Thomas  Hunter. 
Farquard  Campbell, 
T.  Rutherford. 
Richard  Caswell, 
Wm.  McKennie, 
Geo.  Miller, 
Simon  Bright. 
Thos.  Gray, 
Thos.  Hicks, 
James  Kenan, 
Wm.  Dickson. 
Thos.  Person, 
Memucan  Hunt. 
Rothias  Latham, 
Samuel  Smith. 
Nigholas  Long 
Willie  Jones. 
Needham  Bryan, 
Benj.  Williams. 
Benj.  Patton. 
E.  Smithwick. 
John  Ashe, 
Wm.  Hooper. 
Allen  Jones. 
Thos.  Hart. 
Wm.  Gray. 
John  Harvey, 
Benj.  Harvey, 
Thos.  Harvey, 
Andrew  Knox, 
J.  Whidbee,  Jr. 
Jos.  Jones, 
Edw'd  Everigin, 
Joseph  Reading. 
John  Simpson, 
Edw'd  Salter. 


1791  into  Lenoir  and  Glasgow,  which  latter  in  1799  was 


{ 


66 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Counties. 

27.  Mowan 

28.  Tnjon*      . 

29.  Tyrrell      . 

Towns. 

30.  Hewhern    . 

31.  Edenton    . 

32.  Wilmington 

33.  Bath     '     . 

34.  Halifax 


i? 


Members. 
Will.  Kennon^ 
Moses  Win  slow, 
Sam'l  Young. 
David  Jenkins, 
Robert  Alexander. 
Geo.  Spruill, 
Jeremiah  Fraser. 

Abner  Nash, 
Isaac  Edwards. 
Jos.  Hewes. 
Francis  Clayton. 
AVm.  Brown. 
John  Geddy. 


Of  this  body,  John  Harvey  of  Perquimans  was  chosen  Speak- 
er, or  Moderator. 

An  examination  of  the  acts  of  this  Assembly,  evinces  the  utmost 
loyalty  to  their  plighted  vows  of  allegiance  so  often  expressed,  and 
yet  the  most  clear  conception  of  the  rights  of  freemen;  the  jealousy 
with  which  these  rights  were  regarded,  and  fixed  purpose  by  which 
they  would  be  maintained. 

Their  journal  is  still  preserved.  The  preamble  to  their  resolu- 
tions declares  their  regard  to  the  British  constitution,  and  their 
allegiance  to  the  House  of  H«nover ;  but  that  allegiance  from  them 
should  meet  with  protection  from  the  government ;  that  no  person 
should  be  taxed  without  his  consent  freely  given  in  person,  or  by 
his  representative  ;  that  the  tax  on  tea  and  other  articles  by  the 
British  Parliament,  was  illegal  and  oppressive.  The  Boston  port 
act,  the  act  sending  persons  to  England  for  trial  for  offences  com- 
mitted here,  were  denounced  as  unconstitutional ;  and  they  so- 
lemnly bound  themselves  after  1st  January  next,  not  to  purchase 
any  goods  from  England  or  send  any  produce  there  for  sale. 

The  Assembly  approved  of  the  plan  of  a  General  Congress  in 
Philadelphia  in.  September,  and  elected  as  members,  William 
Hooper,  of  Orange  County ;  Joseph  Hewes,  of  Edenton ;  Richard 
Caswell,  of  Dobbs  County ;  who  were  instructed  to  express  the  firm 
determination  of  the  people  against  all  unconstitutional  oppression. 

They  then  adjourned,  empowering  the  Moderator  to  convene  the 
deputies  as  occasion  might  require. 

Such  was  the  first  Assembly  of  the  people  of  North  Carolina,  in 
a  representative  character  in  opposition  to  the  Royal  Government. 

These  men  have  long  since  gone  to  their  final  account ;  but 
their  names,  characters,  and  services,  should  be  held  ever  in  grate- 
ful remembrance  by  their  countrymen.  North  Carolina  is  proud 
of  their  names,  for  with  them  is  associated  the  most  unsullied 
patriotism,  uncalculating  resistance  to  oppression,  and  chivalric 


*  Divided  into  Lincoln  and  Rutherford  in  1791. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  67 

daring.  A  short  sketcli  of  the  life  of  many  will  appear  in  another 
portion  of  this  work ;  an  extended  narrative  of  their  services, 
will  afford  ample  material  to  the  future  historian  and  biographer. 

Governor  Martin  visited  New  York  in  September,  1774,  and  on 
his  return  the  following  February,  1^  issued  a  proclamation  against 
the  purchase  by  Judge  Henderson  from  the  Cherokee  Indians  of 
certain  lands,  as  being  in  violation  of  law. 

The  Colonial  Assembly  was  called  in  April,  1775,  at  Newborn; 
and  John  Harvey,  moderator  of  the  late  convention  of  deputies, 
issued  in  February,  a  notice  to  the  people  to  elect  delegates,  to 
represent  each  town  and  county  in  convention,  to  be  held  at  the 
same  time  and  p^ce,  by  virtue  of  authority  vested  in  him  by  the 
late  Congress  or  Convention. 

This  roused  the  indignation  of  Governor  Martin,  and  he  Issued 
his  proclamation  on  1st  March,  1775,  denouncing  the  meeting  as 
"  tending  to  introduce  disorder  and  anarchy  to  the  destruction  of 
the  real  interests  of  the  people.'' 

Notwithstanding  these  denunciations  of  the  Governor,  the  people 
quietly  elected  members  to  the  convention,  many  of  whom  were 
members  of  the  Assembly.  These  bodies  both  met  at  the  same 
place,  at  the  same  time  (4th  April,  1775).  Col.  John  Harvey 
was  re-elected  president  of  the  Colonial  Assembly. 

Governor  Martin,  in  his  speech  to  the  Assembly,  expressed  "  his 
concern  at  this  extraordinary  state  of  affairs.  He  reminded  the 
members  of  their  oath  of  allegiance,  and  denounced  the  meeting 
of  delegates  chosen  by  the  people,  as  illegal,  and  one  that  he 
should  resist  by  every  means  in  his  power."  Particularly  did  he 
inform  them  that  "the  unwarrantable  manner  of  appointing  dele- 
gates to  attend  a  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  then  in  agitation,  would 
be  highly  offensive  to  the  King." 

In  the  dignified  reply  of  the  House,  the  Governor  was  informed 
that  the  right  of  the  people  to  assemble  and  remonstrate  against 
grievances  was  undoubted.  They  passed  resolutions  approving  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia  (4th 
Sept.,  1774),  and  declared  their  determination  to  use  what  in- 
fluence they  had  to  carry  out  the  views  of  that  body.  Where- 
upon, the  Governor,  by  advice  of  his  council,  dissolved  the  Assem- 
bly, by  proclamation,  after  a  session  of  four  days. 

Thus  was  dissolved  all  legislative  intercourse  between  the  Go- 
vernor and  the  legislature,  and  here  terminated  the  royal  rule  of 
England ;  for  a  short  time  afterwards  Gov.  Martin  took  refuge, 
first  in  Fort  Johnston,  and  afterwards  on  board  of  a  ship  of  war  in 
the  Cape  Fear  River,  the  Cruiser.  For  his  ofiicial  dispatches, 
dated  June,  1775,  procured  from  London,  see  Mecklenburg  County. 

(Chapter  li.,  vol.  ii.)  ;,!,  -i^r-ns 

Governor  Martin,  after  the  battle  of  Moore's  Creek  (Feb.  1  h  b), 
in  which  the  Loyalists,  under  General  MacDonald,  were  defeated 
by  Caswell,  embarked  with  Sir  Peter  Parker,  and  arriveil  at 
Charleston.     He  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Guilford  with  Lord 


68  HISTORY  OF  jS-ORTH  CAROLINA. 

CornwalHs,  in  March,  1781.  He  went  to  England  soon  after  this 
battle.  Sijbsequently  he  returned  to  New  York,  and  died  at 
Rockaway.* 

The  Provincial  Congress  met  at  the  same  place,  and  elected 
John  Harvey  again  as  Moderator.  This  convention  or  congress 
approved  of  the  measures  of  the  Continental  Congress,  and  reap- 
pointed the  same  delegates  to  attend. 

This  was  the  second  time  of  meeting  of  the  representatives  of  the 
people,  in  opposition  to  the  Royal  Power  in  North  Carolina. 

About  this  time  (May,  1775),  the  people  of  Mecklenburg  moved^ 
in  their  sovereign  capacity,  the  question  of  independence,  and  took 
a  much  bolder  and  more  decided  stand  than  either  the  Colonial  or 
Continental  Congress  had  as  yet  attempted  ;  and  while  this  step 
evinces  the  spirit  of  that  chivalric  county,  it  is  one  of  the  boasted 
recollections  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  ever  to  be  cherishedy 
never  to  be  forgotten. 

It  has  been  seen  that  it  was  on  her  shores  that  (in  1584)  the 
first  Anglo-Saxon  anchor  rested  in  these  United  States.!  Her 
whole  history  since  has  been  shown  to  be  one  continued  and  deter- 
mined resistance  to  oppression.  It  is  now  proved  that  she  was  the 
first  openly  to  cast  off  the  English  yoke,  and,  relying  on  the  truth 
and  justice  of  her  cause,  and  on  the  God  of  David,  she  threw  the 
gauntlet  of  defiance  in  the  teeth  of  the  Goliah  power  of  England. 

That  at  this  time  throughout  the  whole  length  and  breadth  of 
these  colonies  the  spirit  of  liberty  was  abroad,  is  not  to  be  doubt- 
ed. Urged  by  wrongs  and  oppression,  with  "  war  in  each  heart 
and  freedom  on  each  brow,"  the  colonists  were  ripe  and  ready  for 
the  conflict ;  but  that  the  people  of  Mecklenburg  should  at  this 
period  of  darkness,  doubt,  and  danger,  in  a  remote  portion  of 
country,  unmolested  by  the  presence  of  their  oppressors,  or  actual 
perpetration  of  injury  :  without  concert  with  other  States,  with- 
out assurances  of  support  from  any  quarter,  and  then  and  there 
"  dissolve  the  political  bands  which  connected  them  with  the 
mother  country/'  and  then  declare  themselves  "  a  free  and  inde- 
pendent people,  and  of  right  ought  to  be  sovereign  and  self-govern- 
ing," is  a  subject  full  of  moral  sublimity  and  heroic  daring.  It  is 
justly  a  source  of  elevating  pride  to  the  State  of  North  Carolina. 

The  public  mind  had  been  much  excited  at  the  attempts  of  Gov. 
Martin  to  prevent  the  meeting  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  or  Con- 
vention, at  Newbern,  and  his  arbitrary  and  oppressive  conduct  in 
dissolving  the  Assembly  when  only  in  session  four  days,  leaving 
them  unprotected  by  courts  of  law,  and  all  other  important  busi- 
ness undone.  The  people  began  to  think  that  since  the  authorities 
constituted  by  law  failed  in  their  legitimate  duty,  that  it  was  time 
to  provide  safeguards  for  themselves,  and  to  throw  off  all  allegi- 
ance to  powers  that  ceased  to  protect  their  liberties  or  property. 

To  this  omission  of  duty  was  added  the  actual  commission  of 

*  Sabine,  History  of  the  Loyalists.  f  See  page  24. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  69 

wrong.  The  haughty  assumption  of  power  on  the  part  of  the 
Government  to  inflict  taxation  on  the  people  without  representa- 
tion or  their  consent,  Boston  harbor  was  blockaded  by  British 
troops,  and  others  awed  by  the  pr(»ence  of  men  and  arms.  The 
people  of  North  Carolina  felt  deeply  the  crisis  of  our  Government. 
None  more  keenly  than  the  citizens  of  Mecklenburg. 

On  the  20th  May,  a  convention,  comi^osed  of  delegates  from 
different  portions  of  the  county,  met  at  Charlotte.  Abraham 
Alexander  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  John  McKnitt  Alex- 
ander appointed  secretary. 

The  Rev.  Hezekiah  James  Balch,  a  Presbyterian  clergyman, 
Dr.  Ephm.  Brevard,  and  William  Kennon,  Esq.,  an  attorney-at- 
law,  addressed  the  convention. 

The  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  arrived  at  this  time,  which 
had  occurred  just  one  month  and  a  day  previous;  and  the  wanton 
sacrifice  of  American  blood  by  English  troops  added  fresh  fuel  to  the 
flame  of  virtuous  indignation  that  now  swelled  their  patriotic  bosoms. 

The  resolutions,  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard,  are  as 
follows  : — 

THE  MECKLENBURG  DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE,  DECLARED  AT 
CHARLOTTE,  20th  OF  MAY,  1775. 

1.  Resolved:  That  whosoever  directly  or  indirectly  abets,  or  in 
any  w^ay,  form,  or  manner  countenances  the  unchartered  and  dan- 
gerous invasion  of  our  rights,  as  claimed  by  Great  Britain,  is  an 
enemy  to  this  country — to  America— and  to  the  inherent  and  un- 
alienable rights  of  man. 

2.  Resolved:  That  we  do  hereby  declare  ourselves- a  free  and 
independent  people ;  are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be  a  sovereign  and 
self-governing  association,  under  the  control  of  no  power,  other 
than%hat  of  our  God  and  the  general  government  of  the  Congress: 
To  the  maintenance  of  which  independence  we  solemnly  pledge  to 
each  other  our  mutual  co-operation,  OUR  LIVES,  OUR  FORTUNES, 
and  OUR  MOST  sacred  honor. 

3.  Resolved:  That  as  we  acknowledge  the  existence  and  control 
of  no  law  or  legal  officer,  civil  or  military,  within  this  county,  we  do 
hereby  ordain  and  adopt  as  a  rule  of  life,  all,  each,  and  every  one 
of  our  former  laws,  wherein,  nevertheless,  the  crown  of  Great 
Britain  never  can  be  considered  as  holding  rights,  privileges,  or 
authorities  therein. 

4.  Resolved:  That  all,  each,  and  every  military  officer  in  this 
county  is  hereby  reinstated  in  his  former  command  and  authority, 
he  acting  conformably  to  their  regulations.  And  that  every  mem- 
ber present  of  this  delegation,  shall  henceforth  be  a  civil  officer, 
viz :  a  justice  of  the  peace,  in  the  character  of  a  committee  man, 
fo  issue  process,  hear,  and  determine  all  matters  of  controversy, 
a,*^cording  to  said  adopted  laws,  and  to  preserve  peace,  union,  and 
harmony  in  said  county,  to  use  every  exertion  to  spread  the  love 


70  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLES'A. 

of  country  and  fire  of  freedom  throughout  America,  until  a  more 
general  and  organized  government  be  established  in  this  province. 

ABRxVHAM  ALEXANDER,  Chairman. 

JoHX  McKnitt  Alexande^^,  Secretary. 

Ephraim  Brevard,  Charles  Alexander, 

Hezekiah  J.  Balch,  Zaccheus  Wilson, 

John  Phifer,  Waightstill  Avery, 

James  Harris,  Benjamin  Patton, 

William  Kennon,  Matthew  McClure, 

John  Ford,  Neil  Morrison, 

Richard  Barry,  Robert  Irvin, 

Henry  Downe,  John  Flennegin, 
Ezra  Alexander,                      •       David  Reese, 

William  Graham,  John  Davidson, 

John  Queary,  Richard  Harris, 

Hezekiah  Alexander,  Thomas  Polk,  sen'r. 
Adam  Alexander, 

It  was  forwarded  to  the  Continental  Congress,  at  Philadelphia, 
by  Capt.  James  Jack,  and  a  copy  also  to  Samuel  Johnston,  mode- 
rator of  the  Provincial  Congress,  at  Hillsboro',  and  was  laid  before 
that  body  by  him,  on  the  25th  Aug.  1775. 

Gov.  Martin  issued  his  proclamation  on  the  8th  of  August,  1775, 
on  board  of  his  Majesty's  ship  of  war  the  Cruiser,  denouncing 
the  Mecklenburg  declaration  of  independence. 

These  papers  are  extracted  from  the  document  publishied  in 
182ft,  by  the  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina.  More  import- 
ant and  documentary  evidence  will  be  found  under  the  head  of 
Mecklenburg  County,  from  records  procured  from  London.  These 
names  and  these  characters  deserve  a  perpetual  remembrance  in  our 
State  and  nation.  Efforts  are  being  made  to  procure  the  biogra- 
phy of  each,  and  have  in  part  been  successful.  Men  must  obey 
the  fiat  of  nature,  and  die ;  but  such  elevated  actions,  and  devoted 
patriotism  can  never  die.  Our  State  to  all  time  will  delight  to 
cherish  their  memories  as  a  proud  record  of  the  past,  and  a  glowing 
incentive  to  the  future.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  son  of  Meck- 
lenburg will  undertake  this  pious  and  patriotic  duty,  and  rescue 
from  oblivion  the  memories  of  the  signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  De- 
claration of  Independence. 

This  important  paper  is  dear  to  every  North  Carolinian.  The 
20th  of  May  is  a  sacred  festival  within  her  borders,  and  efforts  are 
being  made  to  erect  in  the  place  where  this  event  occurred,  a 
monument  to  perpetuate  its  memory.* 

North  Carolina  was  now  without  any  government,  except  that 
of  its  own  choice.  The  utmost  exertion  was  necessary  to  sustain 
this  position. 

*  A  memorial,  in  vol.  ii.  chapter  li.  Mecklenburg  County,  from  the  citizens 
of  this  section  of  the  State  to  the  General  Assembly. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  71 


Samuel  Jolanston,  of  Chowan  County  (the  late  moderator,  John 
Harvey  having  died),  summoned  a  meeting  of  the  delegates  at 
Hillsboro',  on  21st  August,  1775. 

Delegates  were  chosen  in  every  county  and  town,  accordingly, 
by  the  people,  and  they  met  at  the  time  and  place  appointed. 
One  hundred  and  eighty-four  members  took  their  seats.  This  was 
the  third  meeting  of  an  assembly  of  the  people  in  North  Carolina, 
opposed  to  the  Royal  Government. 

On  motion  of  Richard  Caswell,  Samuel  Johnston  was  elected 
President,  Andrew  Knox,  Secretary,  James  Glasgow,  Assistant. 

On  the  24th,  the  Congress  declared  that  the  people  of  North 
Carolina  would  pay  their  due  proportion  of  expense  in  training  a 
Continental  Army,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  a  system 
of  government  for  the  province. 

This  was  a  most  important  point  of  the  history  of  North  Caro- 
lina. The  Governor  had  abandoned  the  reins  of  power.  In  a 
proclamation  dated  8th  Aug.  1775,  secure  on  board  of  his  floating 
palace,  he  had  denounced  by  his  proclamation  this  very  assembly, 
as  "one  of  the  black  artifices  of  falsehood  and  sedition,"  and  the 
assembly  returned  this  courteous  message  by  resolving  that  "  the 
proclamation  was  a  false,  scurrilous,  malicious  and  seditious  libel," 
and  directed  it  to  be  burnt  by  the  common  hangman. 

Thus  all  hopes  of  reconciliation  had  now  ended.  The  sword 
was  drawn  and  the  scabbard  cast  away. 

Two  regiments  of  five  hundred  men  were  raised  by  order  of  the 
Congress. 

The  following  officers  were  appointed  : — 

FOR  THE  first  REGIMENT. 

James  Moore,  Col.  ;  Thomas  Clark,  Major ;  Francis  Nash,  Lt. 
Col. ;  Wm.  Williams,  Adjutant. 

Captains — William  Davis,  William  Picket,  Henry  Dickson, 
Thomas  Allen,  Robert  Rowan,  George  Davidson,  Alfred  Moore, 
John  Walker,  Wm.  Green,  Caleb  Grainger. 

Lieutenants — John  Lillington,  William  Berryhill,  Hg^ekiah 
Rice,  Joshua  Bowman,  Hector  McNeil,  Wm.  Brandon,  Lawrence 
TKompson,  Abraham  Tatum,  Wm.  Hill,  Thomas  Hogg. 

^Ensigns — Neil  McAllister,  James  Childs,  George  Graham, 
Maurice  Moore,  Jr.,  Henry  Neill,  Robert  Ralston,  John  Taylor, 
Berryman  Turner,  Henry  Pope,  Howell  Tatum. 

officers  of  THE  SECOND  REGIMENT. 

Robert  Howe,  Col.  ;  John  Patton,  Major  ;  Alex.  Martin,  Lt. 
Col.  ;  Dr.  John  White,  Capt.  and  Adjutant. 

Captains — James  Blount,  John  Armstrong,  Chas.  Crawford, 
Hardy  Murfree,  Plenry  Irwin  Toole,  Nathan  Keais,  Simon  Bright, 
Michael  Payne,  John  Walker. 

Liey^tenants — John  Grainger,   Robert  Smith,  John  Herritage, 


72  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Clement  Hall,  Edw'd  Vail,  Jr.,  Jos.  Tate,  William  Fenner,  John 
Williams,  James  Gee,  Benj.  Williams. 

Ensigns — Henry  Vipon,  Whitmel  Pugh,  John  Oliver,  Philip 
Lowe,  William  Gardner,  Benj.  Cleaveland,  Jas.  Cook,  William  Cas- 
well, Jos.  Clinch,  John  Woodhouse. 

Dr.  Isaac  Guion,  Chirurgeon  to  the  1st  Reg. 

Dr.  Wm.  Parton,         do.         to  •2d  Reg. 

The  names  of  these  officers  are  particularly  noticed,  as  these 
were  called  into  active  service  out  of  the  State  in  the  Continental 
Line. 

In  each  district  ten  companies  of  fifty  men,  called  a  battalion, 
were  raised,  called  Minute  men. 

Field  officers  and  Minute  men  appointed  by  the  State  Congress 
(1775)  for  each  district. 

Edenton  District. — Edward  Vail,  Col.  ;  Andrew  Knox,  Lt. 
Col. ;   Caleb  Nash,  Major. 

Netvhern  District. — Richard  Caswell,  Col. ;  William  Bryan, 
Lieut.  Col. ;  James  Gorham,  Major. 

Wilrtiington  District. — Alex.  Lillington,  Col.  ;  Robt.  Ellis,  Lt. 
Col. ;  Samuel  Swann,  Major. 

Halifax  District. — Nicholas  Long,  Col.  ;  Henry  Irwin,  Lt. 
Col. ;  Jethro  Sumner,  Major. 

Hillsboro'  District. — James  Thackston,  Col. ;  John  Williams,  Lt. 
Col. ;  James  Moore,  Major. 

Salisbury  District. — Thomas  Wade,  Col.  ;  Adlai  Osborne,  Lt. 
Col. ;  Joseph  Harbin,  Major. 

Edward  Vail,  of  Chowan,  was  appointed  to  the  command  of  the 
battalion  of  the  Edenton  District. 

Richard  Caswell,  of  Dobbs,  Newbern  District. 

Alex.  Lillington,  of  New  Hanover,  Wilmington  District. 

Thomas  Wade,  of  Anson,  Salisbury  District. 

James  Thackston,  of  Cumberland,  Hillsboro'  District. 

Nicholas  Long,  of  Halifax,  the  Halifax  District. 

Such  was  the  military  organization  of  the  State. 

Tift*  Civil  Government  was  vested  in  : — 

I.  A  Provincial  Council  for  the  whole  State. 

II.  A  District  Committee  of  Safety  for  each  district. 

III.  County  and  Town  Committees,  for  each  county  and  town. 

I.  The  Provincial  Council  was  composed  of  one  chosen  by  the 
whole  Congress,  who  was,  de  facto.,  governor;  and  two  persons 
from  each  district,  chosen  by  the  delegates  thereof. 

They  were  to  meet  quarterly,  had  power  to  call  out  the  militia, 
to  reject  or  suspend  officers,  fill  vacancies,  draw  on  the  treasury 
for  all  moneys  necessary  for  the  service ;  and,  in  fact,  to  do  all  such 
things  as  were  necessary  to  secure,  protect,  and  defend  the  colony. 

The  court  house,  in  Johnston  County,  was  the  first  place  of 
their  assembling,  and  they  had  power  to  fix  other  times  and  places. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  73 

The  members  of  this  council  were  Samuel  Johnston,  chairman, 
(chosen  by  the  Congress.) 

Cornelius  Harnett,  and  Samuel  Ashe,         Wilmington  District. 
Abner  Nash,  and  James  Coor,  Newhern  District. 

Thomas  Jones,  and  Whitmel  Hill,  Edenton  District. 

William  Jones,  and  Thomas  Jones,  Halifax  District. 

Thomas  Person,  and  John  Kinchen,  Sillshoro  District. 

Samuel  Spencer,  and  Waightstill  Avery,     Salishury  District. 

II.  The  Committee  of  Safety  was  composed  of  a  president  and 
twelve  members  in  each  district,  chosen  by  the  delegates  from  each 
district. 

This  committee  was  to  meet  quarterly  in  the  principal  towns  of 
the  district,  and  were  authorized  to  receive  information,  censure, 
and  punish  delinquents  ;  and,  with  the  Provincial  Council,  had 
co-ordinate  power  to  compel  debtors  about  to  remove  to  give  security 
to  their  creditors^  and  had  a  superintending  power  over 

III.  The  County  and  Town  Committees,  appointed  by  the 
'freeholders  of  each  county,  twenty-one  members  for  the  county,  and 
fifteen  for  each  of  the  towns  of  Edenton,  Newbern  and  Wilmington, 
and  seven  for  each  of  the  other  towns,  to  be  elected  by  the  freehold- 
ers. These  committees  were  to  appoint  by  ballot  out  of  their  mem- 
bers, seven  persons  to  act  as  a  committee  of  secrecy,  intelligence 
and  correspondence,  who  were  to  correspond  with  the  Provincial 
Council,  the  Committee  of  Safety,  and  others,  to  take  up  and  ex- 
amine all  suspected  persons,  and  to  exercise  a  general  and  particular 
care  over  the  interests  of  the  people,  that  they  received  no  detriment. 

With  the  latter  (committees  of  the  counties),  the  real  executive 
power  of  the  State  rested  in  these  troublesome  times;  promptly 
and  summarily  did  they  exercise  their  powers.  They  held  a  strict 
police  and  rigid  censorship  over  their  respective  counties,  and  did 
not  hesitate  to  put  in  jail,  or  to  the  whipping-post,  all  persons  con- 
victed of  disrespectful  language  towards  the  cause  of  American 
liberty.  They  issued  orders  to  ravage  the  estates  of  violent  Tories, 
and  appropriate  the  proceeds  to  the  common  treasury. 

They  executed  all  orders  of  the  Continental  Congress,  the  Pro- 
vincial" Council,  and  the  District  Committees  of  Safety.  They  had 
a  test  oath  to  which  all  persons  had  to  subscribe,  which  was  para- 
mount to  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  English  crown. 

The  delegates  for  each  district  appointed  the  following  persons 
as  District  Committees  of  Safety : — 

Edenton  District. — Luke  Sumner,  Wm.  Gray,  John  Johnston, 
Thomas  Benbury,  Gideon  Lamb,  Joseph  Jones,  Miles  Harvey,  Law- 
rence Baker,  Kenneth  McKenzie,  Stevens  Lee,  Charles  Blount, 
Isaac  Gregory,  and  Day  Ridly. 

Netvhern  District. — Alexander  Gaston,  Richard  Cogdell,  John 
Easton,  Major  Croom,  Roger  Ormond,  Edward  Salter,  George 
Burrow,  William  Thompson,  William  Tisdale,  Benjamin  Williams, 
R' chard  Ellis,  William  Brown,  James  Glasgow. 

Wilmington   District.  —  Frederick    Jones,    Sampson   Mosely, 


74  HISTORY  OP  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Archibald  McLaine,  Richard  Quince,  Thomas  Davis,  William 
Gray,  Henry  Rhodes,  Thomas  Rutledge,  James  Kenan,  Alexander 
McAllister,  George  Mylne,  John  Smith,  Benjamin  Stone. 

Halifax  District. — Allen  Jones,  Rev.  Henry  Patillo,  James 
Leslie,  John  Bradford,  David  Sumner,  William  Eaton,  Drury  Lee, 
John  Norwood,  James  Mills,  William  Haywood,  Duncan  Lamon, 
William  Bellamy,  John  Webb. 

Eillshoro'  District. — William  Taylor,  Joseph  Taylor,  Samuel 
Smith,  John  Atkinson,  John  Butler,  William  Johnston,  John 
Hinton,  Joel  Lane,  Michael  Rodgers,  Ambrose  Ramsey,  Mial 
Scurlock,  John  .Thompson,  John  Lark. 

Salisbury  District. — Griffith  Rutherford,  John  Brevard,  John 
Crawford,  Hezekiah  Alexander,  James  Auld,  Benjamin  Patton, 
William  Hill,  John  Hamilton,  Charles  Galloway,  William  Dent, 
Robert  Ewert,  Maxwell  Chambers. 

,  The  thanks  of  the  Convention  to  the  delegates  in  the  Continental 
Congress  (Caswell,  Hooper,  and  Hewes)  were  formally  presented 
by  the  President  for  their  honorable  and  patriotic  conduct,  on  2d 
Sept.,  1775. 

On  being  appointed  one  of  the  Treasurers  of  the  State,  Richard 
Caswell  resigned  his  appointment  as  delegate  to  the  Continental 
Congress,  and  John  Penn,  of  Granville  County,  was  appointed  his 
successor. 

The  public  finances  were  in  much  disorder.  The  Convention 
ordered,  on  the  7th  Sept.,  $125,000  in  bills  of  credit.  Richard 
Caswell,  Samuel  Johnston,  Andrew  Knox,  and  Richard  Cogdell 
were  to  superintend  the  printing  and  sign  the  bills,  and  deliver 
them  over  to  the  two  treasurers.  Samuel  Johnston  for  the  North- 
ern division  and  Richard  Caswell  for  the  Southern. 

An  address  was  adopted  unanimously  by  this  Convention,  on 
the  8th  September,  to  the  people  of  the  British  empire,  declaring 
the  views  of  this  body  as  to  the  existing  state  of  affairs.  It  was 
extensively  circulated  and  did  much  good.  It  was  the  production 
of  Wm.  Hooper,  who  reported  it  as  chairman  of  a  committee  com- 
posed of  Maurice  Moore,  Robert  Howe,  Richard  Caswell,  and 
Joseph  Hewes. 

Premiums  were  voted  for  manufacture  of  saltpetre,  gunpowder, 
and  other  articles.  The  people  of  North  Carolina  had  determined 
to  throw  off  the  foreign  yoke  and  be  free  in  every  respect. 

After  a  session  of  a  month,  this  Congress  adjourned  on  the  19th 
Sept. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Provincial  Council  was  organized  at 
the  court  house,  in  Johnston  County,  on  the  18th  Oct.,  1775, 
by  the  appointment  of  Cornelius  Harnett,  of  Wilmington,  as 
President,  and  James  Green  as  Clerk. 

Their  proceedings  were  entirely  of  a  warlike  nature.  Applica- 
tions for  appointments,  demands  for  ammunition  and  arms,  and  the 
raising  of  troops,  occupied  their  attention  and  fills  their  journal. 

Intelligence  was  received  by  the  Council  that  the  people  of  New 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  75 

Hanover  had  assembled  in  a  large  body  and  protested  against  the 
proceedings  of  the  late  Provincial  Congress,  as  revolutionary  and 
rebellious.  The  Council  instructed  the  President  (Mr.  Harnett), 
John  Ashe,  and  Samuel  Ashe,  to  explain  the  acts  of  the  Congress, 
and  endeavor  to  maintain  concert  and  harmony.  These  zealous 
friends  of  liberty  faithfully  performed  their  mission ;  the  discon- 
tented were  satisfied,  and  returned  to  the  support  of  the  cause  of 
liberty. 

A  second  meeting  of  the  Provincial  Council  was  held  at  the  court 
house,  in  Johnston  County,  on  18th  December,  1775,  and  Corne- 
lius Harnett  presided. 

The  Sheriff  of  Halifax,  Mr.  Branch,*  brought  before  the  council 
Walter  Lamb  and  George  Massenbird,  as  enemies  to  the  country, 
and  prayed  punishment  upon  them  as  Tories.  The  council  ordered 
Lamb  to  be  committed  for  trial  before  the  comnjittee  of  safety  for 
Halifax  ;  and  the  other,  being  penitent,  took  the  test  oath  and  was 
discharged. 

The  efforts  of  Governor  Martin,  still  in  the  Cape  Fear  River  on 

board  the  ship  of  war  Cruiser,  excited  the  vigilance  of  the  council. 

At  their  previous  meeting  in  October,  they  had  recommended  the 

,  committee  of  safety  for  the  district,  to  use  their  endeavors  to  cut 

off  all  communications  between  the  governor  and  the  people. 

The  committee  of  safety  for  districts  Wilmington  Newbern, 
and  Edenton,  were  directed  to  procure  immediately  an  armed  ves- 
sel each. 

The  Scotch  on  the  banks  of  the  Cape  Fear  (and  its  tributaries 
the  Deep  and  Haw  Rivers)  were  approached  by  the  emissaries  of 
Governor  Martin.  He  represented  to  them  that  the  colony  would 
be  subdued ;  that  Sir  Henry  Clinton  was  to  come  south,  reinforced 
by  heavy  armaments  from  England,  under  Sir  Peter  Parker  and 
Lord  Cornwallis.  He  issued  a  commission  of  General  to  one  of 
their  chiefs  (Donald  McDonald). 

The  Council  recommended,  1775,  that  "all  communications  from 
or  to  Governor  Martin,  or  the  ship  of  war,  should  be  opened  by 
the  Committee  of  Safety." 

It  appointed,  on  21st  December,  committees  in  each  district  to 
attend  to  the  state  of  arms,  with  authority  to  purchase  more,  if 
needed. 

It  raised  two  more  battalions  of  minute  men,  in  the  district  of 
Salisbury,  and  appointed 

Griffith  Rutherford,  Colonel ;  John  Phifer,  Lieutenant- Colonel ; 
John  Paisly,  Major — 1st  battalion. 

Thomas  Polk,  Colonel ;  Adam  Alexander,  Lieutenant- Colonel ; 
Charles  McLean,  Major — 2d  battalion. 

The  proceedings  of  this  session  of  the  council  are  marked  with 
great  enei'gy  and  patriotism. 

The  next  session  of  the  Provincial  Council  was  at  Newbern,  on 
the  28th  February,  1776,  which  was  called  to  devise  measures  of 

*  The  father  of  Gov.  John  Branch,  now  of  Enfield. 


76  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

concert  and  union  between  the  southern  colonies.  Abner  Nash 
and  John  Kinchen,  were  sent  to  Charleston ;  Thomas  Jones,  Sa- 
muel Johnston,  and  Thomas  Person,  appointed  to  confer  with  the 
Committee  of  Safety  for  A^irginia. 

At  this  time,  Donald  McDonald,  a  Scottish  Highlander,  who  had 
received  the  commission  of  general  from  Governor  Martin,  erected 
the  royal  standard  at  Cross  Creek,  now  Fayetteville,  and  soon 
rallied  about  fifteen  hundred  men. 

Colonel  James  Moore,  at  the  head  of  the  first  continental  regi- 
ment, and  some  militia  of  Cumberland,  took  the  field  against 
McDonald.  Moore  was  posted  near  the  bridge  on  Rocky  River, 
about  twelve  miles  from  Cross  Creek,  and  fortified  it ;  determining 
to  prevent  any  junction  of  McDonald  with  Governor  Martin,  or 
the  expected  reinforcements  from  abroad. 

Colonels  Caswell  and  Lillington  at  this  time  commanded  the 
minute  men  of  the  districts  of  Newbern  and  Wilmington,  and 
joined  by  some  volunteers,  marched  to  Moore's  Creek,  near  where 
it  joins  South  River,  in  New  Hanover  County. 

McDonald  advanced  towards  Colonel  Moore's  camp,  and  sent 
him  a  communication,  with  the  governor's  proclamation,  to  lay 
down  his  arms,  and  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  ;  Colonel  Moore 
(after  delaying  to  allow  the  militia  time  to  assemble)  declined  his 
proposal,  and  replied,  "  that  as  he  was  engaged  in  a  noble  and 
glorious  cause,  the  defence  of  the  rights  of  man;  he  invited 
General  McDonald  to  join  him,  and  enclosed  a  copy  of  the  test." 

The  forces  of  Caswell  and  Lillington  now  increasing,  McDonald 
endeavored  by  rapid  marches  to  unite  with  Sir  Henry  Clinton, 
who  had  just  arrived  in  the  Cape  Fear  River,  with  Lord  William 
Campbell,  the  royal  governor  of  South  Carolina,  and  strong  re- 
inforcements. 

He  crossed  South  River,  on  the  banks  of  which  Caswell  and 
Lillington  were  encamped  with  about  one  thousand  men,  consisting 
of  the  Newbern  battalion  of  minute  men,  the  militia  from  Craven, 
Johnston,  Dobbs  (now  Green  and  Lenoir),  and  Wake,  and  a  de- 
tachment of  the  Wilmington  battalion  of  minute  men.  Here  he 
encamped  for  the  night,  and  determined  to  attack  them  in  the 
morning.  Lillington  and  CasAvell  were  equally  ready  and  eager 
for  the  conflict. 

This  night  the  small  stream  of  South  River  only  separated  the 
belligerent  camps ;  the  watch-fires  of  both  were  plainly  visible  to 
each.     Like  on  the  famed  and  bloody  field  of  Agincourt : — 

*'  From  camp  to  camp,  through  the  foul  womb  of  night, 
The  hum  of  either  army  stilly  sounds  ; 
That  the  fixed  sentinels  almost  receive 
The  secret  whispers  of  each  other's  watch. 
Fire  answers  fire — 
Give  dreadful  note  of  preparation."* 

By  the  dawn  of  day,  27th  February,  1776,  the  royal  forces  were 

*  Henry  V,,  Act  I. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  77 

in  motion  ;  the  shrill  notes  of  their  pibroch  were  heard  summoning 
their  belted  chiefs  with  their  clans  to  battle. 

Our  troops  had  removed  the  planks  from  the  bridge,  had  been 
under  arms  all  night,  and  were  ready  to  receive  them. 

An  active  and  brisk  fire  commenced  on  both  sides  of  the  stream, 
which  for  a  moment  was  severe  and  fatal,  when  the  Scottish  leader, 
Colonel  McLeod,  in  attempting  a  gallant  charge  across  the  bridge, 
was  killed.  His  troops  were  confused  by  the  loss  of  their  leader, 
and  the  unexpected  absence  of  the  planks  on  the  bridge.  Availing 
themselves  of  these  advantages,  our  troops  charged  in  turn,  with 
great  animation  across  the  stream,  and  engaged  the  whole  force  of 
the  enemy.  After  a  gallant  resistance,  the  royal  troops  were 
routed,  and  their  general,  McDonald,  taken  prisoner. 

A  number  of  prisoners  were  taken,  a  large  amount  of  ammunition 
and  arms  of  various  kinds,  and  thirteen  wagons  with  horses,  and  a 
box  of  guineas,  containing  £15,000  sterling. 

Colonel  Moore  arrived  on  the  field  soon  after  the  battle  with  his 
troops. 

The  Provincial  Congress,  which  met  soon  after  (4th  April, 
1776),  at  Halifax,  upon  the  call  of  the  President,  Samuel  Johnston, 
granted  parole  to  General  MacDonald.  The  laurels  gained  by  this 
early  passage  of  arms,  were  made  more  bright  by  the  generous 
conduct  of  the  victors. 

This  battle  was  most  important  in  its  eff'ects.  Had  the  Tories 
effected  a  union  with  Clinton,  the  Avhole  country  would  have  been 
at  their  mercy;  Gen.  Clinton  issued  a  proclamation  on  board  of  the 
Pallas  transport,  in  Cape  Fear  River,  on  5th  May,  1776,  declaring 
that  a  most  wicked  and  unprovoked  rebellion  existed  in  his  Ma- 
jesty's province  of  North  Carolina,  to  the  total  subversion  of  all 
lawful  authority,"  requiring  all  congresses  and  committees  to  be  dis- 
solved, and  offering  pardon  to  all  persons  who  should  obey,  and  lay 
down  their  arms,  "  except  Cornelius  Harnett  and  Robert  Hoive.'' 

This  had  no  effect.  He  landed  on  General  Howe's  plantation, 
in  Brunswick  County,  on  the  12th,  with  nine  hundred  men  under 
Lord  Cornwallis,  afterwards  so  famed  in  the  Revolutionary  War, 
in  the  South — ravaged  and  plundered  the  same,  and  treated  with 
great  brutality  some  women,  who  were  left  in  the  house.  After 
burning  some  mills  in  the  neighborhood,  they  again  embarked, 
and  despairing  of  all  success  in  North  Carolina,  with  thirty  ships, 
he  left  the  coast  on  the  29th,  and  sailed  for  Charleston,  having  on 
board  Governor  Martin,  the  last  of  the  royal  governors. 

The  Provincial  Congress  met  at  Halifax,  4th  April,  1776 
(the  fourth  meeting  of  the  people  in  a  representative  capacity  op- 
posed to  the  Royal  Government  in  North  Carolina). 

The  following  persons  were  elected  and  appeared,  viz : — 

Counties.  Members. 

f  Samuel  Spencer,  Daniel  Love,  John  Crawford,  James 

1.  Anson  |      Picket,  and  John  Childs. 

2.  Beaufort  Roger  Ormond,  Thomas  Respiss,  Jr.,  and  John  Cooper. 


78 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Counties. 

3.  Bladen 

4.  Bertie 

5.  Brunswick 

6.  Bute* 

7.  Craven 

8.  Carteret 

9.  Currituck 

10.  Chowan 

11.  Cumberland 

12.  Chatham 

13.  Duplin 

14.  I>o6&st 

15.  Edgecombe 

16.  Granville 

17.  (??«7/orcZ 

18.  S;/(7e 

19.  Hertford 

20.  ^aZi/aa; 

21.  Johnston 

22.  Mecklenburg 

23.  Martin 

24.  New  Hanover 

25.  Nortliampton 

26.  Onslow 

27.  Orange 

28.  Perquimans 

29.  Pasquotank 

30.  Pt« 

31.  Rowan 

32.  ,Si«Ty 

33.  TyrreK 

34.  y^jron? 

35.  TFa^•e 


Members. 
( Nathaniel    Richardson,    Thomas    Robertson,    James 
I      Council,  Maturan  Colvill  and  Thomas  Amis. 
John  Campbell,  John  Johnston,  Charles  Jacocks. 

(■  Green  Hill,  "William  Alston,  William  Person,  Thomas 

I      Sherrod,  and  Philemon  Hawkins. 

f  James    Coor,  Lemuel   Hatch,  John  Bryan,  William 

I      Bryan,  and  Jacob  Blount. 

]  William  Thompson,  Solomon  Shepard,  and  John  Back- 

I      house. 

]  Samuel  Jarvis,  James  White,  James    Ryan,   Gideon 

I      Lamb,  and  Solomon  Perkins. 

j  Samuel  Johnston,  Thomas  Benbury,  Thomas  Jones, 

I     John  B.  Beasly,  and  Thomas  Hunter. 

I  David-Smith,  Alexander  McAllister,  Farquard  Camp- 

1      bell,  Thomas  Rutherford,  and  Alexander  McCoy. 

rAmbrose   Ramsay,  John   Thompson,  Joshua  Rosser, 

I     Jeduthan  Harper,  and  Elisha  Cain. 

Thomas  Gray,  and  William  Dickson, 
r  Richard  Caswell,  Abraham  Shepard,  George  Miller, 
I      Simon  Bright,  and  William  McKinnie. 
j  William  Haywood,  Duncan  Lemond,  Elisha  Battle, J 
(      Henry  Irwin,  and  Nathan  Boddie. 
I  Thomas   Person,  John  Penn,  Memucan  Hunt,  John 
I      Taylor,  and  Charles  A.  Eaton, 
f  Ransome  Southerland,  William  Dent,  and  Ralph  Gor- 
I      rell. 

I  Rotheas  Latham,  Joseph  Hancock,  John  Jordan,  and 
\     Benjamin  Parmelly. 

Robert  Sumner,  Matthias  Brickie,  Lawrence  Baker. 
I  John  Bradford,  James  Hogan,  David  Sumner,  Joseph 
I      John  Williams,  and  Willis  Alston. 

Samuel  Smith,  Jr.,  Needham  Bryan,  Jr.,  Henry  Rains. 

John  Phifer,  Robert  Irwin,  John  McKnitt  Alexander, 
f  William  Williams,  Whitmel  Hill,  Kenneth  McKenzie, 
I      Thomas  Wiggins,  Edward  Smithwick. 
I  John    Ashe,   John  Devane,    Samuel  Ashe,    Sampson 
I      Mosely,  and  .John  Hollingsworth. 
I  Allen  Jones,  Jeptha  Atherton,  Eaton  Haynes,  Drury 
I      Gee,  Samuel  Lockhart,  Howel  Edmunds. 
]  George  Mitchell,  Benjamin  Doty,  John  Spicer,  John 
I      King,  and  John  Norman. 

J.John  Kinchen,  .James  Saunders,    John  Butler,  Na- 
I     thaniel  Rochester,  Thomas  Burke, 
f  Miles  Harvey,  William  Skinner,  Thomas  Harvey,  Chas. 
1      Blount,  and  Charles  Moore. 

Thomas    Boyd,    Joseph    Jones,   William    Gumming, 
Dempsey  Burges,  and  Henry  Abbot. 

John  Simpson,  Edward  Salter,  William  Robeson. 

Griffith  Rutherford,  Matthew  Locke. 


Archibald  Corry. 

f  Joel  Lane,  John  Hinton,  John  Rand,  William  Hooper, 
I      and  Tignal  Jones. 

*  Bute  was  divided  in  1779,  into  Warren  and  Franklin, 
t  Dobbs  was  divided  in  1791,  into  Glasgow  and  Lenoir.     Glasgow  was 
changed  in  1799,  to  Greene. 

X  Father  of  Hon.  Wm.  H.  Battle. 

^  Tryon  was  divided  in  1791,  into  Lincoln  and  Rutherford. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  79 

Towns.— Bath,  William  Brown  ;  Edenton,  Joseph  Hewes  ;  Newbern,  Ab- 
ner  Nash;*  Wilmiugton,  Cornelius  Ilarnet ;  Halifax,  Wilie  Jones  ;  Hillsboro', 
William  Johnston  ;  Salisbury,  David  Nesbit ;  Campbelton,  Arthur  Council. 

Allen  Jones  proposed  Samuel  Johnston  for  President,  Tvho 
■was  unanimously  chosen. 

James  Green  was  appointed  Secretary,  John  Hunt,  assistant, 
and  Francis  Lynaugh  and  Evan  Swann,  Door  Keepers. 

Six  Brigadier  Generals  were  created  at  this  session,  viz. :  on  the 
22d  of  April. 

John  Ashe,  for  the  District  of  Wilmington. 

Edward  Vail,  "  "  Edenton. 

Richard  Caswell,  "  "  Newbern. 

Allen  Jones,  "  "  Halifax. 

Thomas  Person,  "  "  Hillsboro'. 

Griffith  Rutherford,  "  "  Salisbury. 

Four  regiments  in  addition  to  the  two  already  raised  were 
created,  and  as  the  colonels  of  these,  James  Moore  and  Robert 
Howe,  had  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier  Generals  in  the 
Continental  Army,  the  following  appointments  were  then  made : — 

Regiments.  Colonels.  Lieut.  Colonels.  Majors. 

1st.  Francis  Nash.f  Thomas  Clarke,  William  Davis. 

2d.  Alexander  Martin,  John  Patton,  John  White. 

3d.  Jethro  Sumner,  William  Alston,  Samuel  Lockhart. 

4th.  Thomas  Polk,  James  Thackston,  William  Davidson. 

5th.  Edvrard  Buncombe,  Henry  Irwin,  Levi  Dawson. 

6th.  Alex'r  Lillington,  William  Taylor,  Gideon  Lamb. 

The  other   officers  of  the  1st  and  2d  Regiments,  have  already 

been  recorded.     The  following  were  appointed  captains  in  the  re- 
maining regiments : — 

3d  Reg't.     1st.  William  Brinkley.  2d.  Pinkithan  Eaton. 

3d.  John  Gray.  4th.  William  Barrot. 

5th.  Jacob  Turner.  6th.  George  Grandbury. 

7th.  James  Cook.  8th.  James  Ennet. 

4th.  Reg't.     1st.  Roger  Moore.  2d.   John  Ashe. 

3d.  Jerome  McLean.  4th.  Robert  Smith. 

5th.  William  Temple  Cole.  6th.  Thomas  Harris. 

7th.  Joseph  Phillips.  8th.  John  Nelson. 

Dr.  Robert  Hall,  Chirurgeon  of  3d  Regiment ;  Dr.  Hugh  Boyd, 
4th  Regiment ;  Dr.  Samuel  Cooley,  5th  Regiment ;  Dr.  Wm.  Mc 
Clure,  6th  Regiment. 

Paymasters. — James  Hogan,  of  3d  Regiment,  also  of  the  three 
companies  of  Light  Horse ;  Samuel  Ashe,  1st  Regiment ;  Jacob 
Blount,  2d  Regiment ;  Hezekiah  Alexander,  4th  Regiment ;  Thomas 
Benbury,  5th  Regiment ;  Nathaniel  Rochester,  6th  Regiment. 

Commissaries. — William  Kennon,  1st  Regiment ;  Robert  Salter, 
2d  Regiment ;  John  Webb,  3d  Regiment ;  Ransom  Southerland,  4th 
Regiment;  Peter  Mallet,  5th  Regiment;  Thomas  Hart,  6th  Regi- 
raent. 

*  Father  of  Hon.  Frederick  Nash.  t  ^'^^cle  of  the  same. 


80  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Officers  of  the  Battalions  ordered  to  be  raised,  appointed  by  the 
House : — 

Edenton  District — Peter  Simon  and  John  Pugh  Williams,  Captains ;  An- 
drew Duke  and  Thomas  Witmel  Pugh,  1st  Lieutenants ;  Nehemiah  Long  and 
Joseph  Clayton,  2d  Lieutenants ;  Benjamin  Bailey  and  Elisha  Rhodes,  En- 
signs ;  Jerome  McLaine,  Thomas  Grandbury,  and  Kedar  Ballard,  Captains ; 
Jacob  Pollock  and  John  Grandbury,  1st  Lieutenants  ;  Whitmel  Blount  and 
Zephaniah  Burgess,  2d  Lieutenants ;  Wm.  Knott,  Ensign ;  Rodger  Moore, 
Captain ;  William  Goodman,  1st  Lieutenant;  Beniajah  Turner,  2d  Lieutenant; 
Abel  Mosslander,  Ensign. 

Halifax  District. — William  Brinkly  and  Pinkithan  Eaton,  Captains; 
Isaac  Privat  and  James  Bradly,  1st  Lieutenants;  Christopher  Lucky  and 
Robert  Washington,  2d  Lieutenants  ;  William  Etheridge  and  Joseph  Mont- 
fort,  Ensigns ;  John  Gray  and  Jacob  Turner,  Captains ;  Joseph  Clinch  and 
Daniel  Jones,  1st  Lieutenants  ;  Matthew  Wood  and  Alsop  High,  2d  Lieute- 
nants; William  Linton  and  Benjamin  Morgan,  Ensigns. 

Hillsboro'  District. — Philip  Taylor  and  Archibald  Lytle,  Captains;  John 
Kennon  and  Thomas  Donoho,  1st  Lieutenants  ;  Dempsey  Moore  and  William 
Thompson,  2d  Lieutenants  ;  Solomon  AValker  and  William  Lyttle,  Ensigns; 
James  Emmett,  Captain  ;  William  Clements,  1st  Lieutenant. 

Wilmington  District. — John  Ashe,  Jr.  and  John  James,  Captains ;  Charles 
Hollingsworth  and  Daniel  AVilliams,  1st  Lieutenants ;  Mark  McLainy  and 
John  McCan,  2d  Lieutenants  ;  David  Jones  and  Edward  Outlaw,  Ensigns ; 
Griffith  John  McKee,  Captain  ;  Francis  Child,  1st  Lieutenant. 

Newhern  District. — Simon  Alderson  and  John  Enloe,  Captains ;  William 
Groves  and  George  Suggs,  1st  Lieutenants  ;  John  Custin  and  Henry  Cannon, 
2d  Lieutenants;  James  McKenny  and  Shadrack  Wooten,  Ensigns;  William 
Cassel  and  Reading  Blount,  Captains  ;  Henry  Darnell  and  Benjamin  Cole- 
man, 1st  Lieutenants  ;  John  Sitgreaves  and  John  Allen,  2d  Lieutenants  ; 
John  Bush  and  Thomas  Blount,  Ensigns;  Benjamin  Stedman,  Captain;  Robert 
Turner,  1st  Lieutenant;  John  Eborn,  2d  Lieutenant ;  Charles  Stewart,  Ensign. 

Salisbury  District. — Robert  Smith  and  William  Temple  Cole,  Captains ; 
William  Brownfield  and  James Carr,  1st  Lieutenants;  William  Caldwell  and 
David  Craig,*  2d  Lieutenants ;  Thomas  McClure  and  Joseph  Patton,  Ensigns ; 
Thomas  Haines  and  Jesse  Saunders,  Captains ;  Thomas  Picket  and  William 
Clover,  1st  Lieutenants  ;  John  Madaris  and  Pleasant  Henderson,!  2d  Lieute- 
nants ;  John  Morpis  and  Thomas  Grant,  Ensigns;  William  Ward,  Captain; 
Christopher  Gooding,  2d  Lieutenant;  John  Whitley,  1st  Lieutenant;  Richard 
Singletary,  Ensign;  Willis  Pope,  2d  Lieutenant;  John  Hopson,  Ensign; 
George  Mitchell  and  Austin  Council,  Captains ;  Amos  Love  and  Thomas 
White,  1st  Lieutenants  ;  Benjamin  Pike  and  Thomas  Armstrong,  2d  Lieute- 
nants ;  Reuben  Grant  and  Denny  Porterfield,  Ensigns;  James  Farr,  2d  Lieu- 
tenant; Jamas  Coots,  Ensign  ;  Joseph  Phillips  and  John  Nelson,  Captains; 
James  Sheppard  and  William  Dent,  Jr.,  1st  Lieutenants ;  Micajah  Lewis 
and  James  Starrat,  2d  Lieutenants  ;  William  Meredith  and  Alex.  Nelson, 
Ensigns;  John  Baptiste  Ashe,  Captain;  George  Dougherty,  1st  Lieutenant; 
Andrew  Armstrong,  2d  Lieutenant ;  Joshua  lladley.  Ensign  ;  James  Cook, 
Captain  ;  Adam  Hampton,  1st  Lieutenant;  .John  Walker,  Jr.,  2d  Lieutenant; 
Adam  McFadden,  Ensign, 

LIGHT  HORSE. 

\st  Company. — John  Dickerson,  Captain  ;  Samuel  Ashe,  Jr.,  Lieutenant ; 
Abraham  Childers,  Cornet. 

2d  Company. — Martin  Pfifer,  Captain ;  James  Sumner,  Lieutenant ;  Valen- 
tine Beard,  Cornet. 

'id  Company. — James  Jones,  Captain ;  Cosimo  Madacy,  Lieutenant;  James 
Armstrong,  Cornet. 

*  Father  of  Burton  Craig,  Esq.,  of  Salisbury. 

t  Father  of  Dr.  Pleasant  Henderson,  of  Salisbury,  and  of  Mrs.  H.  C.  Jonea. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


81 


FIELD  OFFICERS  APPOINTED  FOR  EACH  COUNTY. 


Counties. 
Anson 
Beaufort 
Bute 

Craven 

Currituck 

Cumberland 

Chatham 

Duplin 

Dobbs 

Edgecombe 

Granville 

Guilford 

Halifax 

Johnston 


Colonels. 
Charles  Medlock, 

Thomas  Eaton, 

John  Bryan, 
IloUowell  Williams, 
Alex'r  McAllister 

Thos.  Routledge, 
Exum  Lewis, 


Jas.  Martin, 
Willis  Alston, 
Wm.  Bryan, 
Mecklenburg  Adam  Alexander, 
New  Hanover  Xnihonj  Ward, 
Northampton^ va..  Eaton, 
John  Butler, 
Jas.  Saunders, 
Thos.  Boyd, 
Isaac  Gregory, 
Francis  Locke, 
[  C.  Beckman, 


Oranqe 
(So.  Reg' t) 
Same 
(No.  Reg't) 

Pasquotank 

Do 

(2d  Reg't) 

Rowan 

Do 

(2d  Reg't) 

Surrey 


Lieut.  Colonels. 
David  Love, 

Wm.  Alston, 

Lemuel  Hatch, 
Solo.  Perkins, 
Ebenezer  Folsome 


Martin  Caswell, 
Simon  Gray, 


1st  and  2d  Majors. 

I  Wm.  Picket, 
\  Geo.  Davidson, 
j  Wm.  Brown, 
I  Henry  Bonner, 
j  Thos.  Sherwood, 
I  Green  Hill. 

f  John  Bryan,  Jr. 
I  John  Tilman. 
Asahel  Simmonds. 

f  David  Smith, 
'   I  Philip  Alston, 
Matthew  Jones. 

f  Jas.  Moore, 

I  Robt.  Dickson. 

f  Wm.  McKennie, 

jja 


as.  Glasgow^ 

j  Jonas  Johnston, 

I  Thos.  Hunter. 

Thornton  Yancy. 

f  Thos.  Owen, 

I  Thos.  Blair. 

f  Jas.  Hogan, 

I  Sam'l  Weldon. 

J  Sam'l  Smith, 

]  John  Stevens. 

John  Davidson, 

Geo.  A.  Alexander. 

Henry  Young, 

Thos.  Bloodworth. 

T     i,i.i,     AiU     *.  f  Howell  Edmunds, 

JephthaAtherton,    {  prury  Gee. 

f  Robt.  Abercrombie, 
I  Hugh  Tennen. 
( John  Paine, 
I  Thos.  Hatrison. 
■  Othneil  Lascelles, 


John  Paisley, 
David  Sumner, 
John  Smith, 
John  Phifer, 


N.  Rochester, 
Wm.  Moore, 
Spencer  Ripley, 
Dempsy  Burgess, 
Alex'r  Dobbins, 
Chas.  McDowell, 


Tyrrell 
Tryon 


Clement  Crook, 
Thos.  Beatty, 


John  Casey. 
Joshua  Campbell, 
Peter  Daugh. 
Jas.  Brannon, 
Jas.  Smith. 
Hugh  Brevard, 
Geo.  Wilfong. 
Jos.  Winston, 
Jesse  Walton. 
Jos.  Spruill, 
Andrew  Long. 
Jacob  Costner. 


Jas.  Long, 
A.  Hampton, 

This  finished  the  military  organization  of  the  State.  The  names 
of  these  men  are  preserved,  that  they  be  known,  as  men  who,  in 
"times  that  tried  men's  souls,"  stood  up  for  their  country  and  our 
liberties. 

This  body  passed  April  12th,  1776,  the  follo^iDg  resolution 

unanimously : — 
6 


82  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

''Besolved,  That  the  Delegates  from  this  Colony  in  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  be  impowered  to  concur  with  the  delegates  from 
the  other  colonies,  in  declaring  Independence  and  forming  foreign 
alliances;  reserving  to  this  colony  the  sole  and  exclusive  right  of 
forming  a  constitution  and  laws  for  this  colony." 

This  showed  the  spirit  of  North  Carolina,  and  proves  that  more 
than  two  months  before  the  event  was  declared  in  Congress,  that 
she  was  ready  as  a  State  to  dissolve  the  bands  that  bound  her  to 
the  mother  country. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  William  Hooper,  Joseph  Hewes,  and 
John  Penn,  were  appointed  delegates  to  the  Continental  Congress. 

And  these  names  are  signed  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
4th  of  July,  1776.  It  is  not  very  flattering  to  our  State  pride 
that  not  one  of  these  were  natives  of  the  State. 

William  Hooper,  from  Wilmington,  was  born  in  Boston,  June 
17th,  1742,  a  lawyer  by  profession,  and  an  able  writer.  He  died 
in  October  1790. 

Joseph  Hewes,  from  Edenton,  born  in  New  Jersey,  in  1735,  a 
merchant.     Died  November  10th,  1779. 

John  Penn,  from  Granville,  born  in  Caroline  County,  Virginia, 
May  17th,  1741,  a  lawyer.     He  died  in  September,  1788. 

Every  member  from  Virginia,  and  every  member  from  South 
Carolina,  who  signed  the  Declaration,  were  natives  of  their  re- 
spective States. 

The  House,  on  the  11th,  made  choice  of  one,  and  the  members 
from  the  districts  of  twelve  persons  to  serve  as 

A  COUNCIL  OF  SAFETY  FOR  THE  STATE. 
Wilie  Jones,  Chairman. 
f  James  Coor, 


Mu-hem  I  John  Simpson. 

■m     ,  f  Thomas  Jones, 

Udenton  |  whitmel  Hill. 

rj  j.f  (Thomas  Eaton, 

Malijax  I  Joseph  j^hn  Williams. 


-rrrn    ■     .        f  Comelius  Harnett, 
Wdmmgton    |  gamuel  Ashe. 

\  John  Hand. 

CI  T  ^  f  Ilezekiah  Alexander, 

Salisbury        |  ^^j^j^^  ^^^^^^^ 


The  formation  of  a  Constitution  engaged  the  attention  of  this 
Assembly. 

On  the  28th  of  April,  the  House  had  under  consideration  certain 
resolutions  as  a  foundation  for  a  civil  government.  But  the  more 
urgent  business  of  preparing  the  State  for  defence  from  the  enemy, 
so  engrossed  the  attention  of  the  Assembly  that  the  matter  was  post- 
poned until  the  next  meeting  of  the  delegates. 

On  the  14th  of  May,  1776,  this  body  adjourned. 

The  Council  of  Safety  met  at  Wilmington,  on  the  5th  of 
June,  1776.  Cornelius  Harnett  was  again  chosen  President,  and 
James  Glasgow,  and  James  Green,  Jr.,  Secretaries.  Measures  to 
put  down  the  Tories  chiefly  occupied  their  attention. 

Early  in  July,  Gen.  Rutherford,  at  the  head  of  nineteen  hundred 
men,  crossed  the  ^Mountains  against  the  Cherokees.    He  was  accom- 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  83 

i 

panied  by  Benjamin  Cleaveland,  of  Wilkes,  as  one  of  his  Captains, 
and  William  Lenoir,*  of  the  same  county.  He  was  harassed  on 
his  march  by  the  savages  lying  in  ambush ;  no  general  action  en- 
sued. He  succeeded  in  vanquishing  them  without  serious  loss, 
destroyed  their  crops  and  provisions,  laid  waste  their  farms,  and 
compelled  them  to  sue  for  peace,  f 

The  Council  of  Safety  met  in  July,  1776,  at  Halifax. 

On  the  22d  of  July,  the  Declaration  of  Independence  reached 
them.  The  council  unanimously  resolved  "  that  the  committee  of  the 
respective  counties  and  towns  in  this  State,  on  receiving  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence,  do  cause  the  same  to  be  proclaimed  in  the 
most  public  manner." 

The  Council  set  apart  the  first  day  of  August,  as  a  day  for  pro- 
claiming the  Declaration  at  the  Court  House  in  Halifax. 

It  was  a  proud  day  for  the  ancient  borough. 

"  And  Belgium's  capital  had  gathered  then 
Her  beauty  and  her  chivalry." 

Bright  shone  the  glorious  sun,  as  if  nature  rejoiced  at  the  birth 
of  a  mighty  nation ;  at  noon,  Cornelius  Harnett  ascended  a  stage 
in  front  of  the  court  house,  and  read  the  words  of  that  instrument, 
that  so  many  millions  have  since  heard,  which  gave  life  to  our  own 
nation,  and  has  proved  a  beacon  of  liberty  to  others. 

When  he  had  finished,  the  people  gave  one  long  united  shout  of 
joy,  the  loud  cannon  responded,  and  the  glorious  tidings  was  pro- 
claimed, that  "these  Colonies  were,  and  ought  to  be,  sovereign, 
free,  and  Independent  States." 

And  here  ends  the  first  series  of  these  sketches. 


*  See  the  Biography  of  Gen.  Lenoir,  Wilkes,  vol.  ii."chap,  Ixxx. 
t  See  Biography  of  Gen,  Eutherford,  Rowan,  vol.  ii.  chap.  Ixvii. 


SERIES    II. 

HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA  FROM  1776  TO  1851. 


CHAPTER  I. 


The  Constitution,  by  whom,  when,  and  where  formed — Congress  of  the  State 
meets  at  Halifax,  on  the  12th  of  November,  1776 — Names  of  the  members 
— Richard  Caswell,  President — Committee  appointed  to  form  a  Constitu- 
tion— Names  of  committee — Richard  Caswell  elected  Governor,  and  the 
names  of  the  Council  of  State. 

North  Carolina  early  took  steps  to  organize  a  civil  form  of 
government. 

Before  the  Declaration  of  Independence  by  Congress  at  Phila- 
delphia, the  Provincial  Congress  of  North  Carolina,  then  assembled 
at  Halifax  (on  the  13th  of  April,  1776),  appointed  a  committee  of 
its  ablest  men  to  prepare  a  civil  constitution.  This  was  no  easy 
duty.  To  take  up  arms,  and  to  contend  against  tyranny  and  op- 
pression, was  not  difficult ;  but  to  create  a  new  government,  based 
upon  principles  distinct  and  different  from  all  the  forms  to  which 
the  people  had  been  accustomed  ;  to  give  to  the  hand  of  power  that 
strength  which  was  necessary  for  the  full  execution  of  the  law,  and 
at  the  same  time  prevent  oppression ;  to  reserve  to  the  people  all 
their  proper  rights,  and  yet  check  anarchy  and  confusion ;  demanded 
great  sagacity. 

The  committee,  consisting  of  such  men  as  Samuel  Johnston,  Cor- 
nelius Harnett,  Samuel  Ashe,  William  Hooper  and  others,  could  not 
agree  upon  any  form  of  a  constitution  ;  and  after  much  debate  and 
frequent  postponements,  in  this  body,  the  question  was  adjourned 
by  the  appointment  of  Thomas  Burke,  Richard  Caswell,  and  others 
as  a  committee  to  propose  a  temporary  form  of  government  until 
the  next  session." 

The  system  of  the  Council  of  Safety  was  adopted,  and  the  Coun- 
cil recommended  to  the  people  to  elect,  on  the  15tli  of  October, 
delegates  to  a  Congress  appointed  to  assemble  at  Halifax,  on  the 
12th  of  November  following,  which  was  "not  only  to  make  laws, 
but  also  to  form  a  Constitution  which  was  to  be  the  corner-stone 
of  all  law ;  and,  as  it  was  well  or  ill  ordered,  would  tend  to  the 
happiness  or  misery  of  the  State." 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


85 


This  body  met  at  the  time  and  place  recommended. 
The  following  delegates  appeared: — 


Counties. 

1.  Anson 

2.  Beaufort 

3.  Bladen 

4.  Bertie 

5.  Brunswick 

6.  Bute 

7.  Craven 

8.  Carteret 

9.  Currituck 

10.  Chowan 

11.  Cumberland 

12.  Chatham 

13.  IJofefts 

14.  Duplin 

15.  Edgecombe 

16.  Granville 

17.  Guilford 

18.  ^?/(fe 

19.  Hertford 

20.  Halifax 

21.  Johnston 

22.  Mecklenburg 

23.  iforzliw 

24.  ^ew  Hanover 

25.  Northampton 

26.  Onslow 

27.  Orange 


Members. 
J  Thomas  Wade,  David  Love,  William  Picket,  George 
I      Davidson,  Charles  Robertson. 

I  John   Barrow,  Thomas  Respiss,  Thomas  Respiss,  Jr., 
[      Francis  Jones,  Robert  Tripp. 

f  Thomas  Pugh,  John  Johnston,  William  Gray,  Noah 

I      Hinton,  Zedekiah  Stone. 

I  Maurice  Moore,  Cornelius  Harnett,  Archibald  McLean, 

I      Lewis  Dupree,  William  Lord. 

I  James   Denton,   Thomas   Eaton,  Philemon   Hawkins, 

I      Benjamin  Sewall,  Benjamin  Ward. 

[James  Coor,  William  Bryan,  John  Bryan,  Christopher 

I      Neale,  John  Tilghman. 

(  Solomon  Shepard,  Brice   Williams,  William   Borden, 

\     John  Easton,  Thomas  Chadwick. 

I  Samuel  Jarvis,  James  White,  Kedar  Merchant,  Hol- 

(      lowell  Williams,  Thomas  Williams. 

I  James  Blount,  Thomas  Benbury,  Thomas  Jones,  Luke 

(      Sumner,  Jacob  Hunter. 

Ambrose   Ramsey,   John    Birdsong,    Mial    Scurlock, 
Isaiah  Hogan,  Jeduthan  Harper. 

Richard  Caswell,  Simon  Bright,  Abraham  Sheppard, 

Benjamin  Exum,  Andrew  Bass. 
'  James  Kenan,  Thomas  Gray,  William  Dickson,  Wil- 
liam Taylor,  James  Gillaspie. 

William  Haywood,  Elisha  Battle,  Jonas  Johnston,  Isaac 

Sessums,  William  Horn. 
'  Thomas  Person,  Robert  Lewis,  Memucan  Hunt,  Thorn- 
ton Yancey,  John  Oliver. 

David  Caldwell,  Joseph  Hinds,  Ralph  Gorrell,  Charles 

Bruce,  Isham  Browder. 
'  Joseph  Hancock,  John  Jordan,  Benjamin   Parmerle, 
William  Russel,  Abraham  Jones. 

Lawrence  Baker,  William  Murfree,  Robert  Sumner, 
Day  Ridley,  James  Wright. 

John  Bradford,  James  Hogan,  AVillis  Alston,  Samuel 
Weldon,  Benjamin  McCulloch. 

Needham  Bryan,  Jr.,  Samuel  Smith,  Jr.,  John  Stevens, 
Henry  Rains,  Alexander  Averyt. 

John  Pfifer,  Robert  Irwin,  Zaccheus  Wilson,  Hezekiah 
Alexander,  Waightstill  Avery. 

William   Williams,  Whitmell    Hill,  Thomas   Hunter, 
John  Hardison,  Samuel  Smithwick. 

John  Ashe,    Samuel   Ashe,    John   Devane,    Sampson 
Mosely,  John  IloUingsworth. 

Allen  Jones,  Jephtha  Atherton,  James  Ingram,  How- 
ell Edmunds,  Robert  Peaples. 

John  Spicer,  Thomas  Johnston,  Benejah  Doty,  Edward 
Starkey,  Henry  Rhodes. 

James  Saunders,  William  Moore,  John  McCabe,  John 
Atkinson,  John  Paine.* 


*  These  seats  were  vacated,  and  on  the  16th  of  December,  1776,  Thomas 
Burke,  Nathaniel  Rochester,   Alexander  Mebane,  John  Butler,   and  John  , 
McCabe,  took  their  seats  from  Orange. 


86  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Counties.  Members. 


28    Prrmnmnn',      J  Benjamin   Harvey,   Miles    Harvey,    Thomas  Harvey, 
zo.  j-etquimans       ,      ^yjnj^^^  Hooper,  William  Skinner. 

29.  Pasquotank      \  ^^^^  ^'^^^*'  l^evotion  Davis,  Isaac  Gregory,  Demsey 

^  (      Uurgess,  Lemuel  oawyer. 

oQ    p-f,  (Benjamin    May,   William    Robson,   James    Gorham, 

(      George  Evans,  Edward  Salter. 
31    Poi  a  i  Griffith  Rutherford,  Matthew  Lock,  William  Sharpe, 

I     James  Smith,  John  Brevard. 
32.  Surry 

90    ji     .11  (  Peter  Wynn,  Jeremiah  rrazier,Isham  Webb,  Stephens 

'^  '      "  1      Lee,  Benjamin  Blount. 

nA    rp,  (Joseph  Harden,  Robert  Abernathy,  William  Graham, 

•'  1      AVilliam  Alston,  John  Barber. 

"^^    TV  hfi  \  '^'^?<^^^  Jones,  James  Jones,  Michal  Rogers,  John  Rice, 

I      Britain  Fuller,  W^illiam  Brown. 

Towns. — Bath,  Parker  Quince ;  Brunswick,  Thomas  Hadley  ;  Campbelton, 
Joseph  Hewes ;  Edenton,  Willie  Jones;  Halifax,  William  Johnston;  Hills- 
boro',  Abner  Nash ;  Newbern,  David  Nisbet;  Salisbury,  William  Hooper ; 
Wilmington. 

On  motion  of  Allen  Jones,  Richard  Caswell  was  elected  president 
of  the  body. 

On  the  13th,  a  committee  was  appointed  consisting  of  Mr.  Caswell,  Thomas 
Person,  Allen  Jones,  John  Ashe,  Abner  Nash,  Willie  Jones,  Thomas  Jones, 
Mr.  Bright,  Mr.  Neale,  Samuel  Ashe,  Mr.  Haywood,  Gen.  Rutherford,  Mr. 
Abbot,  Luke  Sumner,  Thomas  Respiss,  Jr.,  Mr.  McLean,  Mr.  Hogan,  and 
Mr.  Alexander,  to  form  a  bill  of  rights,  and  constitution  for  the  State. 

Mr.  Hewes,  Mr.  Harnett,  Mr.  Sharpe,  Mr.  Spear,  Mr.  Avery,  Mr.  Eaton, 
Birdsong,  Irwin,  Hill,  and  Coor,  were  added  afterwards. 

On  the  6th  of  December,  Thomas  Jones  reported  that  the  form 
of  the  constitution  was  ready. 

On  the  18th,  the  Constitution  with  the  Bill  of  Rights  was  adopted ; 
it  was  believed  to  be  the  production  of  Thomas  Jones,  Thomas  Burke, 
and  Richard  Caswell. 

By  an  ordinance  of  this  body  the  following  officers  were  elected : — 

Richard  Caswell,  Governor  of  the  State. 
James  Glasgow,  Secretary  of  State. 

Cornelius  Harnett,  Edward  Starkey, 

Thomas  Person,  Joseph  Leech, 

William  Day,  Thomas  Eaton, 

William  Haywood,  Counsellors  of  State. 

Thus  was  the  good  old  ship  fairly  launched  upon  the  ocean  of 
existence,  under  the  auspices  of  patriotism.  The  debates  that 
occurred,  the  difficulties  encountered,  the  trials  and  conflicts  of  dif- 
ferent vieAvs,  are  not  recorded  here.  Our  book  is  intended  to  be 
one  of  facts,  carefully  examined  and  correctly  stated. 

But  at  this  point  of  our  labors,  we  cannot  but  pause,  and  admire 
the  form  of  that  constitution,  that  introduced  system  in  "  an  un- 
tried state  of  being" — order,  where  before  chaos  existed.  That  it 
was  not  perfect,  is  certainly  true,  for  it  was  amended  by  the  people 
since  (1835),  and  will  be  again.  But  the  great  principles  it  incul- 
cates, the  spirit  of  liberty  it  breathes,  the  trials  of  those  who  aided 


HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLINA.  87 

its  establisliment,  command  alike  our  respect,  gratitude  and  ad- 
miration. 

"  Thou  too,  sail  on,  0  ship  of  State, 
Sail  on,  0  Union  !  strong  and  great ; 
Humanity,  with  all  its  fears. 
With  all  the  hope  of  future  years, 
Is  hanging  breathless  on  thy  fate  ! 
We  know  what  masters  laid  thy  keel, 
What  workmen  wrought  thy  ribs  of  steel, 
Who  made  each  mast,  and  sail,  and  rope, 
What  anvils  rang,  what  hammers  beat, 
In  what  a  forge,  in  what  a  heat 
Were  shaped  the  anchors  of  thy  hope." 


CHAPTER    II. 

Life,  character,  services,  and  death  of  Richard  Caswell,  first  Governor  of 
North  Carolina  under  the  Constitution. 

Richard  Caswell  was  born  in  Maryland  on  the  3d  of  August, 
1T29. 

From  tlie  pecuniary  mishaps  of  his  father,  who  was  a  respecta- 
ble merchant,  he  was  early  thrown  upon  his  own  resources.  By 
nature  bold,  ardent  and  ambitious,  such  difficulties,  instead  of 
embarrassing,  only  added  energy  to  his  character. 

At  the  age  of  seventeen,  in  1746,  he  left  his  home  to  seek  his 
fortunes  in  the  then  colony  of  North  Carolina.  Rearing  letters  to 
Gov.  Johnston,  the  royal  governor,  from  the  Governor  of  Maryland, 
he  was  fortunate  to  receive  aid  from  him  by  employment  in  one  of 
the  public  offices. 

Subsequently,  he  was  appointed  deputy  surveyor  of  the  colony, 
and  clerk  of  Orange  County  Court.*  By  his  enterprise,  industry, 
and  prudence,  he  soon  acquired  fame,  friends,  and  fortune. 

He  located  in  Lenoir  County  (then  Dobbs  County),  and^  united 
himself  in  marriage  with  Mary  Mcllweane.  She  died,  leaving  one 
son,  William. 

He  afterwards  married  Sarah,  the  daughter  of  Wm.  Herritage, 
an  eminent  attorney,  under  whom  he  had  studied  law.  He  had 
obtained  a  license  and  practiced  the  profession  with  great  success. 
His  first  appearance  on  the  political  stage  was  as  member  of  the 
Colonial  Assembly,  from  Johnston  County,  in  1754. 

So  acceptable  were  his  services  that  he  continued  to  represent 
the  county  until  1771. 

^  Extract  from  records  of  Orange  County,  12th  June,  1753. 

•'Richard  Caswell,  gentleman,  brings  into  court  a  commission  from  the  lion, 
James  Murrah,  Esq.,  Secretary  and  Clerk  of  the  Crown  of  said  Province,  ap- 
pointing him  Clerk  of  the  said  County,  and  Clerk  of  the  Peace,  which,  being 
allowed,  he  took  the  several  oaths,  and  subscribed  the  test." 


88  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

In  1770  and  1771  he  was  chosen  speaker  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons. 

He  was  also  colonel  of  the  militia  of  his  county,  and  as  such 
commanded  the  right  wing  of  Gov.  Tryon's  forces  in  the  hattle  of 
Alamance  (16th  May,  1771),  which  was  the  first  time  that  he  ex- 
perienced the  conflict  of  arms,  which  was  so  congenial  to  his  tem- 
per, and  in  which  he  became  so  distinguished. 

When  the  attempts  of  England  to  subjugate  the  colony  became 
no  longer  doubtful,  Caswell  did  not  hesitate  to  choose  between 
the  rights  of  the  people  and  the  oppressions  of  sovereignty.  In 
1774  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  delegates  to  Congress,  with  Wm. 
Hooper  and  John  Hewes.  He  attended  as  delegate  to  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  at  Philadelphia,  in  1774-5-6,  and  received  the 
thanks  of  the  Provincial  Congress  for  his  fidelity.  On  being 
appointed,  with  Samuel  Johnston  (in  Sept.,  1775),  one  of  the 
treasurers  of  the  State,  the  disordered  finances  of  which  demanded 
his  care,  he  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Continental  Congress. 

But  his  military  spirit  was  not  inactive.  In  conjunction  with 
Colonel  Lillington,  he  assembled  the  minute  men  of  Dobbs  (of 
which  he  was  Colonel)  and  the  adjacent  counties,  to  prevent  the 
junction  of  the  Tories  under  Gen.  McDonald  with  Gen.  Clinton, 
in  the  Cape  Fear,  and  in  the  battle  at  Moore's  Creek,  in  New 
Hanover,  on  the  27th  of  February,  1776,  he  overcame  and  routed 
them,  took  their  general  prisoner,  and  completely  subdued  them. 

In  April,  1776,  he  was  appointed,  by  the  Provincial  Congress, 
Brigadier  General  of  the  Newborn  District,  and  in  November 
following,  took  his  seat  as  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress  at 
Halifax.  He  was  elected  President  of  that  body,  unanimously, 
which  assembly  formed  our  present  State  Constitution. 

He  received  the  thanks  of  the  Congress  for  his  gallantry  at 
Moore's  Creek.  By  an  ordinance  of  the  same,  was  elected  Gover- 
nor of  the  State,  which  he  held  during  the  stormy  and  perilous  pe- 
riods of  1776,  1777,  and  1778.  He  refused  any  compensation  for 
his  services. 

He  conducted,  with  singular  fidelity,  the  State  through  his  term 
as  Chief  Magistrate.  After  his'  term  as  Governor  had  expired,  his 
active  spirit  brooked  no  repose,  for  we  find  him  seconding  the  friends 
of  liberty  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  was  with  the  North  Carolina 
troops  at  Camden  (16th  August,  1780),  which  had  not  terminated 
so  disastrously  to  America,  and  the  fame  of  General  Gates,  had 
the  councils  of  Caswell  and  De  Kalb  (who  fell  in  that  ill-fated  con- 
flict) been  heeded. 

In  1782,  he  was  called  again  to  the  financial  department  of  the 
State,  and  was  elected  Comptroller-General,  at  the  session  of  which 
he  was  Speaker  of  the  Senate. 

He  continued  the  discharge  of  both  duties,  until  1785,  when  he 
was  ao-ain  elected  Governor  of  the  State;  a  circumstance  which 
proves  the  unbounded  popularity  of  Caswell,  and  the  grateful  esti- 
mate of  his  patriotic  services  by  the  State. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  89 

The  General  Assembly  of  1787  elected  him  a  delegate  to  the  con- 
vention which  was  to  meet  at  Philadelphia  in  May,  that  year,  to 
form  the  Federal  Constitution  ;  and  conferred  on  him  the  extraor- 
dinary power,  in  case  of  his  inability  to  attend,  to  select  his  succes- 
sor. This  important  trust  was  not  accepted  by  him ;  but  he  dele- 
gated Wm.  Blount,  whose  name  is  appended  to  that  instrument. 

In  1789,  he  was  elected  Senator  from  the  County  of  Dobbs  (now 
Lenoir  and  Greene)  to  the  General  Assembly,  and  also  a  member 
of  the  State  Convention,  which  assembled  in  Fayetteville  on  the 
third  Monday  in  November,  1789,  which  ratified  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution (it  having  been  rejected  by  a  Convention  which  met  at 
Hillsboro'  on  the  21st  of  July,  1788). 

He  attended  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  at  Fayetteville 
in  November,  and  was  elected  Speaker  of  the  Senate.  But  his 
course  was  run.  His  exalted  services  and  patriotic  exertions  did  not 
exempt  him  from  calamity  and  misfortune.  His  youngest  son  was 
lost  at  sea,  on  his  passage  from  Charleston  to  Newbern.  This 
calamity  was  heightened  by  the  opinion  that  he  was  captured  by 
pirates  and  murdered.  This,  and  other  events,  threw  a  cloud  over 
his  mind,  from  which  he  seemed  never  to  have  recovered.  While 
presiding  in  the  Senate  on  the  5th  of  November,  1789,  he  was  struck 
with  paralysis ;  and  after  lingering  speechless,  until  the  10th,  he 
expired,  in  the  sixtieth  year  of  his  age.  ^^•■ifc--^i-* 

Messrs.  Blount,  Skinner,  and  Bloodworth,  of  the  Senate,  and 
Messrs.  Davie,  Stokes,  Blount,  Locke,  Hawkins,  and  Person,  of  the 
House,  were  appointed  a  Committee  of  Arrangements  to  superin- 
tend his  funeral ;  an  eulogium  was  pronounced  over  his  remains, 
and  his  body  was  conveyed  to  his  family  burial-place  in  Lenoir, 
and  there  interred. 

These  facts,  with  an  examination  of  his  acts  and  services,  will 
afford  some  future  pen  an  opportunity  of  writing  the  biography 
of  the  first  Governor  of  North  Carolina  under  our  constitution, 
and  the  Annals  of  our  State,  commencing  from  his  military  career 
in  1771,  at  Alamance,  to  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war. 

His  character  does  not  claim  the  meed  of  distinguished  literary 
renown,  or  brilliant  eloquence ;  but  his  acquirements  were  extensive, 
and  his  knowledge  deep  and  accurate.  Nathaniel  Macon,  who  had 
been  in  Congress  during  the  days  of  Washington,  Adams,  Jeffer- 
son, Madison,  and  Monroe,  to  the  time  of  Jackson,  declared  in 
the  convention  of  1835,  that  "  Governor  Caswell,  of  Lenoir,  was  one 
of  the  most  powerful  men  that  ever  lived  in  this  or  any  other  coun- 
try."* It  is  recorded  of  him  that  he  committed  to  memory  the 
whole  four  books  of  Blackstone,  so  as  to  be  able  to  recite  accurate- 
ly any  portion  of  the  text  from  memory,  verbatim. 

As  a  statesman,  his  patriotism  was  unquestioned,  his  discern- 
ment was  quick,  and  his  judgment  sound ;  as  a  soldier,  his  courage 
■was  undaunted,  his  vigilance  untiring,  his  success  triumphant, 

*  Cotton,  Life  of  Macon,  178. 


90  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

His  character  and  his  career,  more  than  any  of  our  revolution- 
ary worthies,  resembles  that  of  the  Father  of  his  country. 

Like  Washington,  his  early  education  was  rather  solid  than  showy ; 
for  both  in  early  life  were  employed  as  surveyors. 

Like  Washington,  when  loyalty  was  a  duty  consistent  with  liberty, 
he  fought  for  the  authorities  of  the  country,  for  both  were  in  the 
field  under  the  royal  banners,  and  both  as  colonels  of  regiments: 
the  one  under  Braddock,  the  other  under  Tryon  at  Alamance. 

Both  refused  from  the  State  any  compensation  for  their  services. 
Both  were  always  equal  to  every  position  in  which  they  were  placed, 
and  faithfully  discharged  every  trust  committed  to  their  charge. 

Providence  assigned  to  one  a  higher  and  more  conspicuous  posi- 
tion. If  Virginia  is  proud  of  Washington,  North  Carolina  may 
justly  be  proud  of  her  Caswell. 

"  How  sleep  the  brave,  who  sink  to  rest 
With  all  their  country's  honors  blest! 
When  Spring,  with  dewy  lingers  cold, 
Returns  to  deck  their  hallowed  mould, 
She  there  shall  dress  a  sweeter  sod 
Than  Fancy's  feet  have  ever  trod. 

By  fairy  hands  their  knell  is  rung, 

By  forms  unseen  their  dirge  is  sung ; 
^^^^^^There  Honor  comes,  a  pilgrim  gray, 
^"^"^^xo  bless  the  turf  that  wraps  their  clay; 

And  Freedom  shall  awhile  repair. 

And  dwell  a  weeping  hermit  there." 

Durincr  the  administration  of  Governor  Caswell,  the  western  dis- 
trict  of  North  Carolina  revolted  and  formed  a  separate  govern- 
ment, independent  of  the  State.  As  this  event  has  escaped  the 
notice  of  every  author  of  her  history,  and  is  full  of  incident 
deeply  interesting,  we  give  it  a  separate  chapter. 


CHAPTER    III. 

State  of  Frankland,  its  rise,  progress,  and  fall. 

It  may  strike  the  reader  of  the  present  day  with  some  surprise 
that  there  was  once  a  State  called  Frankland,  in  honor  of  Benjamin 
Franklin,  the  philosopher  and  patriot.  Of  its  history,  much  is  re- 
corded, but,  perhaps,  little  is  known  in  the  present  day.  It  may 
be  curious  as  well  as  instructive,  to  trace  the  origin,  rise,  and  down- 
fall of  this  ancient  sovereignty. 

By  the  charter  of  Charles  II.,  granted  to  the  Earl  of  Clarendon, 
Duke  of  Albemarle,  Lord  Craven,  and  others,  in  1663,  all  the  ter- 
ritory from  the  Virginia  line  on  the  north,  to  the  south  as  far  as 
the  Biver  Matthias,  in  Florida;  from  the  Atlantic  on  the  east,  "to 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  91 

fhe  west,  as  far  as  the  South  Seas,  was  given  and  granted  to  have, 
use,  and  enjoy,  and  in  as  ample  manner  as  any  Bishop  of  Durham, 
in  our  kingdom  of  England,  ever  heretofore  have  held,  used,  or 
enjoyed,  to  them,  the  said  Earl  of  Clarendon  and  others,  and  their 
heirs  forever." 

Without  any  examination  into  the  title  of  "the  right  merrie 
monarch,"  Charles  II.,  to  grant  this  munificent  domain,  as  perhaps 
it  might  appear  as  defective  as  the  title  of  another  royal  character 
in  Sacred  History,*  who  took  our  Saviour  up  into  an  exceeding 
high  mountain,  and  showed  him  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world,  and 
the  glory  of  them,  and  said  unto  him,  "All  these  things  will  I  give 
thee,"  when  his  majesty  had  not  a  single  foot  for  himself;  yet  we 
cannot  but  remark,  on  examination  of  the  map,  that  the  present 
territory  of  the  United  States,  in  her  recent  acquisitions  by  treaty, 
from  Mexico,  just  comprehend  the  chartered  limits  of  ancient  Caro- 
lina in  1663. 

As  once  this  lovely  domain  belonged  to  our  country,  it  is  but 
natural  that  it  should  seek  its  original  position.  It  is  stated  by 
some  writer,  when  analyzing  the  affections  of  our  natures,  that  the 
love  we  bear  to  the  softer  sex  is  only  a  just  effort  of  man's  nature 
to  reunite  to  himself  that  portion  of  him,  which,  during  sleep,  was 
taken  from  him ;  and  again  "they  twain  shall  be  one  flesh." 

May  not  fancy  carry  out  the  analogy  to  nations  as  well  as 
natures  ? 

For  a  long  time,  under  the  rule  of  the  Lords  Proprietors,  the 
dominion  only  extended  over  Albemarle  County.  In  1664,  the 
county  extended  from  the  Virginia  line  north  to  Cape  Fear  River 
on  the  south,  and  skirting  along  the  sea  coast,  extended  only  a 
short  distance  west. 

In  1729,  when  the  Lords  Proprietors  surrendered  to  the  crown 
(except  Lord  Granville)  all  their"  franchises  and  rights,  under 
charter  of  Charles  II.,  the  precincts  of  North  Carolina  were  Curri- 
tuck, Pasquotank,  Perquimans,  Chowan,  Craven,  Beaufort,  Bertie, 
Hyde,  and  Carteret.* 

Their  territory  was  then  nearly  as  it  now  exists.  This  is  stated 
on  the  authority  of  Williamson,  f  A  more  accurate  author,  as  to 
the  dates  and  facts,  makes  a  primary  division  of  the  State  into 
three  Precincts. | 

I.  Albemarle,  including  Currituck,  Pasquotank,  Chowan,  Ber- 
tie, and  Tyrrell. 

II.  Bath,  including  Beaufort,  Hyde,  Craven,  and  Carteret. 

III.  Clarendon,  in  which  was  New  Hanover,  comprehended  the 
whole  western  part  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  then,  an  un- 
known land,  inhabited  only  by  savages  and  beasts  of  prey. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  chartered  rights  of  North  Carolina, 

*  Matthew,  iv.  8.  _  . 

t  Williamson's  History  of  North  Carolina,  vol.  ii.  246. 
X  Martin,  i,  303. 


92  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

in  1776,  she  only  claimed  jurisdiction  as  far  west  as  the  Mississippi 
River. 

Even  this  claim,  from  the  great  distance  of  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment, the  natural  barrier  of  almost  impenetrable  mountains,  rapid 
and  deep  rivers,  and  the  savage  natives,  was  never  fully  exercised, 
and  was  destined  to  be  surrendered  by  her. 

The  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War  found  the  United  States 
involved  in  heavy  responsibilities.  Harassed  by  debt,  importuned 
by  creditors,  and  conscious  of  the  justice  of  these  claims.  Congress 
devised  many  plans  ;  one  was  to  solicit  the  States,  owning  vacant 
lands,  to  throw  them  into  common  stock  to  pay  off  this  common 
debt  of  justice,  honor,  and  gratitude. 

This  appeal  did  not  fall  idly  on  the  State  of  North  Carolina, 
alive  as  she  always  has  been  to  the  calls  of  justice;  and  indignant 
at  the  least  suspicion  of  repudiation  or  perfidy. 

In  1784,  the  General  Assembly  in  April,  at  Hillsboro',  among 
other  acts  for  the  relief  of  the  general  government,  ceded  her  west- 
ern lands,  and  authorized  her  dele2;ation  in  Congress  to  execute  a 
deed ;  provided.  Congress  would  accept  this  offer  within  two  years. 
This  act,  patriotic  and  self-sacrificing,  was  worthy  of  the  State  ; 
and  although  not  then  accepted  by  Congress,  vras  the  real  source 
of  the  civil  commotion  Avhich  we  are  about  to  record. 

The  fearless  pioneers  of  the  west,  who  had  gone  to  the  wilder- 
ness, had  suffered  incredible  hardships.  Many  were  murdered  by 
the  savages  ;  some  had  their  wives  and  children  massacred ;  and  all 
had  suffered  in  privation  and  property. 

They  viewed  with  much  suspicion  the  act  of  1784  ;  and  on  the  23d 
August,  1784,  a  convention  met  at  Jonesboro',  of  which  John 
Sevier  was  chosen  president,  and  Langdon  Carter,  clerk.  They 
resolved  that  a  person  be  dispatched  to  Congress  to  press  the  ac- 
ceptance of  the  offer  of  North  Carolina,  and  adjourned  to  meet 
again  at  the  court  house,  in  Washington  County,  on  the  16th  Sep- 
tember, 1784. 

The  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina  met  at  Newborn  on 
the  22d  October,  1784,  and  repealed  the  act  of  the  former  session, 
in  consequence  of  which  the  convention  at  Jonesboro'  broke  up  in 
confusion. 

On  the  14th  of  December,  1784,  when  the  people  were  assembled 
at  Jonesboro',  John  Sevier  mounted  the  steps,  and  read  a  letter 
from  Joseph  Martin,  who  had  just  returned  from  the  General  As- 
sembly of  North  Carolina,  which  informed  them  that  the  Legisla- 
ture had  granted  to  the  people  of  western  North  Carolina  a  general 
court,  formed  their  militia  into  a  brigade,  appointed  him  a  brigadier 
general,  and  repealed  the  cession  act  of  last  session.  "  Our  griev- 
ances," said  he,  "are  redressed,  and  we  have  nothing  more  to  com- 
plain of ;  my  advice  is  to  cease  all  efforts  to  separate  from  North 
Carolina,  but  remain  firm  and  faithful  to  her  laws." 

This  history  forms  but  another  example  in  our  career,  that  "  re- 
volutions  take  no  hachivard  step.''     Feeble  hands  or  feebler  heads 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  93 

may  set  a  ball  in  motion,  which  will  prostrate  all  who  oppose  its 
career,  and  if  it,  as  in  Sevier's  case,  gives  a  momentary  elevation, 
ends  in  the  final  overthrow  and  disgrace  of  its  projectors. 

The  spirit  of  the  people  was  roused.  In  December  14th,  1784, 
a  convention  of  five  delegates  from  each  county  met  at  Jonesboro'. 
John  Sevier  was  made  president  of  this  convention.  They  formed 
a  constitution  for  the  State  of  Frankland,  which  was  to  be  re- 
jected or  received  by  another  body,  "fresh  from  the  people,"  to 
meet  at  Grreenville  in  November,  1785.  This  body  met  at  the 
time  and  place  appointed ;  the  constitution  was  ratified ;  Langdon 
Carter  was  Speaker  of  the  Senate ;  William  Cage  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Commons.  John  Sevier  was  chosen  Governor ;  David 
Campbell,  Joshua  Gist,  and  John  Henderson,  Judges  of  the  Supe- 
rior Court.     Other  officers,  civil  and  military,  were  appointed. 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Frankland,  by  a  commu- 
nication signed  by  both  speakers,  informed  Richard  Caswell,  Esq., 
Governor  of  North  Carolina,  that  the  people  of  the  counties  of 
Washington,  Sullivan,  and  Greene,  had  declared  themselves  sove- 
reign, and  independent  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina. 

Governor  Caswell  was  a  soldier  and  a  statesman.  He  was  not 
of  a  temper  to  brook  such  high-handed  measures.  He  issued,  on 
the  25th  of  April,  1785,  his  proclamation  "against  this  lawless 
thirst  for  power." 

In  this  paper,  written  with  great  force  and  perspicuity,  he  states 
that  the  act  of  cession  had  been  repealed ;  its  repeal  voted  for  by 
those  now  engaged  in  the  present  revolt ;  that  the  authority  of  North 
Carolina,  executive,  judicial,  and  legislative,  had  exercised  a  tender 
regard  for  the  people  of  the  west ;  and  had  granted  them  judges  to 
decide  on  their  property  and  rights,  and  military  officers  to  protect 
them.  He  denounced  the  revolt  as  a  rank  usurpation,  the  general 
government  deriving  no  benefit  (the  object  of  the  cession  act  of 
1784) ;  the  revenues  of  North  Carolina  had  been  seized,  and  the 
authority  of  law  defied.  These  measures  would  bring  down  ruin  to 
themselves  and  dishonor  to  the  country.  He  warned  all  persons 
concerned  in  this  revolt  to  return  to  their  duty  and  allegiance  to 
the  State,  and  pay  no  obedience  to  the  self-created  authority  of 
Frankland,  unknown  to  the  constitution  and  unsanctioned  by  law. 
He  closed  by  informing  them  that  the  General  Assembly  of  North 
Carolina  would  soon  be  in  session,  before  Avhich  all  these  unlawful 
acts  would  be  laid ;  advising  them  to  bring  forward  their  grievances 
then,  let  their  terms  of  separation  be  known,  their  proportion  of 
the  public  debt  acknowledged,  and  such  plans  as  were  consistent 
with  the  honor  of  the  State  would  generally  be  granted.  But,  if 
this  advice  wq-s  not  heeded,  "they  might  be  assured  that  the  spirit 
of  North  Carolina  was  not  so  damped,  or  her  resources  so  exhausted, 
that  means,  even  to  blood,  would  be  resorted  to  to  reclaim  her  re- 
fractory citizens,  and  preserve  her  dignity  and  honor." 

But  the  state  of  Frankland  did  not  heed  this  Avarning,  so  properly 
expressed,  and  so  dignified  in  its  character  and  tone.    It  proceeded 


94  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

to  erect  new  counties,  levy  taxes,  appropriate  money,  form  treaties 
with  the  Indians,  and  exercise  all  the  powers  and  prerogatives  of  a 
Sovereign  State- 
Mr.  Cage  was  elected  treasurer,  and  Stokely  Doncldson,  sur- 
veyor ;  Daniel  Kennedy  and  William  Cocke,  generals,  and  the  lat- 
ter (William  Cocke),  to  represent  their  case  to  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States.  The  imposing  parade  of  office,  the  host  of  new  offi- 
cers, and  their  dignities  and  powers,  were  formidable  obstacles  to 
the  restoration  of  the  rule  of  North  Carolina.* 

The  scarcity  of  money  was  severely  felt.  The  salary  of  the 
governor  was  £200,  annually ;  a  judge,  <£150  ;  the  treasurer,  £40 ; 
to  be  paid  from  the  treasury.  The  taxes  were  to  be  paid  into 
the  treasury,  in  the  circulating  medium  of  Frankland,  such  as  they 
had,  viz.  : — "  Good  flax  linen  ten  hundred,  at  three  shillings  and 
six  pence  per  yard ;  good  clean  beaver  skins,  six  shilhngs  each  ; 
raccoon  and  fox  skins,  at  one  shilling  and  three  pence ;  deer  skins, 
six  shillings  ;  bacon  at  six  pence  per  lb. ;  tallow  at  six  pence  ;  good 
whiskey,  at  two  shillings  and  sixpence  a  gallon." 

This  has  given  rise  to  some  humor  at  the  expense  of  the  State 
of  Frankland.  It  was  referred  to,  in  debate  in  our  House  of  Com- 
mons, 1827,  by  II.  C.  Jones,  and  in  Congress  some  years  ago  by 
the  Honorable  Daniel  Webster  ;  which  was  replied  to  by  Honorable 
Hugh  L.  White.  It  was  pleasantly  stated  that  the  salaries  of  the 
governor  and  judges  were  paid  in  fox  skins,  and  the  fees  of  the 
sheriff  and  constables,  in  mink  skins,  and  that  the  governor,  the 
sheriffs  and  constables  were  compelled  to  receive  the  skins  at  the 
established  price. 

Even  this  primitive  currency  was,  by  the  ingenuity  of  man, 
extensively  counterfeited,  by  sewing  raccoon  tails  to  opossum  skins  ; 
opOssum  skins  being  worthless,  and  abundant,  and  raccoon  skins 
were  valued  by  law,  at  one  shilling  and  three  pence. 

As  a  necessary  consequence,  public  opinion  was  divided  between 
the  advocates  of  the  new  State,  and  the  adherents  to  the  State  of 
North  Carolina. 

The  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina,  assembled  at  Newbern, 
in  November,  1785,  passed  an  act,  to  bury  into  oblivion  the  conduct 
of  Frankland,  provided  they  returned  to  their  allegiance,  and  ap- 
pointed elections  to  be  held  in  the  different  counties  for  members  to 
the  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina,  and  also  appointed  civil 
and  military  officers  to  support  those  already  appointed.  The  next 
year,  1786,  presented  a  strange  state  of  affairs ;  two  empires  ex- 
tended at  the  same  time  over  the  same  territory,  and  over  the  same 
people. 

Courts  were  held  by  both  governments,  military  officers  appoint- 
ed by  both,  to  exercise  the  same  powers.  John  Tipton  headed 
the  party  for  North  Carolina,  and  John  Sevier,  the  Frankland 
party. 

*  History  of  Tennessee  by  Haywood,  150. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  95 

Provocation  on  one  side,  was  followed  by  outrage  on  the  other, 
which  was  repelled  with  greater  violences.  Court  was  held  at  Buf- 
falo under  authority  of  North  Carolina,  and  at  Jonesboro'  (only  ten 
miles  distant)  under  authority  of  Frankland. 

While  court  was  sitting  at  Jonesboro'  this  year,  for  Washington 
County,  Colonel  Tipton,  with  a  party,  entered  the  court  house, 
seized  the  papers,  and  turned  the  justices  out  of  the  house.  Colonel 
Sevier's  party  retaliated  and  turned  Thomas  Gurly,  the  clerk,  out 
of  court,  sitting  for  North  Carolina,  in  the  same  county.  In  1786 
in  Greene  County,  Tipton  broke  up  a  court  held  under  authority  of 
Frankland. 

Tipton  and  Sevier  met  at  Greensboro',  when  an  altercation  arose, 
and  Sevier  struck  Tipton  with  a  cane  ;  they  instantly  clinched,^  and, 
after  several  blows,  were  separated  without  much  damage  to  either, 
or  victory  on  either  side.  We  are  quaintly  informed  that  had  they 
been  uninterrupted,  the  laurels  acquired  by  Sevier  on  King's  Mount- 
ain would  have  been  dimmed  by  the  stalwart  arm  of  Tipton.  This 
illustrious  example  was  followed  by  their  adherents,  and  "feats  of 
broils  and  battle"  were  no  uncommon  occurrence. 

The  next  year  taxes  were  imposed  by  both  administrations,  but 
the  people  most  innocently  pretended  that  they  did  not  know  to 
whom  to  pay ;  so  paid  to  neither.  Thus  deprived  of  one  of  the 
chief  means  of  government,  the  aifairs  of  Frankland  was  approach- 
ing to  its  end.  Tipton  and  Sevier  were  both  residents  of  Wash- 
ington County.  Sevier  was  a  brave  soldier ;  he  had  proved  his 
valor  on  King's  Mountain ;  but  he  was  seduced  by  the  allm-ements 
of  office  and  ambition — 

"  The  sin  whereby  the  angels  fell." 

He  applied  to  Dr.  Franklin  for  advice  and  support ;  to  the  Governor 
(Matthews)  of  Georgia,  and  to  Virginia ;  from  none  did  he  receive 
any  aid  or  advantage.  He  realized,  with  fearful  truth,  the  fable 
of  Gay — 

"  The  child  who  many  fathers  share, 

Hath  rarely  known  a  father's  care  ; 

And  he  who  on  many  doth  depend, 

Will  rarely  ever  find  a  friend." 

In  Sept.  1787,  the  Legislature  of  Frankland  met  for  the  last  time  at 
Greenville.  John  Menifee  was  Speaker  of  the  Senate,  and  Charles 
Robinson,  Speaker  of  the  House.  They  authorized  the  election  of 
two  representatives  to  attend  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina ; 
and  one  of  the  judges  of  Frankland  was  elected  (David  Campbell), 
and  her  treasurer  (Landon  Carter),  the  other. 

The  people  also,  in  this  year,  elected  members.  Davidson, 
Greene,  Washington,  Hawkins,  and  Sullivan,  sent  members  to 
the  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina,  which  met  at  Tarboro' 
on  the  18th  of  November  of  that  year.  Thus  acknowledging  the 
authority  of  North  Carolina. 

Had  this  been  done  earlier,  how  much  labor  would  have  been 


96  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

saved,  trouble,  strife,  and  quarrels.  Truly  is  the  Divine  injunction 
worthy  of  all  acceptance  :*  "Agree  with  thine  adversary  quickly, 
while  thou  art  in  the  way  with  him ;  lest  at  any  time  the  adversary 
deliver  thee  to  the  judge,  and  the  judge  deliver  thee  to  the  officer, 
and  thou  be  cast  into  prison." 

Had  the  party  of  Sevier  accepted  the  liberal,  fair,  and  just  pro- 
position of  Governor  Caswell,  in  1785,  as  stated  previously,  how  much 
pain  and  trouble  would  have  been  spared  to  this  country,  and  how 
much  personal  suffering  to  himself.  With  all  his  virtues,  honesty, 
and  former  public  service,  he  was,  at  this  time,  a  doomed  man. 

On  the  return  of  the  members  from  the  Assembly  at  Tarboro', 
in  February,  1788,  it  was  soon  understood  that  Frankland  was  no 

more. 

An  execution  against  the  estate  of  General  Sevier  had  been 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  sheriff,  and  levied  on  his  negroes  o« 
Nolichucky  River.  These  were  removed,  for  safe  keeping,  to  the 
house  of  Colonel  Tipton. 

Brave  in  his  character,  obstinate  and  headstrong,  Sevier  raised 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and  marched  to  Tipton's  House, 
on  Watauga  River,  eight  miles  east  of  Jonesboro'.  Tipton  had 
information  of  Sevier's  design  only  time  enough  to  obtain  the  aid 
of  some  fifteen  friends,  who  were  with  him  on  Sevier's  arrival. 

Sevier,  with  his  troops  and  a  small  cannon,  demanded  the  uncon- 
ditional surrender  of  Tipton  and  all  in  the  house.  _  Tipton  had  bar- 
ricaded the  house,  and  in  reply  to  the  unceremonious  demand,  sent 
him  word  "to  fire  and  be  d d."  He  then  sent  a  written  sum- 
mons to  surrender ;  this  letter  Tipton  forwarded  forthwith  to  the 
Colonel  of  the  County  for  aid  ;  this  aid,  through  Robert  and  Thomas. 
Love,  was  promptly  afforded.  The  house  was  watched  closely-  A 
man  by  the  name  of  Webb  was  killed,  a  woman  wounded  in  the 
shoulder,  and  a  Mr.  Vann.  While,  from  extreme  cold,  Sevier's 
guards  were  at  the  fire,  a  large  reinforcement  from  Sullivan  County, 
under  Maxwell  and  Pemberton,  passed  the  guard  and  joined  the 
beleaguered  household.  The  moment  the  junction  was  formed,  they 
sallied  out  with  shouts ;  a  tremor  seized  the  troops  of  Sevier,  who 
fled  in  all  directions  at  the  first  fire  of  Tipton.  Pugh,  the  High 
Sheriff  of  Washington,  was  mortally  wounded  and  many  taken 
prisoners.  Sevier  himself  escaped ;  his  two  sons,  James  and  John, 
were  prisoners. 

The  blood  of  Tipton  was  roused  to  such  a  heat  that  he  was  deter- 
mined forthwith  to  hang  these  young  men.  Nothing  but  the 
earnest  supplications  of  his  own  men  prevented  the  execution  of 
this  rash  design.  Had  he  at  this  time  taken  Sevier,  no  power  of 
earth  could  have  saved  him. 

Judge  Spencer,  one  of  the  judges  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina, 
holding  court  at  Jonesborough,  issued  a  bench  warrant  against 
Governor  Sevier  for  high  treason  (1788). 

*  Haywood's  History  of  Tennessee,  177. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  97 

In  October,  Colonels  Tipton,  Love,  and  others  apprehended  Se- 
vier at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Brown,  near  Jonesborough.  Tipton  was 
armed,  and  swore  that  he  would  kill  Sevier ;  and  Sevier  really 
thought  he  would  do  so.  Tipton  was,  however,  with  much  exertion, 
pacified.  Handcufis  were  placed  upon  Giovernor  Sevier,  and  he 
was  carried  to  Jonesborough.  From  thence  he  was  carried,  under 
strong  guard,  to  Morganton,  in  Burke  County,  North  Carolina,  and 
delivered  to  William  Morrison,  the  sherifi"  of  Burke. 

As  he  passed  through  Burke,  Gen.  Charles  McDowell  and  Gen. 
Jos.  McDowell  (the  latter  who  was  with  him  in  the  battle  at  King's 
Mountain,  and  fought  by  his  side)  became  his  securities  for  a  few 
days,  vmtil  he  could  see  some  friends.  He  returned  punctually, 
and  upon  his  own  responsibility  the  sheriif  allowed  him  time  to 
procure  bail.  His  two  sons,  with  friends,  came  to  Morganton  pri- 
vately, and  under  their  escort  he  escaped. 

Thus  the  career  of  the  first  and  last  Governor  of  FranMand  ter- 
minated. But  with  all  his  defects,  John  Sevier  had  many  virtues. 
He  was  fearless  to  a  fault ;  kind  to  his  friends,  and  hospitable  to  all. 
This  gave  him  great  weight  among  the  people,  and  although  in  the 
General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina  (Fayetteville),  in  1788,  gen- 
eral oblivion  and  pardon  were  extended  to  all  concerned  in  the  late 
revolt,  John  Sevier  was  specially  excepted  in  the  act,  and  debarred 
from  all  offices  of  trust,  honor,  or  profit. 

The  next  year  (1789),  so  great  a  favorite  with  the  people  was 
Sevier,  that  he  was  elected  from  Greene,  to  represent  that  county 
in  the  Senate  of  the  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina.  He 
appeared  at  Fayetteville  at  the  time  appointed  for  the  meeting 
of  the  Legislature  (2d  Monday  of  November). 

Such  was  the  sense  of  his  worth,  or  his  contrition  for  the  past, 
that  the  Legislature  passed  early  an  act  repealing  the  section  dis- 
qualifying him  from  any  office ;  and  on  his  taking  the  oath  of  alle- 
giance, he  was  allowed  his  seat.     Thus  were  the  difficulties  settled. 

North  Carolina  had  ever  been  willing  to  allow  her  daughter  to 
set  up  for  herself  when  of  lawful  age  and  under  proper  restrictions. 
Cherishing  this  feeling,  she  was  never  unjust  towards  her  fair  and 
lovely  offspring. 

On  the  25th  of  February,  1790,  as  authorized  by  a  previous  act 
of  the  General  Assembly,  passed  in  the  year  1789,  Samuel  John- 
ston and  Benjamin  Hawkins,  Senators  in  Congress,  executed  a  deed 
to  the  United  States  in  the  words  of  the  cession  act ;  and  on  the 
2d  of  April  of  that  year,  Congress  accepted  the  deed,  and  Ten- 
nessee was  born. 

By  proclamation,  dated  September  1,  1790,  Governor  Martin 
announced  that  the  Secretary  of  State  for  the  United  States,  had 
transmitted  to  him  a  copy  of  the  act  of  Congress,  accepting  the 
cession  of  North  Carolina  for  this  district  of  the  western  territory, 
and  the  inhabitants  of  said  district  "would  take  due  notice  thereof, 
and  govern  themselves  accordingly." 

The  parting  of  the  mother  and  daughter,  like  that  of  all  indulged 
7 


98  HISTOKY  OF  NOKTH  CAROLINA. 

and  unruly  daughters  from  a  venerable  mother,  was  joyful  to  both 
parties.  Both  were  happier  in  the  separation,  and  may  both  be 
equally  prosperous ! 


CHAPTER   lY. 

Governors  of  North  Carolina,  from  Richard  Caswell,  1776, 
to  David  S.  Reid,  185L 

1779.  Abner  Nash,  of  the  County  of  Craven,  succeeded  Rich- 
ard Caswell  as  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  in  December,  1779. 

Under  the  head  of  the  county  of  each,  the  reader  will  find  some 
sketch  of  the  life,  character  and  services  of  each,  as  far  as  the 
author  has  been  enabled  to  procure  information. 

1781.  Thomas  Burke,  of  Orange  County,  was  elected  in  July, 
1781. 

1782.  Alexander  Martin,  of  Guilford  County- 
1784.  Richard  Caswell,  of  Lenoir,  again. 
1787.  Samuel  Johnston,  of  Chowan  County. 
1789.  Alexander  Martin,  of  Guilford,  again. 
1792.  Richard  Dobbs  Spaight,  of  Craven. 
1795.  Samuel  Ashe,  of  New  Hanover. 

1798.  William  R.  Davie,  of  Halifax. 

1799.  Benjamin  Williams,  of  Moore. 
1802.     James  Turner,  of  Warren. 

1805.     Nathaniel  Alexander,  of  Mecklenburg. 

1807.  Benjamin  Williams,  of  Moore,  again. 

1808.  David  Stone,  of  Bertie. 

1810.  Benjamin  Smith,  of  Brunsmck. 

1811.  William  Hawkins,  of  Warren. 
1814.  William  Miller,  of  Warren. 
1817.  John  Branch,  of  Halifax. 

1820.  Jesse  Franklin,  of  Surry. 

1821.  Gabriel  Holmes,  of  Sampson. 
1824.     HuTCHiNGS  G.  Burton,  of  Halifax. 

1827.  James  Iredell,  of  Chowan. 

1828.  John  Owen,  of  Bladen. 
1830.  Montfort  Stokes,  of  Wilkes. 
1832.  David  L.  Swain,  of  Buncombe. 
1835.  Richard  Dobbs  Spaight,  of  Craven. 

These  were  elected  by  the  General  Assembly.  The  convention 
of  1835,  having  amended  the  constitution,  the  election  of  the  Gover- 
nor was  transferred  to  the  people,  and,  in  August,  1836,  the  first 
election  was  held,  and  Edward  B.  Dudley,  of  New  Hanover,  was 
elected.     He  was  inaugurated  on  the  1st  of  January,  1837. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  99 


1841.  John  M.  Morehead,  of  Guilford. 

1845.  Wm.  a.  Graham,  of  Orange. 

1849.  Charles  Manly,  of  Wake. 

1851.  David  S.  Reid,  of  Rockingliam. 


CHAPTER    V. 


Judiciary  of  North  Carolina— Its  history— Lives  and  characters  of  jNIartin 
Howard,  Chief  Justice ;  Maurice  Moore;  and  Richard  Henderson,  Associate 
Judges,  under  the  royal  government — The  Judges  of  North  Carolina,  from 
1776  to  1851— The  Attorney-Generals,  the  Secretaries  of  State,  the  Trea- 
surers of  State,  and  the  Comptrollers,  from  1776  to  1851 — These  statistics 
are  relieved  by  a  specimen  of  legal  vrit  worthy  of  preservation. 

No  less  important  than  military  affairs  is  the  judicial  history  of 
any  country.  Valor  may  vindicate  rights  and  redress  wrongs  ;  but 
unless  these  are  guarded  by  faithful  and  competent  civil  officers, 
the  welfare  of  the  community  suffers. 

A  history  of  the  bench  and  bar  of  North  Carolina,  the  charac- 
ter and  services  of  the  profession,  would  be  most  interesting.  Of 
itself,  it  would  fill  volumes.  No  class  of  our  community,  during 
our  revolutionary  struggles,  entered  into  the  dubious  and  danger- 
ous contest  more  fearlessly  than  did  the  lawyers  of  that  day.  The 
declaration  of  our  independence  was  written  by  a  lawyer  ;  our  ap- 
peals to  the  justice  of  the  English  nation  w^ere  written  by  members 
of  this  profession  ;  a  majority  of  the  first  Congress  were  the  same  ; 
twenty  one  of  the  fifty-six  signers  to  the  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence were  lawyers ;  the  whole  committee  to  Avhom  the  subject  of 
independence  was  referred  were  lawyers,  except  one.  In  our  own 
State,  the  early  and  angry  discussions  between  the  Colonial  Judges 
and  Governor  Tryon,  the  exertions  of  Hooper  and  others  in  coun- 
cil, and  Caswell,  Davie,  and  others,  in  the  field,  prove  the  devo- 
tion, sincerity,  and  patriotism  of  the  profession  of  the  law. 

The  colonial  history  of  the  judiciary  under  the  proprietary  and 
regal  governors  of  North  Carolina  did  not  allow  the  profession  that 
weight  in  the  community  that  its  importance  merited.  With  des- 
potic governors,  and  among  a  vagarious  and  restless  population, 
rules  of  action  declaring  rights  and  prohibiting  wrongs,  were  but 
little  regarded. 

By  the  fundamental  Constitutions  of  Carolina  (1669),  drawn 
«p  by  John  Locke,  it  was  declared  "to  be  a  base  and  vile  thing  to 
plead  for  money  or  reward"  in  any  of  the  courts  of  law. 

One  of  the  complaints  of  the  Assembly  against  Gov.  Dobbs,  in 
1760,  was  that  he  had  "for  the  fee  of  four  pistoles,  granted 
licenses  to  plead  law,  to  ignorant  persons." 

Williamson  informs  us  that  to  1708,  there  had  been  but  two  exe- 


100  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

cutions  for  capital  oifences  in  the  State,  and  not  until  1722  were 
there  any  court-houses  in  North  Carolina. 

Such  was  the  state  of  anarchy  just  before  our  Revolution  (1773), 
that  Mr.  Quincy,  of  Boston,  who  was  traveling  through  the  State, 
says  "  that  there  were  no  courts  in  being.  No  one  can  recover  a 
debt  except  before  a  magistrate."* 

This  was  owing  to  the  conflict  of  opinion  between  Martin  and 
the  Assembly,  as  regards  the  power  of  the  Governor  to  appoint 
judges,  and  the  rights  of  the  people  under  the  attachment  laws. 

Our  previous  pages  have  shown  that  under  the  proprietary  go- 
vernment, in  1716,  the  judicial  power  was  vested  in 
I.  Precinct  Courts; 
II.  General  Courts; 

III.   Courts  of  Chancery. 

The  first  was  held  in  each  precinct  by  four  justices,  appointed 
and  commissioned  by  the  Governor  ;  the  second,  by  the  Chief 
Justice  and  seven  assistants ;  and  the  third,  by  the  Governor  and 
the  deputies  of  the  Lords  Proprietors. 

In  1746,  under  the  royal  government,  the  judiciary  was  remodeled, 
and  "  the  General  Court"  was  held  twice  a  year  by  the  Chief  Jus- 
tice and  three  associates,  at  Newborn. 

The  Chief  Justice  was  appointed  and  commissioned  by  the  Crown, 
and  the  Associate  Judges  by  the  Governor  and  Council. 

In  1767,  the  Province  was  divided. into  six  Judicial  Districts: 
Wilmington,  Newborn,  Edenton,  Halifax,  Hillsboro,  and  Salisbury ; 
Courts  were  held  twice  a  year  in  each  place  by  the  Chief  Justice  and 
two  Associate  Justices. 

County  Courts  were  established  in  each  and  every  county  at  the 
same  time. 

The  first  edition  of  the  laws  was  by  Swann,  published  in  1752, 
called  "yellow  jacket;"  the  second,  by  Davis,  in  1765;  the  third, 
by  same,  in  1773  ;  the  fourth,  by  Judge  Iredell,  in  1790  ;  the  fifth, 
by  Martin,  in  1803 ;  the  sixth,  by  Potter,  Taylor  and  Yancy,  in 
1821 ;  the  seventh,  by  Battle,  Iredell  and  Nash,  in  1836 ;  the  eighth, 
now  being  done  under  care  of  Hon.  R.  M.  Saunders,  Hon.  Asa  Biggs 
and  B.  F.  Moore,  Esq.  (late  Attorney-General  of  the  State),  1851. 

Martin  Howard  was  appointed  by  the  crown  to  succeed  George 
Berry,  whose  melancholy  fate  we  have  recorded  during  the  admin- 
istration of  Governor  Tryon,  as  Chief  Justice,  and  Maurice  Moore 
and  Richard  Henderson,  Associate  Justices,  under  the  act  of  1767; 
these  held  their  offices  until  1773,  when  the  law  expired.  From 
the  altercations  between  the  Governor  and  Assembly,  and  the  troubled 
times  in  political  matters,  the  courts  were  closed. 

"  Inter  arma  leges  silent."t 

The  character  of  ^Tartin  Howard,  as  it  appears  on  the  record, 
is  that  of  a  tyrant.    Forced  by  popular  indignation  to  fly  from  Rhode 

*  Memoirs  of  Josiah  Quincy,  Jr.,  p.  123. 
f  Among  arms,  laws  are  silent. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  101 

Island,  where  he  was  one  of  the  royal  judges,  he  sought  quiet  in  the 
retirement  of  North  Carolina. 

Here  he  was  appointed  one  of  Governor  Try  on' s  counsellors,  and 
on  the  death  of  Judge  Berry,  Chief  Justice  of  the  colony,  hy  the 
recommendation  of  Tryon.  He  was  the  willing  tool  to  "  The  Bloody 
Wolf  of  Carolina."  His  oppressive  conduct  in  the  trial  of  the 
Regulators  at  Hillsboro',  and  ferocious  temper,  associate  him  in 
history  with  Jeffreys,  and  other  judicial  despots. 

From  Sabine's  "American  Loyalists,"*  I  learn  that,  in  1774, 
"  Howard's  judicial  functions  ceased,  in  consequence  of  the  tumults 
of  the  time's.  The  suspension  from  office  of  one  who  was  notoriously 
destitute  of  not  only  the  virtues  of  humanity,  hut  of  all  sympathy 
with  the  community  in  which  he  lived,  was  a  matter  of  much  joy. 
In  1775  he  was  present  in  council,  and  expressed  the  highest  detest- 
ation of  unlawful  meetings,  and  advised  Governor  Martin  to  forbid 
the  assembling  of  the  convention  in  Newborn." 

In  July  1777  he  left  North  Carolina  for  the  north.  He  died 
in  exile  diu-ing  the  Revolution. 

Maurice  Moore's  character  presented  a  favorable  contrast. 
Deeply  imbued  with  the  true  spirit  of  liberty,  although  his  duty 
might  cause  him  to  sit  in  judgment  upon  the  Regulators,  yet 
his  feelings  deeply  sympathized  with  their  oppressed  condition. 
The  following  letter  (extracted  from  Herman  Husband's  book)  will 
show  that  he  was  strongly  suspected  of  countenancing  the  condition 
of  the  Regulators.  Of  one  thing  we  are  assured,  that  the  Judge 
and  the  Governor  entertained  the  most  bitter  animosity  towards 
each  other. 

Springfield,  August  12ih,  1768. 
To  Colonel  Edmund  Fanning : 

Dear  Sir — As  much  as  I  hate  writing,  I  am  determined  to 
scratch  this  side  down  with  a  bad  pen  and  worse  ink,  on  the  subject 
of  the  insurrection  in  your  county,  which  I  am  sorry  to  hear  has 
grown  formidable ;  and  much  more  so,  fthat  it  is  ascribed  to  me  as 
its  author  and  encourager. 

I  have  been  caluminated  before,  but  never  so  capitally  as  in  this 
case. 

I  assure  you  it  gives  me  much  concern,  in  spite  of  the  consola- 
tion which  a  clear  conscience  affords  me.  I  never  knew,  or  even, 
as  I  know  of,  ever  saw  any  man  or  men  engaged  in  this  unlucky 
affair,  except  Hunter  and  Howell,  and  I  made  you  fully  acquainted 
with  the  advice  I  gave  them ;  but  I  shall  say  no  more  on  this  head. 
I  have  blackened  my  page,  and  must  conclude  my  letter  with  assur- 
ino;  you  I  esteem  you,  and  am  your  most  obedient,  &c., 

M.  MOORE. 

Judge  Moore  addressed  to  Governor  Tryon  a  letter  of  great 
length,  signed  Atticus,t  which,  while  it  shows  the  true  character  of 

*  Lorenzo  Sabine's  American  Loyalists,  369.  Boston,  Little  &  Brown,  1847. 
f  See  Jones's  Defence  of  North  Carolina,  p.  57. 


102  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Tryon,  in  its  real  and  odious  colors,  proves  that  he  wielded  the  pen 
of  a  Junius  in  invective  and  severe  sarcasm. 

Judge  Moore  was  a  true  friend  to  his  country.  He  was,  after 
Independence  was  declared,  in  the  General  Assembly,  and  asso- 
ciated on  important  committees.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Pro- 
vincial Congress  which  met  at  Hillsboro',  in  August  1775.  He, 
with  William  Hooper,  Richard  Caswell,  Robert  Howe,  and  Joseph 
Hewes,  were  a  committee  to  address  the  citizens  of  the  British 
empire  on  the  wrongs  of  America  and  the  oppressions  of  England. 

The  importance  of  the  subject,  the  illustrious  names  associated 
with  Judge  Moore,  proves  the  high  appreciation  of  his  talents, 
patriotism,  and  virtues  by  his  associates.  He  was  the  father  of 
the  late  Judge,  Alfred  Moore,  who  was  distinguished  as  a  soldier 
and  a  statesman,  and  for  whose  biography  the  reader  is  referred  to 
Brunswick  County.  He  died  in  1777 ;  at  the  same  time  his  brother, 
Colonel  James  Moore,  died,  on  his  way  to  join  the  army  of  the 
north,  under  General  Washington.  (See  Brunswick  County,  vol.  xi. 
chap,  viii.) 

Richard  Henderson,  the  remaining  Colonial  Judge,  was  the 
son  of  Samuel  Henderson.  He  was  born  in  Hanover  County,  Vir- 
ginia, on  the  20th  of  April,  1735.  His  ancestors  by  his  father's  side 
were  from  Scotland,  and  his  mother's  side  (Williams)  from  Wales. 

His  father  came  to  Granville  County  about  1745 ;  and  subse- 
quently was  appointed  the  sheriff  of  that  county.  The  duties  in 
which  his  son  was  employed  afforded  that  practical  knowledge  of 
men  and  things,  for  which  Judge  Henderson  was  distinguished  in 
after  life.  His  early  education  was  as  good  as  the  state  of  the 
country  afforded. 

He  read  law  with  his  cousin,  the  late  Judge  Williams,  for  twelve 
months.  When  he  applied  for  license  to  the  Chief  Justice  of  the 
colony,  whose  duty  it  was  to  examine  applicants,  and  on  his  cer- 
tificate a  license  to  practice  was  issued  by  the  Governor,  he  was 
asked  how  long  he  had  read,  and  what  books  ?  When  the  limited 
time  was  stated,  and  the  number  of  books  that  he  had  read,  the 
Judge  remarked  that  it  was  useless  to  go  into  any  examination,  as 
no  living  man  could  have  read  and  digested  the  works  he  had 
named,  in  so  short  a  time.  With  great  promptness  and  firmness, 
young  Henderson  replied,  that  it  was  his  privilege  to  apply  for  a 
license,  and  the  Judge's  duty  to  examine  him ;  and,  if  he  was  not 
qualified,  to  reject  him;  if  qualified,  to  grant  the  certificate.  The 
Judge,  struck  with  his  sensible  and  spirited  reply,  proceeded  to  a 
most  scorching  examination.  So  well  did  the  young  man  sustain 
himself,  that  the  certificate  was  granted,  with  encomiums  upon  his 
industry,  acquirements,  and  talents. 

He  soon  rose  to  the  highest  ranks  of  his  profession ;  and  honors 
and  wealth  followed. 

A  vacancy  occurring  on  the  bench,  he  was  appointed  by  the 
Governor  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court.  He  sustained  this  digni- 
fied position  with  fidelity  and  credit,  during  an  excited  and  interest- 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  103 

ing  period.     He  was  forced  on  one  occasion  to  leave  Hillsboro'  by 
the  disturbances  of  the  Regulators.* 

The  troubled  times  shut  up  the  courts  of  justice. 

In  1774  the  Cherokee  Indians  offered  for  sale  their  lands.  He 
formed  a  company  with  John  Williams  and  Leonard  Hendly  Bullock, 
of  Granville ;  William  Johnston,  James  Hogg,  Thomas  Hart,  John 
Lutterell,  Nathaniel  Hart  and  David  Hart,  of  Orange  County,  and 
made  a  treaty  on  the  banks  of  the  Watauga  River.  He  purchased 
from  the  Indians,  for  a  fair  consideration,  all  their  lands  south  of 
the  Kentucky  River,  beginning  at  the  mouth  or  junction  of  said 
river  with  the  Ohio  to  its  source,  thence  south  into  Tennessee,  until 
a  westwardly  line  should  cross  the  Cumberland  Mountain  so  as  to 
strike  the  ridge  which  divides  the  waters  of  the  Tennessee  River  from 
those  of  the  Cumberland,  and  with  that  ridge  to  the  Ohio  River,  and 
with  that  river  to  the  mouth  of  the  Kentucky  River  aforesaid;  in- 
cluding a  large  portion  of  the  States  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky. 

The  company  took  possession  of  the  lands  on  the  20th  of  April, 
1775 ;  the  Indians  appointing  an  agent,  John  Farrar,  to  make  a 
delivery  according  to   law. 

The  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  Martin,  issued  his  proclama- 
tion in  1775  declaring  this  purchase  illegal.  The  State  subse- 
quently granted  200,000  acres  to  the  company  in  lieu  of  this. 

The  State  of  Virginia  declared  the  same,  but  granted  the  com- 
pany a  remuneration  of  two  hundred  thousand  acres,  bounded  by 
the  Ohio  and  Green  Rivers. 

The  State  of  Tennessee  claimed  the  lands,  but  made  a  similar 
grant  to  the  company  in  Powell's  Valley. 

In  1779  Judge  Henderson  was  appointed  a  commissioner  to  extend 
the  line  between  Virginia  and  North  Carolina  into  Powell's  Valley. 
His  associates  on  this  commission,  were  Oroondates  Davis,  John 
Williams  of  Caswell,  James  Kerr,  and  William  Bailey  Smith.  A 
difficulty  arose  as  to  the  true  latitude  of  36°  30",  and  the  commis- 
sion was  closed. 

This  same  year,  Judge  Henderson  opened  a  land  office,  at  the 
French  Lick,  now  Nashville,  Tennessee,  for  the  sale  of  the  com- 
pany's lands. 

In  the  summer  following  he  returned  home,  where  in  the  bosom 
of  his  friends  and  family,  he  enjoyed  the  evening  of  life  in  peace 
and  plenty.  On  the  30th  of  January,  1785,  he  died  at  his  seat  in 
Granville,  loved  and  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him. 

He  left  (by  his  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Keeling,  a  stepdaughter 
of  the  late  Judge  Williams)  six  children,  Fanny,  born  1764,  who 
married  Judge  McCay,  of  Salisbury;  Richard,  born  July  1766; 
Archibald,  born  August  1768 ;  Elizabeth,  who  married  Alexander, 
born  1770;  Leonard,  born  1772;  and  John  Lawson  Henderson, 
born  1778. 

*  See  deposition  of  Ralph  McNair,  and  letter  of  Judge  Henderson,  and  de- 
position of  Waighstill  Avery  (procured  from  State  Paper  Offices  in  London), 
now  for  the  first  time  printed.     (Chap,  on  Alamance,  vol.  ii.  chap,  i.) 


104  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

All  four  sons  studied  the  same  profession  for  which  their  father 
had  been  so  distinguished ;  and  their  reputation  did  not  disgrace 
their  ancestor.  Richard  died  at  the  early  age  of  30,  but  gave  every 
promise  of  distinction,  had  his  life  been  spared;*  Archibald  was  the 
head  of  his  profession,  in  Western  Carolina,  a  distinguished  member 
of  Congress,  and  the  legislature  (see  Rowan  County).f  Leonard 
was  one  of  the  first  lawyers  of  his  day,  and  attained  the  eminence 
of  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  North  Carolina ;  and 
John,  the  youngest  son,  was  blessed  with  a  clear  mind,  and  was 
distinguished  for  his  learning;  but^  from  a  diflBdence  of  manner, 
never  exerted  himself  to  use  those  means  to  attain  the  eminence  of 
his  illustrious  brothers.  He  was  a  member  of  the  legislature  from 
Salisbury,  Comptroller  of  the  State  in  1825,  and  died  at  Raleigh  in 
1843,  while  attending  to  his  duties  as  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

The  Judiciary  early  received  from  the  State  Congress  that  atten- 
tion its  importance  deserved. 

The  first  General  Assembly  that  met  under  the  State  Constitu- 
tion, at  Newbern,  in  April,  1777,  revised  the  whole  statute  law; 
and  superior  courts  were  held  semi-annually  at  Wilmington,  New- 
bern, Edenton,  Halifax,  Hillsboro',  and  Salisbury.  Three  Judges 
were  elected  (John  AVilliams,  of  Granville,  Samuel  Ashe,  of  New 
Hanover,  and, Samuel  Spencer,  of  Anson). 

INIorganton  was  established  as  a  Judicial  District,  in  1782 ;  and 
Fayetteville,  in  1787. 

Equity  jui'isdiction  was  given  by  act  of  1782. 

In  1790  a  fourth  Judge  was  added ;  the  State  divided  into  two 
ridings,  and  a  Solicitor-General  was  appointed. 

In  1806,  Superior  Courts  were  established  in  each  county,  and 
two  additional  Judges  and  four  Solicitors  were  appointed ;  another 
Judgo  has  been  added  since,  and  this  system  continues  to  this 
day.  One  of  the  Judges  of  the  Superior  Court  semi-annually 
holds  a  court  in  each  county  in  the  State,  and  a  Solicitor  to  prose- 
cute in  behalf  of  the  State.  The  Judges  cannot  twice  ride  the 
same  circuit  in  succession.  They  are .  elected  by  the  legislature 
during  good  behavior ;  and  each  receives  a  salary  of  one  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  a  year,  which  cannot  be  diminished 
during  their  continuance«n  office. 

When  the  business  demands,  the  Judge  may  appoint  a  special 
term  to  hear  and  end  the  suits  in  any  county.  The  Governor  spe- 
cially appoints  some  Judge  for  this  purpose,  for  which  he  receives 
ninety  dollars.     The  appeal  lies  from  these  decisions  to  the 

SUPREME  court. 

This  tribunal  was  created  in  1818,  as  it  exists  at  present.  Pre- 
vious to  this,  the  Judges  of  the  Superior  Courts  were  directed  (act  of 
1799)  to  meet  to  settle  questions  of  law  and  equity  at  Raleigh  twice 

*  The  father  of  Archibald  Henderson,  of  Salisbury,  and  Mrs,  N.  Boyden. 
t  See  Sketch  of  his  Life.     (Chapter,  Granville.) 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  105 

a  year,  and  was  called  the  Court  of  Conference.  By  act  of  1805, 
it  was  styled  the  Supreme  Court.  By  the  act  of  1818,  the  Judges 
of  the  Superior  Courts  were  excused  from  this  duty  and  confined  to 
circuits,  and  three  Judges  were  elected  by  the  Legislature,  who  hold 
their  offices  during  good  behavior,  who  meet  twice  a  year  in  the  city 
of  Raleigh,  and  once  a  year  at  Morganton,  to  determine  questions 
of  law  and  equity. 

JUDGES  OF  THE  SUPREME  COURT. 

John  Louis  Taylor^  of  Cumberland,  elected  1818,  died  Jan.  1829. 

Leonard  Henderson,  of  Granville  county,  elected  1818,  died  Aug. 
1833. 

John  Hall,  of  Warren,  elected  1818,  resigned  Dec.  1832. 

John  D.  Toomer,  Cumberland  county,  appointed  June,  1829,  re- 
signed 1829. 

Thomas  Ruffin,  of  Orange  county,  elected  1829. 

Joseph  J.  Darnel,  of  Halifax  county,  elected  1832,  died  Feb. 
1848. 

William  G-aston,  of  Craven  county,  elected  1833,  died  1844. 

Frcderiek  Nash,  of  Orange  county,  appointed  1844. 

William  II.  Battle,  of  Orange  county,  elected  1848,  resigned 
Dec.  1848. 

liichmond  31.  Pearson,  of  Davie  county,  elected  1848. 

At  present  Thomas  Ruffin,  Frederick  Nash  and  Richmond  Pear- 
son, are  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  North  Carolina. 

For  sketches  of  the  lives  and  characters  of  the  judges,  the  reader 
is  referred  to  the  respective  counties  from  which  they  are  appointed. 

JUDGES  OF  THE  SUPERIOR  COURTS  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA,  FROM  1777 

TO  1851. 

1777  to  1790.  John  Williams,  of  Grranville  County,  died  Octo- 
ber, 1799.  Samuel  Ashe,  of  New  Hanover,  elected  Governor 
in  1795.     Samuel  Spencer,  of  Anson,  died  1794. 

1790.     Spruce  McCay,  of  Rowan,  died  1808. 

John  Haywood,  of  Halifax,  elected  1794  ;  resigned  in  1800. 

Alfred  Moore,  of  Brunswick,  elected  in  1798 ;  appointed  Asso- 
ciate Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  December 
10th,  1799. 

John  Louis  Taylor,  of  Cumberland,  elected  in  1798  ;  appointed 
Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  North  Carolina  in  1818;  died 
February,  1829. 

Samuel  Johnston,  of  Chowan,  appointed  February  10th,  1800 ; 
resigned  November  18th,  1803. 

John  Hall,  of  Warren,  elected  in  1800 ;  appointed  Judge  of 
Supreme  Court  in  1818;  resigned  December,  1832 ;  died  1833. 

Francis  Locke,  of  Rowan,  elected  in  1803 ;  resigned  February 
7th,  1814. 

David  Stone,  of  Bertie,  elected  in  1795,  resigned  in  1798, 
and  elected  in  1806 ;  elected  Governor  in  1808. 


106  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Samuel  Lowrie,  of  Mecklenburg,  elected  in  1806  ;  died  Decem- 
ber, 1818. 

Blake  Baker,  of  Warren,  appointed  in  1808  ;  commission  expired 
December,  1808  ;  appointed  August  11,  1818  ;  died  in  1818. 

Leonard  Henderson,  of  Granville,  elected  in  1808  ;  resigned  in 
1816  ;  elected  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  1818  ;  died  August, 
1833. 

Joshua  Granger  Wright,  of  New  Hanover,  elected  in  1808  ;  died 
in  1811. 

Senry  Seaivell,  of  Wake,  appointed  July  5th,  1811 ;  commission 
expired  in  1811 ;  appointed  in  1818 ;  resigned  in  1819  ;  elected  in 
1832  ;  died  in  1835. 

Edward  Harris,  of  Craven,  elected  in  1811 ;  died  1813. 

Duncan  Cameron,  of  Orange,  appointed  February,  1814 ;  re- 
signed November,  1816. 

Thomas  Ruffin,  of  Orange,  elected  1816 ;  resigned  December, 

1818  ;  appointed  July  15,  1825;  resigned  in  1828;  elected  Judge 
of  the  Supreme  Court  in  1829. 

Joseph  J.  Baniel,  of  Halifax,  appointed  March,  1816 ;  elected 
Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  1832 ;  died  February,  1848. 

Robert  H.  Burton,  of  Lincoln,  appointed  March,  1818 ;  resigned 
in  1818.     ^  •-;•    ■.• 

John  Paxton,  of  Rutherford,  elected  in  1818 ;  died  in  1826. 

John  D.  Toomer,  of  Cumberland,  elected  in  1818 ;  resigned  in 

1819  ;  appointed  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  1829  ;  commission 
expired  December,  1829  ;  elected  in  1836 ;  resigned  in  1840. 

Frederick  Nash,  of  Orange,  elected  in  1818  ;  resigned  in  July, 
1826 ;  elected  in  1836 ;  transferred  to  the  Supreme  Court  in  1844. 

Archibald  B.  Murphy,  of  Orange,  elected  in  1818  ;  resigned  in 
1820. 

James  Iredell,  of  Chowan,  appointed  March,  1819 ;  resigned 
May,  1819. 

John  R.  Bonnel,  of  Craven,  appointed  in  1819  ;  resigned  in 
1836. 

Willie  P.  Mangum,  of  Orange,  elected  in  1819,  resigned  in  1823 ; 
appointed  May  18,  1826  ;  commission  expired  in  1826  ;  elected  in 
1828 ;  elected  Senator  to  Congress  in  1830. 

William  Norwood,  of  Orange,  appointed  Aug.  17,  1820;  re- 
signed in  1836. 

G-eorge  E.  Badger,  of  Wake,  elected  in  1820  ;  resigned  in  1825. 

Robert  Strange,  of  Cumberland,  elected  in  1826  ;  elected  Senator 
to  Congress  in  1836. 

James  Martin,  of  Rowan,  elected  in  1826 ;  resigned  in  1835. 

David  L.  Swain,  of  Buncombe,  elected  in  1830 ;  elected  Go- 
vernor in  1832. 

^Thomas  Settle,  of  Rockingham,  elected  in  1832. 

*  Those  marked  *,  constitute  the  present  Judges  of  the  Superior  Courts  of 
Law  and  Equity  for  North  Carolina. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  107 

Romulus  M.  Saunders,  elected  in  1835 ;  resigned  in  1840. 

Edward  Hall,  of  Warren,  appointed  February,  1810  ;  conimis- 
sion  expired  January,  1841. 

*Joh}i  31.  Dick,  of  Guilford,  elected  in  1835. 

*JoJiH  L.  Baily,  of  ^Pasquotank,  elected  in  1836. 

Richmond  M.  Pearson,  of  Davie,  elected  in  1836 ;  transferred  to 
the  Supreme  Court  in  1848. 

*David  F.  CaldioeUj  of  Rowan,  appointed  in  1844. 

*Matt1iias  E.  Manly,  of  Craven,  elected  December,  1840. 

Augustus  Moore,  of  Chowan,  appointed  in  1848 ;  resigned  the 
same  year. 

*  Wm.  H.  Battle,  of  Edgecombe,  appointed  in  1840  ;  appointed  to 
the  Supreme  Court  in  1848  ;  resigned  in  December,  1848  ;  elected 
to  the  Superior  Court  in  January,  1849. 

"^Jolm  W.  Ellis,  of  Rowan,  elected  in  1848, 

ATTORNEY-GENERALS  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Waiglitstill  Avery,  of  Burke  County,  elected  in  1777  ;  resigned 
in  1779. 

Blake  Baker,  of  Edgecombe,  elected  in  1794  ;  resigned  in  1803. 

Rutchins  Cf.  Burton,  of  Halifax,  elected  in  1810  ;  resigned  in 
November,  1816. 

William  Drew,  of  Halifax,  elected  in  1816  ;  resigned  in  Novem- 
ber, 1825. 

John  R.  J.  Daniel,  of  Halifax,  elected  in  1834. 

*  William  Eaton,  Jr.,  of  Warren,  in  1851. 
Oliver  Fitts,  of  Warren,  in  1808. 

John  Haywood,  of  Halifax,  in  1791. 
James  Iredell,  of  Chowan,  in  1779. 
Robert  R.  Jones,  of  Warren,  in  1828. 
Alfred  Moore,  of  Brunswick,  in  1790. 
William  3Iiller,  of  Warren,  in  1810. 
Rugh  3Ic Queen,  of  Chatham,  in  1840. 
Bartholomeio  F.  3Ioore,  of  Halifax,  in  1848. 
Romulus  31.  Saunders,  of  Caswell,  in  1828. 
Edivard  Stanly,  of  Beaufort,  in  1847. 
Renry  Seawell,  of  Wake,  in  1803. 
John  L.  Taylor,  of  Cumberland,  in  1808. 
James  F.  Taylor,  of  Wake,  in  1825  ;  died  in  June,  1828. 
Spier  Wliitaker,  of  Halifax,  elected  in  December,  1842. 

SECRETARIES  OF  STATE. 

James  Gflasgow,  of  Dobbs  County,  in  1777. 
William  White,  of  Lenoir,  in  1778  to  1810. 

*  William  Rill,  of  Rockingham,  from  1811  to  present  date. 

TREASURERS   OF  THE  STATE. 

Richard  Caswell,  for  the  northern  part ;  Samuel  Johnson  for  the 
southern  part,  1776. 

*  At  present  in  commission.  v 


108  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Memucan  Hunt,  of  Granville,  1777. 
John  Haywood,  of  Edgecombe,  1787. 
John  S.  Haywood,  of  Wake,  1827. 
William  S.  Rohards,  of  Granville,  1827. 
Hohert  H.  Burton,  of  Lincoln,  1830. 
William  S.  Mhoon,  of  Bertie,  December,  1830. 
Samuel  F.  Patterson,  of  Wilkes,  1835. 
jDaniel  W.  Courts,  of  Surry,  Jan.  1837. 
Charles  L.  Hinton,  of  Wake,  April,  1839. 
John  H  Wheeler,  of  Lincoln,  1843. 
Charles  L.  Hinton,  1845. 
^Daniel  W.  Courts,  1851. 

COMPTROLLERS. 

Comptroller's  department  established  in  1782. 
John  Craven,  of  Halifax,  1783. 
Samuel  G-oodtvin,  of  Cumberland,  December,  1808. 
Joseph  Hawkins,  of  Warren,  December,  1825. 
John  L.  Henderson,  of  Rowan,  1827. 
James  Cirant,  of  Halifax,  November,  1827. 
Nathan  Stedman,  of  Chatham,  November,  1834. 
William  F.  Collins,  of  Nash,  December,  1836. 
*  William  J.  Clarke,  of  Wake,  1851. 

A  History  of  the  Bench  and  Bar  of  North  Carolina  will,  we 
trust,  at  some  period  be  published.  Its  members  have  been,  at  all 
periods,  the  firm  friends  of  popular  rights,  and  ready  defenders  of 
the  privileges  of  the  many  against  the  encroachments  of  the  few. 
They,  as  a  body,  are  remarkable  for  their  assiduity,  fidelity,  and 
poverty.  The  following  is  preserved  as  a  specimen  of  "  the  genuine 
Attic,"  copied  from  the  Greensboro'  Patriot  many  years  since.  The 
names  are  familiar  to  western  North  Carolina. 

In  one  of  our  western  courts,  while  Mr.  James  R.  Dodge  (now 
Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court),  a  relative  of  the  Hon.  Washington 
Irving,  was  making  a  speech,  a  triumvirate  (Messrs.  Swain,  Hill- 
man,  and  Dews)  perpetrated,  "with  malice  aforethought,"  this  jeu 
d'esprit,  which  Mr.  Dodge  found  lying  on  his  table  before  him 
when  he  had  finished  his  speech. 

EPITAPH  ON  JAMES  R.  DODGE,  ESQ.,  ATTORNEY  AT  LAW. 

"  Here  lies  a  Dodge,  who  dodged  all  good, 
And  dodged  a  deal  of  evil, 
Who,  after  dodging  all  he  could, 
lie  could  not  dodge  the  Devil." 

He  read  the  paper,  and  impromptu  replied — 

ANOTHER  EPITAPH  ON  THREE  ATTORNEYS. 

"  Here  lies  a  Hillman  and  a  Swain, 
Whose  lot  let  no  man  choose  ; 
They  liv'd  in  sin,  and  died  in  pain, 
And  the  Devil  got  his  Dews"  (dues). 

*  At  present  in  commission. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


109 


CHAPTER    VI. 

A  list  of  the  members  of  the  Continental  Congress  •  from  North  Carolina, 
before  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  (formed  at  Philadelphia,  in  May 

.  1787) ;  and  a  list  of  the  Senators  and  Representatives  in  Congress,  from 
this  State,  from  1789  to  1851  ;  with  the  ratio  of  representation  for  each 
decade,  and  the  number  of  members  in  the  House — Present  Congressional 
districts  by  act  of  1846,  and  the  members  of  each. 

The  Continental  Congress  first  met  at  Philadelphia,  Septem- 
ber 5th,  1774.  In  January,  1785,  it  met  at  New  York,  which  con- 
tinued to  be  the  place  of  meeting  until  the  adoption  of  the  con- 
stitution. General  Washington  was  inaugurated  President  at  this 
place,  on  30th  April,  1789. 

MEMBERS  FROM  NORTH  CAROLINA  TO  THE  CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS 
BEFORE  THE  ADOPTION  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION. 


Ashe,  John  B. 
Bloodworth,  Timothy 

Blount,  William 

Burke,  Thomas 
Burton,  Robert 
Caswell,  Richard 
Curaming,  William 
Harnett,  Cornelius 

Hawkins,  Benjamin 

Hews,  Joseph 

Hill,  Whitmill 
Hooper,  William 


From  To 

1787  1788 

1786  1787 

1782  1783 

1786  1787 
1777  1781 

1787  1788 
1774  1776 
1784  1784 

1777  1780 
1781  1784 
1786  1787 
1774  1777 
1779  1780 

1778  1781 
1774  1777 


Johnston,  Samuel 
Jones,  Allen 
Jones,  Willie 

Nash,  Abner 

Penn,  John 

Sitgreaves,  John 
Sharpe,  William 
Spaight,  Richard  D. 
Swan,  John 
Williams,  John 

Williamson,  Hugh 

White,  Alexander 


From  To 

1780  1782 

1779  1780 

1780  1781 

1782  1784 

1785  1786 
1775  1776 

1777  1780 
1784  1785 
1779  1782 

1783  1785 
1787  1788 

1778  1779 
1782  1785 
1787  1788 

1786  1788 


*Badger,  George  E. 
Bloodsworth,  Timothy 
Branch,  John 
Brown,  Bedford 

Franklin,  Jesse 

Graham,  William  A. 
Hawkins,  Benjamin 
Haywood,  William  H. 
Iredell,  James 
Johnston,  Samuel 


SENATE. 

Those  marked  *  are  at  present  in  Congress,  1851. 
In.       Out.  I 

1855  I  Locke,  Francis 
1801    Macon,  Nathaniel 
1829 


1846 
1795 
1823 
1829 
(1799 
11807 
1841 
1789 
1843 
1828 
1789 


*Mangum,  W.  P. 


1841 

1805 

1813    Martin,  Alexander 

1843  i  Stokes,  Montfort 

Stone,  David 


1846 
1831 
1793 


Strange,  Robert 
Turner,  James 


In. 


Out. 


1814 

1815 

1815 

1828 

1831 

1837 

1841 

1847 

1848 

1853 

1793 

1799 

1816 

1823 

1801 

1807 

1813 

1814 

1837 

1841 

1805 

1816 

110 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


HOUSE  OF  REPRESEXTATIVES. 


Alexander,  Evan 
Alexander,  Nathaniel 
Alston,  Willis 

Alston,  Willis,  Jr., 

Arrington,  A.  H. 
Ashe,  John  B. 
*Ashe,  William  S. 
Biggs,  Asa 
Barringer,  Daniel  L. 
Barringer,  Daniel  M. 
Bethune,  Laughlin 

Blackledge,  William  S. 

Bloodworth,  Timothy 

Blount,  Thomas 

Branch,  John 
Bryan,  Nathan 
Bryan,  John  H. 
Bryan,  Joseph  H. 
Burgess,  Dempsy 
Burton,  Hutchins  G. 
Bynum,  Jesse  A. 
Boyden,  Nathaniel 
Caldwell,  Green  W. 
■^Cald-well,  Joseph  P. 
Carson,  Samuel  P. 
Clark,  James  W. 
Clark,  Henry  S. 
Cocaran,  James 
Cor.ner,  H.  W. 
Crudup,  Josiah 

Culpepper,  John 


*Clingman,  Thomas  L. 

*Daniel,  J.  R.  J. 
Davidson,  William 
Davrson,  William  G. 
Dobbin,  James  C. 

Deberry,  Edmund 

*Dockery,  Alfred 

Dickens,  Samuel 
Donnell,  R.  S. 
Dixon,  Joseph 
Dudly,  Edward  B. 
Edwards,  Weldon  X. 

Fisher,  Charles 

Forney,  Daniel  M. 


In. 

1805 

1803 

1799 

(1803 

\  1825 

1841 

1790 

1849 

1845 

1826 

1843 

1831 

(1803 

-^1811 

( 1821 

1790 

(1793 

\  1805 

[l811 

1831 

1795 

1825 

1815 

1795 

1819 

1833 

1847 

1841 

1849 

1825 

1815 

1845 

1809 

1821 

1821 

ri807 

J  1813 

1  1819 

I  1823 

j  1843 

1  1847 

1841 

1818 

1793 

1845 

(1829 

\  1833 

(1849 

(1845 

1  1851 

1816 

1847 

1799 

1829 

1810 

(1819 

1 1839 

1815 


Out. 

1809 

1805 

1803 

1815 

1831 

1845 

1793 

1853 

1847 

1835 

1849 

1833 

1809 

1813 

1823 

1791 

1799 

1809 

1812 

1833 

1798 

1829 

1819 

1798 

1824 

1841 

1849 

1843 

1851 

1833 

1817 

1847 

1813 

1841 

1823 

1809 

1817 

1821 

1825 

1845 

1853 

1853 

1821 

1795 

1847 

1831 

1845 

1851 

1847 

1853 

1817 

1849 

1801 

1831 

1827 

1821 

1841 

1818 


Forney,  Peter 
Franklin,  Jesse 
Franklin,  Meshack 
Gaston,  William 
Gatlin,  Alfred  M. 

Gillespie,  James 

Graham,  James 

Grove,  William  B. 

Hall,  Thomas  H. 

Hawkins,  M.  T. 
Henderson,  Archibald 
Hill,  John 
Hill,  William  H. 
Hines,  Richard 

Holland,  James 

Holmes,  Gabriel 

Hooks,  Charles 

Johnson,  Charles 
Kenan,  Thomas 

Kennedy,  William 

King,  William  R, 

Lock,  Matthew 
Long,  John 
Love,  William  C. 
Macon,  Nathaniel 
Mangum,  W.  P. 
McBride,  Archibald 

McDowel,  James 

McFarland,  Duncan 
McKay,  James  J. 

McNeil,  Archibald 

Mebane,  Alexander 
Mitchell,  Anderson 
Montgomery,  William 
Montford,  George 
*Morehead,  James  T. 
Murfree,  William  H. 
Outlaw,  George 
*Outlaw,  David 
Owen,  Jas. 
Pettigrew,  E. 
Pearson,  Joseph 
Pickens,  Israel 
Potter,  Robert 
Purviance,  Samuel  D. 
Rayner,  Kenneth 

Rencher,  Abraham 

Reid,  David  S. 


1799 
1825 
( 1795 
[1801 
1825 
(1816 
1 1819 
1801 
1805 
(1803 
^1809 
[1812 
1811 
1793 
1821 
1815 
1791 
1823 
1809 
1793 
1797 
1805 
1831 
1821 
1825 
1793 
1842 
1835 
1817 
1851 
1813 
1824 
1847 
1817 
1835 
1809 
1811 
1829 
1803 
1839 
1829 
1841 
1843 


Out. 
1815 
1797 
1815 
1817 
1825 
1799 
1805 
1843 
1847 
J803 
1825 
1835 
1841 
1803 
1841 
1803 
1827 
1797 
1811 
1829 
1817 
1825 
1802 
1811 
1805 
1811 
1815 
1816 
1799 
1829 
1817 
1805 
1826 
1813 
1795 
1799 
1807 
1849 
1823 
1827 
1794 
1843 
1841 
1819 
1853 
1817 
1828 
1853 
1819 
1837 
1815 
1817 
1831 
1805 
1845 
1839 
1843 
1847 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Ill 


HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES — Continued. 
In.        Out. 


Saunders,  R.  M. 


Sawyer,  Lemuel 

Sawyer,  S.  T. 
Settle,  Thomas 
Sevier,  John 
Shadwick,  William 
Sheppard,  Charles  B. 
Sheppard,  William  B. 

Shepperd,  A.  H. 

Smith,  James  S. 
Slocumb,  Jesse 
Speight,  Jesse 
Spaight,  R.  D. 
Spaight,  R.  D.  Jr., 
Stanford,  Richard 

Stanly,  John 


fl821 

1 1841 

f  1807 

^1817 

[1825 

1837 

1817 

1790 

1796 

1837 

1827 

f  1829 

\  1841 

(1847 

1817 

-  1817 

1827 

1798 

1823 

1797 

(1801 

[1809 


1827 
1845 
1813 
1823 
1829 
1839 
1821 
1791 
1797 
1841 
1837 
1839 
1843 
1851 
1821 
1821 
1837 
1801 
1825 
1816 
1803 
1811 


In. 


Out. 


*Stanly,  Edward 

Steele,  John 
Stuart,  James 
Stone,  David 
Tatum,  Abs. 
Turner,  Daniel 
Vance,  Robert  B. 
*Venable,  Abraham  W. 
Walker,  Felix 
Washington,  Wm.  II. 
Williams,  Benjamin 
Williams,  Lewis 
Williams,  Marmaduke 
Williams,  Robert 
Williamson,  Hugh 

Winston,  Joseph 

Wynns,  Thomas 
Yancy,  Bartlett 


f  1837 
■  1849 

1843 

1853 

1790 

1793 

1818 

1819 

1799 

1801 

1795 

1796 

1827 

1829 

1823 

1825 

1847 

1853 

1817 

1823 

1841 

1843 

1793 

1795 

1815 

1842 

1803 

1809 

1797 

1803 

1790 

1793 

f  1793 
■  1803 

1795 

1807 

1802 

1807 

1813 

181T 

RATIO  or  REPRESENTATION  FROM  1789  TO  1853. 


1789 
1,-93 
1803 
1813 
1823 
1833 
1843 
1853 


33,000 
33,000 
35,000 
40,000 
47,700 
70,680 
93,702 


House  of  Representatives  composed  of    65  members. 
"  "  "  105 

<(  <<  <<  241 

"  "  "  181 

212 
243 
223 
233 


It 

(t 


PRESENT  CONGRESSIONAL  DISTRICTS,  BT  ACT  OF  1846,  AND  MEMBERS 

TO  4th  march,  1853. 

District.  Counties. 

1,  Cherokee;  2,  Macon;  3,  Haywood;  4,  Buncombe;") 

5,  Henderson  ;  6,  Rutherford ;  7,  Burke ;  8,  Mc'Dowell;  V 
9,  Yancy;  10,  Cleaveland;  11,  Caldwell.  ) 

1,  Ashe:  2,  Wilkes;  3,  Surry;   4,  Davie;  5,  Rowan;  I 

6,  Iredell ;  7,  Catawba.  ] 
1,  Lincoln;  2,  Gaston;  3,  Mecklenburg;  4,  Union;  5,  | 

Anson  ;  6,  Stanly  ;  7,  Cabarrus  ;  8,  Montgomery  ;  9,  V 

Richmond  ;  10,  Moore.  ] 

1,  Stokes;  2,  Rockingham;  3,  Guilford;  4,  Randolph;  I 

I      5,  Davidson.  j 

(  1,  Granville  ;  2,  Caswell ;    3,  Person  :    4,  Orange :   5,  ] 

i      Chatham.  J 

1,  Wake;    2,  Franklin;    3,  Warren;    4,   Halifax;    5,1 
Edgecombe;  6,  Nash  :  7,  Johnston.  j 

1,  Cumberland  ;  2,  Robeson  ;  3,  Columbus  ;  4,  Bladen  ;  | 

5,  Brunswick;   0,  New  Hanover;   7,  Sampson;    8,  VWm. S.Ashe 
Duplin;  9,  Onslow.  ] 

1,  Wayne  ;  2,  Greene ;  3,  Lenoir ;  4,  Jones  ;  5,  Craven  ; 

6,  Carteret;  7,  Beaufort;    8,  Pitt;  9,  Washington  ; 
10,  Tyrrell;  11,  Hyde. 

1,  Martin;  2,  Bertie;  3,  Hertford;  4,  Northampton; 
5,  Gates;  6,  Chowan;  7,  Perquimans;  8,  Pasquo- 
tank; 9,  Currituck;  10,  Camden. 


1st. 

2d. 

3d. 

4th. 
5th. 
6th. 

7th. 
8th. 
9th. 


Members. 

Thomas  L, 
Clingman. 

Joseph  P. 
Caldwell. 

Alfred 
Dockery. 

James  T. 

Morehead. 

Abraham  W. 

Venable. 

J.  R.  J. 

Daniel. 


Edward 
Stanley. 

David 
Outlaw. 


112  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

Press  op  North  Carolixa,  from  1749  to  1851 — Account  of  some  of  the  editors, 
and  list  of  the  papers  now  published  in  North  Carolina  (1851). 

" Beneath  the  rule  of  men 


Entirely  great,  the  pen  is  greater  than  the  sword. 

Behold  the  arch  enchanter's  wand  !     Itself  is  nothing ! 

But  catching  sorcery  from  a  master  hand, 

And  aided  by  the  gigantic  power  of  the  press, 

It  paralyzes  the  thrones  of  monarchs, 

Gives  liberty  and  life  to  oppressed  millions, 

And  strikes  the  broad  earth  breathless. 

Take  away  the  sword  ! 

States  can  be  saved  without  it" — Bulwer. 

The  colonial  history  of  our  State  did  not  present  a  favorable 
field  for  the  press. 

The  Proprietary  rulers  first,  and  Royal  Governors  afterwards,, 
regarded  the  press  as  dangerous  to  their  powers  and  prerogatives. 
The  instructions  of  Lord  Eflfingham,  as  Governor  of  Virginia,  were 
"  not  to  suflFer  in  the  colony,  under  any  pretence  whatever,  the  use 
of  a  printing  press."*  And  Sir  William  Berkley,  one  of  the  pro- 
prietors of  North  Carolina,  returned  thanks  to  Heaven  "  that  there 
was  not  a  printing  office  in  any  of  the  southern  provinces." 

Under  different  auspices  and  a  more  progressive  age,  how  diifer- 
ent  do  the  descendants  of  this  very  people  conduct  the  early  settle- 
ments of  a  country.  Scarcely  does  the  American  set  his  foot  down 
on  any  soil,  when  a  press  is  set  up,  and  a  newspaper  is  established, 
informing  every  portion  of  the  nation  of  the  character,  condition, 
and  prospects  of  the  country.  "  The  United  States  in  1834," 
says  Tymperly,  "with  a  population  of  (then)  13,000,000,  had 
more  newspapers  than  all  Europe  together,  with  a  population  of 

100,000,000."t 

Printing^  was  introduced  into  North  Carolina  in  1749,  by  James 
Davis,  who  set  up  a  press  at  Newborn.  His  first  paper  was  called 
The  North  Carolina  Gazette,  "with  freshest  advices  foreign  and 
domestic."     It  was  weekly,  on  a  sheet  of  post  sized  folio. 

The  first  book  ever  printed  in  North  Carolina  was  by  him,  in 
1752,  a  revisal  of  the  acts  of  the  General  Assembly,  a  small  folio. 
From  the  hue  of  the  leather  in  which  it  was  bound,  it  received  the 
name  of  "  Yellow  Jacket." 

*  Williamson,  vol.  i.  165, 

t  Tyniporly's  Encyclopcedia  of  Literary  and  Typographical  Anecdote. 

%  Martin,  ii.  p.  54. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  113 

The  G-azette  continued  about  six  years.     On  the  27th  of  May, 
1768,  it  again  appeared,  and  continued  until  the  Revolution. ' 

Davis  was  a  Virginian  by  birth ;  and  postmaster  at  Newbern.  He 
held  a  commission  as  a  magistrate  under  Governor  Tryon. 

The  second  press  set  up  in  North  Carolina  was  at  Wilmington, 
in  1763,  by  Andrew  Stewart,  called  the  CajM  Fear  G-azette  and 
Wilmington  Advertiser.     The  paper  was  discontinued  in  1767. 

Stewart  was  an  Irishman  by  birth,  lived  several  years  in  Philadelphia, 
and  was  accidentally  drowned  in  1769,  while  bathing  in  the  Cape 
Fear  River. 

This  paper  was  succeeded  by  the  Cape  Fear  Blercury,  published 

October  1767,  by  Adam  Boyd,  and  continued  to  the  Revolution. 

Boyd  was  an  Englishman,  and  a  true  friend  to  liberty.     lie  was  much 

respected,  and  one  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  in  "Wilmington,  1775. 

.    •         His  name  appears  in  their  proceedings  as  a  leading  member  of  the. 

committee  of  correspondence.    In  1776  he  exchanged  the  press  for 

the  pulpit. 

In  1776  newspapers  were  printed  at  Newbern,  Wilmington, 
Halifax,  Edenton,  and  Hillsboro'.  Had  copies  of  these  papers 
been  preserved,  as  is  the  case  now  in  some  States,  in  the  archives 
of  the  State  Library,  the  history  of  that  period  would  have  been 
better  known. 

In  1812  newspapers  were  printed  at  Raleigh,  Newbern,  Wil- 
mington, Edenton,  Tarboro',  Murfreesboro',  Fayetteville,  and  War- 
renton.     Not  a  single  paper  west  of  Raleigh. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  newspapers  printed  in  North  Caro- 
lina at  this  date,  January  1st,  1851 : — 

1.  Albemarle  Sentinel,  Edenton,  edited  by 

Thomas  C.  Manning. 
Born  in  Edenton,  aged  25,  by  profession  a  lawyer ;  Whig  in  politics. 

2.  AsHViLLE  Messenger,  Ashville,  J.  M.  Edney. 

Born  in  Henderson  County,  aged  36,  by  profession  music  teacher, 
house  and  sign  painter,  auctioneer,  to  the  ancient  town  of  Ash- 
ville ;  Whig  in  politics, 

3.  Ashville  News,  Ashville,  T.  AY.  Atkin. 

Native  of  Tennessee,  aged  29,  practical  printer. 

4.  Carolina  Watchman,  Salisbury, 

J.  J.  Bruner  and  S.  W.  James. 

J.  J.  Bruner,  native  of  Rowan,  born  in  1817,  printer  by  profession. 
Samuel  W.  James,  born  in  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  in  1819,  and  a 
printer  by  profession.    Whigs. 

6.  Carolina  Republican,  Lincolnton,  J.  M.  Newsom. 

Native  of  Maryland,  44  years  old,  teacher  by  profession;  Democrat. 

6.  Christian  Sun,  Pittsboro',  ( )  Committee. 

7.  Charlotte  Journal,  Charlotte,  T.  J.  Holton. 

Native  of  Richmond,  Ya.,  47  years  of  age,  a  printer  by  profession ; 
AVhig  in  politics. 

8 


114  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

8.  Communicator,  Fayetteville,  William  Potter, 

Mr.  Potter  is  a  native  of  Raleigh,  aged  43  ;  profession,  preacher  and 
printer.     Temperance  paper. 

9,  Deaf  Mute,  Raleigh,  TV.  D.  Cooke, 

10.  Fayetteville  Observer,  E.  J.  Hale  and  Son. 

Mr.  Hale  is  a  native  of  Randolph  County,  born  in  1802,  printer  by 
profession  ;  Whig  in  politics. 

11.  GoLDSBORo'  Patriot,  "W.  Robinson. 

Mr.  Robinson  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  aged  36  years,  by  profession  a 
teacher. 

12.  GoLDSBORo'  Telegraph,  W.  F.  S.  Alston. 

Wesley  Fletcher  Skidmore  Alston  is  a  native  of  Wake,  born  in  1822, 
by  profession  a  planter. 

13.  Granville  Whig,  Oxford,  George  Wortham. 

14.  Greensboro'  Patriot,  Swaim  and  Sherwood. 

Lyndon  Swaim,  38  years  old,  farmer  by  profession  until  21,  when 

he  went  to  profession  of  printer. 
Michael  S.  Sherwood  is  about  32  years  old,  printer  by  profession ; 

Whigs  in  politics. 

15.  Halifax  Republican,  C.  N.  Webb. 

Mr.  Webb,  born  in  Brunswick  County,  Va.,  aged  38  years,  practical 
printer. 

16.  Hillsboro'  Recorder,  D.  Heartt. 

Mr.  Heartt  is  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  November  1783,  printer 
by  profession  ;  commenced  the  Recorder  in  1820.  He  is  now  post- 
master at  Ilillsboro'.     Whig  in  politics. 

17.  Hornets'  Nest,  Charlotte,  L.  S.  Badger. 

Mr.  Badger  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  about  28  years  old. 

18.  Journal  of  Temperance,  Elizabeth  City. 

19.  Lincoln  Courier,  Thomas  J.  Eccles. 

Mr.  Eccles,  born  in  Ireland  in  1823,  practical  printer ;  came  to 
Charleston  at  one  year  of  age ;  Democrat. 

20.  Methodist  Pulpit,  Greensboro',  Charles  F.  Deems. 

21.  Milton  Chronicle,  C.  N.  B.  Webb. 

Mr.  Webb  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  aged  37,  his  "  profession  is  printer, 
publisher,  and  postmaster.'' 

22.  IMouNTAiN  Banner,  Rutherfordton,  T.  A.  Hayden. 

Mr.  Ilayden  is  a  native  of  Florida,  aged  42.  Mr.  Wilson,  who  has 
succeeded  him,  is  a  native  of  Caswell,  about  30  years  old,  and  a 
lawyer  by  profession. 

23.  North  Carolina  Standard,  Raleigh,         W.  W.  Holden. 

W.  W.  Holden  is  a  native  of  Orange  County,  now  about  32,  prac- 
tical printer ;  studied  law  and  obtained  license,  but  left  the  bar 
for  the  press ;  a  Democrat. 

24.  North  Carolinian,  Fayette-sdlle,  William  H.  Bayne. 
Mr.  Bayne  was  a  native  of  Georgetown,  D.  C,  aged  36,  a  practical 


pr 


inter,  and  a  Democrat,     lie  died  August  1851. 


a 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  115 

25.  North  Carolina  Herald,  Ashboro',  R.  H.  Brown. 

Native  of  Randolph,  "young  and  aspiring,"  no  profession. 

26.  Newbernian^  Newbern,  William  D.  Maybew. 

Native  of  Massachusetts,  aged  about  40  years,  educated  at  Wash- 
ington College,  Lexington,  Rockbridge,  Va.  Removed  to  Wash- 
ington, N.  C,  in  1831,  and  took  charge  of  the  Academy  in  that 
place.  Studied  lavr  under  John  S.  Hawks,  Esq.,  and  obtained 
license  to  practice  in  1836.  Married  in  Newbern,  and  removed 
to  that  place  in  1837.  In  1844  bought  out  the  Nevrbernian  (a 
continuation  of  the  Spectator) ;  Whig  in  politics. 

27.  North  State  Whig,  Wasbington,  H.  Dimmock. 

Native  of  Maine,  lawyer,  and  Whig. 

28.  Old  North  State,  Elizabeth  City,  S.  D.  Poole. 

29.  Primitive  Baptist,  Raleigb,  Burwell  Temple. 

30.  Plymouth  Times,  William  Eborn. 

Native  of  Beaufort,  25  years  old,  Whig. 

SI.  People^s  Press,  Salem,  Blum  &  Sons. 

32.  Patriot  and  Republican,  Goldsboro',  W.  B.  Gulick. 

William  B.  Gulick  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  aged  36,  graduated  at 
Princeton  in  1844  ;  no  profession  but  that  of  editor ;  a  Democrat. 

33.  Raleigh  Register,  Seaton  Gales. 

Mr.  Gales  is  a  native  of  Wake,  aged  about  25,  by  profession  an 
editoi-,  a  Whig.  This  paper  was  established  in  October  1799, 
by  Joseph  Gales,  his  grandfather.  He  is  the  publisher  of  the 
first  daily  paper  ever  attempted  in  North  Carolina. 

34.  Raleigh  Star,  T.  J.  Lemay. 

Native  of  Granville,  about  49  years  old,  a  practical  printer  and 
preacher ;  Whig  in  politics. 

35.  Southern  Democrat,  Grabam,  J.  W.  Lancaster. 

Mr.  Lancaster  is  a  native  of  Edgecombe,  educated  at  the  University, 
graduated  in  1843,  lawyer  by  profession,  and  a  Democrat. 

36.  Spirit  of  the  Age,  A.  M.  Gorman. 

Native  of  Raleigh,  aged  37,  printer  by  professioa.  Devoted  to  tem- 
perance. 

37.  Tarboro'  Free  Press,  George  Howard,  Jr. 

38.  Villager,  Plymoutb,  W.  Eborn,  editor. 

39.  Wilmington  Herald,  Talcott  Burr. 

Native  of  Rhode  Island,  born  1802,  practical  printer. 

40.  Wilmington  Journal,  Fulton  and  Price. 

James  Fulton  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  26  years  of  age,  profession 

editor;  Democrat. 
A.  L.  Price  is  a  native  of  North  Carolina,  36  years  of  age,  profession 

printer,  and  a  Democrat. 

41.  Wilmington  Commercial,  T.  Bering. 

Thomas  Loring  is  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  aged  62,  practical 
printer  and  editor. 

42.  Wadesboro'  Argus,  Samuel  Fulton. 


116  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

43.  Weldon  Patriot,  R-  B.  Parker. 

[This  list  may  be  imperfect,  although  efforts  have  been  made  to  per- 
fect it.  Any  correction  will  be  thankfully  received  and  noticed, 
should  another  edition  be  called  for.] 

Of  these,  1  is  tri-weekly,  4  semi-weekly,  the  balance  weekly  or 
monthly. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Literary  institutions  of  North  Carolina— Their  history,  progress,  and  pre- 
sent condition— Queen's  Museum,  at  Charlotte,  1770— University,  incor- 
porated in  1789,  and  located  at  Chapel  Hill,  1792— Corner-stone  laid  in 
October  1793— Commenced  tuition,  1795— Life  and  character  of  Dr.  Joseph 
Caldwell ;  and  a  list  of  its  graduates  from  1798  to  1851— Davidson  College, 
in  Mecklenburg  County,  commenced  in  1838 :  its  present  faculty  and 
alumni,  from  1840— Wake  Forest  College,  in  Wake  County;  its  trustees 
and  faculty— Female  institutions,  common  schools,  and  Literary  Fund  of 
the  State. 

The  early  history  of  the  State  presents  hut  few  institutions,  where 
the  benefits  of  a  liberal  education  could  be  obtained. 

In  1736,  the  Governor  (Johnston),  in  his  address  to  the  Legisla- 
ture bewailed  the  deplorable  condition  of  the  province  in  which  no 
provision  had  been  made,  "or  care  taken  to  inspire  the  youth  with 
generous  sentiments,  worthy  principles,  or  the  least  tincture  of  lite- 
rature." 

In  1754,  an  act  was  passed  to  establish  a  public  seminary,  but  it 

proved  abortive. 

In  1764,  an  act  was  passed  to  erect  a  school-house  in  Newbern, 
and  in  1767  Trustees  were  incorporated. 

At  the  end  of  the  Royal  Government  (1775),  Martin  says  that 
"  Literature  was  hardly  known.  There  were  in  the  whole  province 
but  two  schools,  those  of  Newbern  and  Edenton.  In  the  first  a 
wooden  building,  in  which  the  meetings  of  the  Lower  House  of  the 
Legislature  were  occasionally  held." 

When  reading  the  resolves  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  the  Pro- 
vincial Councils,  the  District  Committees  of  Safety,  and  the  addresses 
which  they  published  to  the  country,  the  purity  of  the  language,  the 
simplicity  and  beauty  of  style,  the  cogency  of  argument  are  so  re- 
markable that  they  cannot  be  surpassed  by  the  most  polished  pro- 
ductions of  the  present  age. 

Even  the  handwriting  of  the  men  of  '75,  as  exhibited  in  the 
Journals,  will  bear  a  fair  comparison  with  those  of  this  day,  and  per- 
haps surpass  them  in  ease  and  plainness. 

This  proves  that  our  forefathers  had  not  been  inattentive  to  the 
objects  of  practical  education. 

In  1770,  a  charter  was  obtained  from  the  Provincial  Assembly 
to  incorporate  the  Queen  s  Museum  at  Charlotte. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  117 

The  charter  not  receiving  the  royal  sanction  was  amended ;  and 
again  passed  in  1771 ;  it  was  repealed  by  the  King.  But  it 
flourished  without  a  charter ;  and  in  1777  it  was  incorporated  by  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  State  by  the  name  of  Liberty  Hall. 

The  Trustees  were  Isaac  Alexander,  M.  D.,  President;  Thomas 
Polk,  Thomas  Neal,  Abraham  Alexander,  Waightstill  Avery, 
Ephraim  Brevard,  M.  D.,  John  Simpson,  Adlai  Osborne,  John  Mc 
Knitt  Alexander,  Rev.  Da-\dd  Caldwell,  James  Edmonds,  Thomas 
Reese,  Samuel  E.  McCorkle,  Thomas  Harris  McCaule,  and  James 
Hall. 

The  latter  were  Presbyterian  Ministers,  and  the  school  was  under 
the  supervision  of  this  highly  respectable  denomination. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  Trustees  was  held  at  Charlotte,  January 
3d,  1778.  Lots  were  purchased  in  the  town  of  Charlotte  belonging 
to  Col.  Thomas  Polk.  The  revolutionary  war  closed  the  school,  and 
the  troops  of  Cornwallis  occupied  its  halls. 

Rev.  David  Caldavell,  about  the  year  1767,  opened  a  school  in 
Guilford  county.  He  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  graduated  at 
Princeton,  in  1761,  and  a  Presbyterian  Minister.  (See  Guilford 
county.)  This  school  was  conducted  with  great  success.  "His  log 
cabin  served  for  many  years  to  North  Carolina,  as  an  Academy,  a 
College,  and  a  Theological  Seminary."  Many  who  were  here  edu- 
cated have  become  distinguished  as  statesmen,  lawyers,  physicians 
and  divines. 

The  Constitution  adopted  at  Halifax,  18th  Dec,  1776,  declared 
(in  Section  XLI.)  that  a  school  or  schools  shall  be  established,  and 
"  all  useful  learning  shall  be  duly  encouraged  and  promoted  in  one 
or  more  universities."  Accordingly,  in  1789,  the  University  of 
North  Carolina  was  established  by  incorporating  Samuel  Johnston 
and  others  Trustees,  and  in  Nov.  1792,  these  Trustees  located  this 
Institution  at  Chapel  Hill,  in  Orange  county.  Eleven  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  of  land  were  conveyed  to  the  Trustees  by  the  citizens 
of  this  neighborhood.  In  Oct.  1793,  the  first  lots  of  the  village 
were  sold,  and  the  corner-stone  of  the  College  laid.  The  ceremonies 
were  conducted  with  masonic  honors,  by  Wm.  R.  Davie,  Grand 
Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North  Carolina,  at  the  time,  and 
afterwards.  Governor  of  the  State.  The  Rev.  Dr.  McCorkle,  one 
of  the  Trustees,  made  an  address. 

The  buildings  being  sufficiently  prepared  in  1795,  the  Trustees 
selected  Rev.  David  Kerr  as  Professor,  and  Samuel  A.  Holmes  as 
Tutor. 

Mr.  Hinton  James  was  the  first  student ;  who  arrived  from  Wil- 
mington, Feb.  12th,  1795. 

Public  instruction  commenced  on  the  13th. 

Mr.  Kerr  was  a  foreigner  by  birth,  a  graduate  of  Trinity  College, 
Dublin,  a  man  of  piety  and  learning.  He  emigrated  to  this  country 
in  1791,  and  preached  in  Fayetteville,  in  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  taught  school  there  for  three  years.  He  remained  but  a  short 
time  at  the  University,  removing  to  Lumberton,  and  commenced  the 


118  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Study  of  law.  He  removed  afterwards  to  Mississippi,  where  lie 
acquired  wealth  and  honors  (he  was  United  States  Marshal  and 
Judge).     He  died  in  1810. 

He  was  succeeded  in  the  Presidency  of  the  University  of  North 
Carolina,  by  Charles  W.  Harris,  of  Cabarrus  county,  who  was  ap- 
pointed Professor  of  Mathematics,  and  Mr.  Holmes,  Professor  of 
Languages. 

Mr.  Harris  remained  only  a  year  at  the  university,  preferring, 
like  his  predecessor,  the  pui'suit  of  his  profession,  and  in  which  he 
would  have  attained  gi-eat  eminence  had  not  death  suddenly  closed 
his  career.  He  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Joseph  Caldwell,  at  this 
time  a  tutor  in  Nassau  Hall,  New  Jersey,  who  was  appointed  Pro- 
fessor of  Mathematics  in  the  fall  of  1796. 

For  forty  years  the  destinies  of  the  institution  were  directed  by 
Dr.  Caldwell.     His  history  is  its  record. 

He  was  born  in  Lamington,  New  Jersey,  on  the  21st  of  April, 
1773,  the  day  after  the  bui'ial  of  his  father,  who  was  a  physician, 
and  of  Irish  descent.  He  was  educated  at  Princeton,  where  he 
graduated  in  August,  1791. 

He  was  employed  in  teaching  and  studying  divinity  until  April, 
1795,  when  he  was  appointed  tutor  in  his  alma  maier.  His  asso- 
ciate in  this  duty  was  Mr.  Hobart,  afterwards  Bishop  of  New  York  ; 
here  he  remained  until  1796,  when  he  was  appointed  Professor  of 
Mathematics  in  the  University  of  North  Carolina. 

In  1806  he  was  appointed  President  of  the  University. 
In  1811  he  made  an  excursion  throughout  the  State,  to  collect 
funds  for  the  aid  of  the  college,  and  received  $12,000. 

In  1816  he  received  the  honorary  degree  of  D.  D.  from  Nassau 
Hall,  and  also  from  the  University  of  North  Carolina. 

In  1824  he  was  sent  to  Em-ope  to  direct  the  construction  of  the 
philosophical  apparatus  and  procure  books  for  the  library. 

He  remained  connected  with  it  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
on  the  27th  of  January,  1835. 

Tile  life,  character,  and  services  of  Dr.  Caldwell  afford  inviting 
material  to  the  biographer  and  historian.  Connected  as  he  was 
with  the  University,  which  he  raised,  by  his  energy,  talents,  and 
piety,  from  an  obscm-e  institution  to  the  front  ranks  of  science ; 
embalmed  as  is  his  memory  in  the  hearts  of  many  now  scattered 
over  our  whole  Union,  who  witnessed  his  services  and  enjoyed  the 
benefits  of  his  labors,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  one  of  these  will 
enter  upon  this  pious  duty.  His  character  was  one  worthy  of  study 
and  imitation.  In  his  person,  he  was  small  and  delicate.  His 
expansive  forehead,  bushy  eyebrows,  his  keen  glance,  and  regular 
features  evidenced  strong  powers  of  reason,  great  determination 
of  character,  invincible  firmness  and  self-possession. 

His  usefulness  was  not  confined  to  the  advancement  of  the  Uni- 
versity alone.     In  1827,  he  delivered  at  Raleigh  a  lecture  on  Rail- 
roads, then  a  new  subject  to  the  members  of  the  Legislatm-e. 
He  wrote  numerous  essays  on  Common  Schools,  the  Deaf  and 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  119 

Dumb,  and  the  condition  of  the  State  as  to  internal  improvement; 
which  were  extensiyely  circulated,  attentively  read,  and  were  instru- 
mental in   directing  public   attention  in  North  Carolina  towards 
these  important  subjects. 
It  was  not  his  fortune 

"  The  applause  of  listening  Senates  to  command ;" 

nor  did  he  direct  in  fields  of  battle  or  of  victory.  But  he 
discharged  the  important  part  of  training  those  whose  eloquence 
now  often  charms  our  Congress,  whose  talents  preside  in  our 
courts,  and  whose  piety  enlivens  our  faith. 

-The  warrior's  name, 


Tho'  pealed  and  chimed  by  every  tongue  of  fame, 
Sounds  less  harmonious  to  the  grateful  mind 
Than  he  who  fashions  and  improves  mankind." 

He  was  succeeded  by  Hon.  David  L.  Swain,  for  whose  biography 
the  reader  is  referred  to  another  chapter.    (See  Buncombe.) 

JList  of  tJie  Faculty/  at  this  time,  and  Grraduates  of  the  Institution 

from  1798  to  1850. 

Hon.  David  L.  Swain,  LL.  D.,  President. 

Rev.  Elisha  Mitchell,  Professor  of  Chemistry. 

Rev.  James  Phillips,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Mathematics,  Mensu- 

i-ation,  and  Geology. 
Rev.  Fordyce  M.  Hubbard,  Professor  of  Latin,  and  Natural 

Philosophy. 
Hon.  Wm.  H.  Battle,  Professor  of  Law. 
Manuel  Fetter,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  Greek. 
Rev.  John  Thomas  Wheat,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  Logic. 
Rev.  Albert  M.  Shipp,  Professor  of  History  and  French. 
Charles  Phillips,  Tutor  of  Mathematics. 
AsHBEL  P.  Brown,  Tutor  of  Languages. 
Kemp  P,  Battle,  Tutor  of  Mathematics. 
Wm.  H.  Johnson,  Tutor  of  Languages. 

graduates. 

1798.  Wm.  S.  Webb, 
William  Hinton,                                      George  W.  Long, 
Samuel  Hinton,  '                        Samuel  A.  Holmes. 
Hinton  James, 

Robert  Locke,  1800. 

Alexander  Osborne,  William  Cherry, 

Edwin  Jay  Osborne,  John  Lawson  Henderson, 

Adam  Springs.  Thomas  Hunt.  . 

1799.  1801. 
Francis  Nash  Williams  Burton,  Thomas  Gale  Amis, 
William  D.  Crawford,  Thomas  Davis  Bennehan, 
Andrew  Flinn,  John  Branch, 
Archibald  Debrow  Murphy,  Wm.  McKenzie  Clarke, 
John  Phifer,  Francis  Little  Dancy, 
Wm,  Morgan  Sneed,  John  Davis  Hawkins, 


120 


HISTORY  OP  NORTH  CAROLDTA. 


Thomas  D.  King, 
Archibald  Lytle, 
Wm.  H.  Murfee. 

1802. 
Adlai  L.  Osborne, 
George  W.  Thorntoc, 
Cary  Wbitaker. 

1803. 
Chesly  Daniel, 
William  P.  Hall, 
Matthew  Troy. 

1804. 
Eichard  Armstead^ 
Thomas  Brown, 
Willie  W.  Jones, 
Atlas  Jones, 
James  Sneed, 
Richard  Henderson. 

1805. 
Jos.  Warren  Hawkins, 
Benjamin  Franklin  Hawkms, 
Spruce  M.  Osborne. 

1806. 
John  Adams  Cameron^ 
James  Henderson, 
Durant  Hatch, 
James  Martin. 

1807. 
Dnncan  J.  Campbelly 
Stephen  Davis, 
John  Robert  Donnelly 
Gavin  Hogg, 
John  C.  Montgomery, 
John  Louis  Taylor. 

_ 1808. 
John  Bright  BrowEy 
Eol>ert  Campbell, 
John  Coleman, 
Wm.  James  CowaHy 
Wm.  Pugh  Ferrand, 
Alfred  M.  Gatlin, 
John  Giles, 
William  Green, 
James  A.  Harrington, 
William  Henderson, 
Benjamin  D.  Rounsavillej, 
Lewis  Williams, 
Thomas  L.  Williams. 

1809. 
John  Bobbitt, 
Maxwell  Chambers, 
John  Gilchrist, 
Philemon  Hawkins,, 


William  Hooper, 
John  Briggs  Mebane, 
Thomas  G.  Polk, 
John  R.  Stokes, 
John  C.  Williams, 
Abner  W.  Clopton. 

1810. 
Thomas  W.  Jones, 
James  F.  Taylor, 
John  Witherspoon. 

1811. 
John  A.  Ramsey. 

1812. 
Daniel  Graham, 
James  Hogg, 
Thomas  Clarke  Hooper, 
William  Johnson, 
Murdoch  McLean, 
Archibald  McQueen, 
Johnson  Pinkston, 
Joseph  B.  J.  Roulhac, 
Wm.  E.  Webb, 
Charles  J.  Wright. 

1813. 
Wm.  Edward  Bailey, 
Wm.  Spaight  Blackledge, 
Thomas  Wharton  Blackledge, 
Archibald  Fairley, 
Thomas  Faddis, 
Robert  Gordon, 
John  H.  Hinton, 
Francis  Hawkins, 
George  W.  Hawkinst, 
Duncan  McKinnie, 
Wm.  L.  Polk, 
John  G.  Roulhac, 
Abner  Stith, 
Lewis  Taylor. 

1814. 
Wm.  Augustus  Boon, 
Aaron  V.  Browne, 
James  Farrier, 
James  Graham, 
John  W.  Graves, 
John  L.  Graves, 
Robert  Hall, 
Tippo  S.  Henderson, 
John  Hill, 
Charles  L.  Hinton, 
Charles  Manly, 
James  Morrison, 
Samuel  Pickens, 
Thomas  B.  Scott, 
Tryon  M.  Yancey, 
Edmund  Wilkins. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


121 


1815. 
John  H.  Bryan, 
Isaac  Croom, 
George  F.  Graham, 
Edward  Hall, 
<       Lemuel  Hatch, 
Francis  L.  Hawks, 
Kobert  Hinton, 
James  Hooper, 
Robert  R.  King, 
Mathew  McClung, 
Willie  P.  Mangum, 
Stockley  D.  Mitchell, 
Mathew  R.  Moore, 
Priestly  H.  Mangum, 
Henry  L.  Plummer, 
Stephen  R.  Sneed, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Hugh  M.  Stokes. 

1816. 
Wm.  J.  Alexander, 
Lawson  H.  Alexander, 
James  A.  Craig, 
Moses  J.  DeRosset, 
Nathaniel  Daniel, 
John  E.  Graham, 
Mark  Henderson, 
Charles  A  Hill, 
Joseph  R.  Loyd, 
John  Y.  Mason, 
James  McClung, 
Junius  A.  Moore, 
John  Patterson, 
James  Sampson, 
Wm.  B.  A.  WalHs. 

1817. 
Richard  H.  Alexander, 
Hardy  B.  Croom, 
Goodei'um  Davis, 
Samuel  T.  Hauser, 
John  II.  Hawkins, 
John  M.  Morehead, 
James  Simeson, 
Hardy  L.  Holmes, 
Wm.  R.  Holt, 
James  Murdock. 

1818. 
Robert  Donaldson, 
Thomas  J.  Green, 
*Wm.  M.  Green, 
Arthur  J.  Hill, 
Hamilton  C.  Jones, 
Henry  Jones, 
Pleasant  H.  May, 
Edward  J.  Mallett, 
Elam  J.  Morrison, 

*  Bishop  of  Mississippi. 

t  Late  President  of  the  United  States. 


Robert  H.  Morrison, 
fWm.  D.  Mosely, 
Peter  0.  Picot, 
JJames  K.  Polk, 
Hugh  Waddell. 

1819. 
Walker  Anderson, 
J.  L.  Brooks, 
David  T.  Caldwell, 
Wm.  H.  Haywood, 
Owen  Holmes, 
Simon  P.  Jordan, 
James  Mann, 
James  T.  Morehead, 
John  Q.  McNeil, 
Clemens  C.  Read, 
James  H.  Ruffin. 

1820. 
Cyrus  Adams  Alexander, 
Richard  Allison, 
Wm.  H.  Battle, 
Archibald  G.  Carter, 
Charles  G.  Donoho, 
Wm.  H.  Hardin, 
Jno.  S.  Haywood, 
Wm.  M.  Lee, 
James  F.  Martin, 
Bartholomew  F.  Moore, 
James  H.  Otey, 
Mathias  B.  D."Palmer, 
Malcolm  G.  Purcell, 
Thomas  E.  Read, 
Charles  G.  Rose, 
Wm.  Royall, 
Thomas  *B.  Slade, 
Richard  J.  Smith, 
Charles  G.  Spaight, 
John  M.  Stark, 
David  W.  Stone, 
John  C.  Taylor, 
Phillip  H.  Thomas, 
Henry  C.  Williams, 
Thomas  H.  Wright. 

1821. 
Nath.  W.  Alexander, 
Samuel  J.  Alves, 
Benj.  F.  Blackledge, 
Robert  H.  Cowan, 
Bryan  Croom, 
Frederick  J.  Cutler, 
John  R,  J.  Daniel, 
Nicholas  J.  Drake, 
Robert  Galloway, 
Henry  T.  Garnett, 
Nath.  Ilarriss, 
Wm.  R.  Haywood, 

t  Late  Governor  of  Florida. 


122 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Geo.  W.  Haywood, 
Sam'l  Ileaden, 
Pleasant  Henderson, 
Thompson  M.  Johnson, 
Thos.  J.  Lacey, 
Willis  M.  Lee, 
Wm.  K.  Mebane, 
Anderson  Mitchell, 
Wm.  S.  Mhoon, 
Wm.  D.  Murphy, 
Spencer  O'Brien, 
Edward  G.  Pasteur, 
Jos.  II.  Saunders, 
Wm.  A.  Shaw, 
Sam'l  II.  Smith, 
Jas.  Stafford, 
Jas.  H.  Taylor, 
G.  L.  Torrence. 

1822. 
Jas.  Bowman, 
Chas.  L.  Davies, 
Wm.  B.  Davies, 
Thos.  F.  Davis, 
Jno.  Elliot, 
Wm.  A.  Hall, 
Jas.  T.  Hall, 
Wm.  Ilardiman, 
Benj.  F.  Haywood, 
Fabius  J.  Haywood, 
Thos.  Hill, 
Jno.  A.  Hogan, 
Joel  Holleman, 
Wm.  D.  Jones, 
Sam'l  Kerr, 
Pleasant  W.  Kittrell, 
Kobt.  G.  Martin, 
Kobt.  H.  Mason, 
Washington  Morrison, 
Robt.  N.  Ogden, 
Wm.  D.  Pickett, 
Lucius  J.  Polk, 
Abraham  Kencher, 
Marion  Saunders, 
Jas.  B.  Slade, 
Benj.  Sumner, 
Geo.  Terry, 
Alex.  E.  Wilson. 

1823. 
Sam'l  S.  Bell, 
Geo.  T.  Bettner, 
Alex.  M.  Boylan, 
Daniel  AV.  Courts, 
Wm.  S.  Chapman, 
Geo.  F.  Davidson, 
Jas.  11.  Dickson, 
John  C.  Ellerbe, 
Robt.  B.  Gilliam, 
Thos.  G.  Graham, 
Isaac  Hall, 
Thos.  B.  Haywood, 


Jas.  K.  Leitch, 
Edmond  L.  Martin, 
Hugh  Martin, 
Benj.  T.  Moore, 
Victor  M.  Murphy, 
Richmond  M.  Pearson, 
Jno.  Rains, 
Benj.  S.  Ricks, 
Mathias  E.  Sawyer, 
Alfred  M.  Scales, 
Sam'l  Stewart, 
Thos.  Sumner, 
Jas.  A.  Washington, 
Geo.  Whitfield, 
Robt.  P.  Williamson, 
Wm.  L.  Wills. 

1824. 
John  Allison, 
Benj.  H.  Alston, 
Willis  W.  Alston, 
Dan.  B.  Baker, 
Benj.  B.  Blume, 
Thomas  Bond, 
Robt.  W.  Booth, 
John  Bragg, 
Jas.  W.  Bryan, 
Henry  E.  Coleman, 
Armand  J.  DeRosset, 
Thos.  Dews, 
Richard  Evans, 
Richard  Fearn, 
Ervin  J.  Frierson, 
Wm.  N.  Gibson, 
Wm.  A.  Graham, 
Robert  Hall,  ' 
Hardy  Holmes, 
Wm.  F.  Lytle, 
Mathias  E.  Manly, 
Augustus  Moore, 
James  H.  Norwood, 
John  W.  Norwood, 
David  Outlaw, 
Broomfield  L.  Ridley, 
David  N.  Sanders, 
Edw.  D.  Sims, 
Wm.  R.  Smith, 
Sam'l  F.  Sneed, 
Wm.  A.  Taylor, 
Wm.  H.  Thompson, 
William  J.  Twitty, 
John  L.  Wright. 

1825. 
Charles  E.  Alexander, 
Elam  Alexander, 
Albert  V.  Allen, 
Walter  Alves, 
William  E.  Anderson, 
Isaac  Baker, 
Allen  J.  Bai-bee, 
Wm.  J.  Bingham, 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


123 


Wm.  P.  Boylan, 
James  0.  Bruce, 
Jesse  Carter, 
John  D.  Clancy, 
Richard  S.  Clinton, 
Washington  Donnell, 
John  M.  Gee, 
Milo  A.  Giles, 
Ralph  Gorrell, 
Livingston  Harris, 
Fred.  W.  Harrison, 
Jonathan  H.  Ilaughton, 
Samuel  S.  Hinton, 
William  II.  Hodge, 
Samuel  L.  Holt, 
Benjamin  S.  Long, 
James  Martin, 
James  Moore, 
Columbus  Morrison, 
James  E.  Morrison, 
Thomas  11.  Pipkin, 
Marshal  T.  Polk, 
Samuel  W.  Poplcston, 
Thomas  Riddle, 
William  Seawell, 
William  D.  Sims, 
John  W.  Walters, 
Burrell  B.  Wilkes, 
William  A.  Wright, 
J.  J.  Wyche, 
William  B.  Wright. 

1826. 
Silas  M.  Andrews, 
Daniel  M.  Barringer, 
Henry  T.  Clark, 
Richard  S.  Croom, 
William  B.  Dunn, 
Henry  B.  Elliott, 
William  H.  Gray, 
Thomas  S.  Iloskins, 
Archibald  Gilchrist, 
Samuel  I.  Johnston, 
Jacob  A.  King, 
Erasmus  D.  North, 
William  Norwood, 
Ferdinand  W.  Risque, 
John  Smith, 
Oliver  D.  Tredwell, 
Leander  A.  Watts, 
Thomas  W.  Watts, 
James  M.  Wright. 

1827. 
Charles  W.  11.  Alexander, 
Robert  J.  Allison, 
James  W.  Armstrong, 
Absalom  K.  Barr, 
Thomas  W.  Belt, 
Thompson  Byrd, 
William  D.  Crawford, 
John  L.  Fairley, 


Thomas  P.  Hall, 
Lawson  F.  Henderson, 
John  W.  Huske, 
John  R.  Jordan, 
Edwin  A.  Keeble, 
Lorenzo  Lee, 
Richard  H.  Lewis, 
Jesse  H.  Lindsay, 
Alexander  Macky, 
George  Miller, 
Alfred  0.  P.  Nicholson, 
Thomas  M.  C.  Prince, 
Robert  A.  T.  Ridley, 
Reuben  T.  Saunders, 
Charles  B.  Shepard, 
Lewis  G.  Slaughter, 
James  V.  Thompson, 
Lewis  Thompson, 
Whitmel  B.  Tunstall, 
John  R.  Williamson, 
John  Winston, 
Warren  Winslow, 
William  H.  Wooding, 
Henry  Yarborough. 

1828. 
Richard  H.  Battle, 
Edwin  G.  Booth, 
Henry  S.  Clarke, 
John  P.  Gaiise, 
Edwin  R.  Harris, 
James  D.  Hall, 
Thomas  P.  Johnston, 
James  K.  Nesbitt, 
Thomas  J.  Oakes, 
John  L.  Taylor, 
Henry  I.  Toole. 

1829. 
Philip  W.  Alston, 
John  P.  Brown, 
Burton  Craige, 
Thomas  W.  Dulany, 
William  Eaton, 
James  A.  Johnston, 
Sidney  X.  Johnston, 
James  E.  Kerr, 
Osborne  F.  Long, 
David  M.  Lee, 
Richard  M.  Shepherd, 
Franklin  L.  Smith, 
Richard  R.  Wall, 
Rufus  A.  Yancey. 

1830. 
John  A.  Backhouse, 
John  H.  Edwards, 
Rawley  Galloway, 
Cicero  S.  Hawks, 
Richard  K.  Hill, 
William  W.  Kennedy, 


124 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


George  G.  Lea, 
Nathaniel  McCain, 
James  W.  Osborne, 
WiUiam  K.  Ruffin, 
Aaron  J.  Spivey, 
Elisha  Stedman, 
John  M.  Stedman, 
Benjamin  F.  Terry. 

1831. 
Henry  J.  Cannon, 
James  Grant, 
J.  D.  B.  Hooper, 
Allen  C.  Jones, 
Calvin  Jones, 
Alexander  Mebane, 
Thomas  R.  Owen, 
Thomas  J.  Pitchford, 
Samuel  B.  Powell, 
Archibald  A.  I.  Smith, 
William  W.  Spear, 
Jacob  Thompson, 
Jesse  A.  Waugh, 
James  Monroe  Williamson. 

1832. 
Thomas  L.  Armstrong, 
Thomas  S.  Ashe, 
Samuel  S.  Biddle, 
Thomas  L.  Clingman, 
Daniel  G.  Doak, 
James  C.  Dobbin, 
George  Hairston, 
John  L.  Hargrave, 
Thomas  W.  Harris, 
John  H.  Haughton, 
Thomas  B.  Hill, 
Michael  B.  Holt, 
Cadwallader  Jones, 
Thomas  J.  Jones, 
John  H.  Parker, 
Rufus  M.  Roseborough, 
Richard  H.  Smith, 
Stephen  S.  Sorsby, 
James  0.  Stedman, 
Samuel  B.  Stephens, 
Thomas  E.  Taylor, 
Samuel  A.  AYilliams, 
Charles  C.  Wilson. 

1833. 
John  G.  Bynum, 
William  M.  Crenshaw, 
P.  E.  A.  Jones, 
Edmund  W.  Jones, 
Warren  E.  Kennedy, 
Junius  B.  King, 
Solomon  Lea, 
William  N.  Mebane, 
William  H.  Owen, 
Julian  E.  Sawyer, 


Josiah  Stallings, 
Addi  E.  D.  Thorra, 
Henry  J.  McLin. 

1834. 
Albert  G.  Anderson, 
Samuel  R.  Blake, 
William  P.  Bond, 
William  B.  Carter, 
Harrison  W.  Covington, 
William  P.  Gunn, 
Thomas  G.  Haughton, 
David  McAllister, 
Henry  W.  Miller, 
Abraham  F.  Morehead, 
James  B.  Shepard, 
Samuel  Williams, 
Thomas  J.  Williams. 

1835. 
C.  C.  Battle, 
Rich'd  B.  Creecy, 
Charles  R.  Dobson, 
Augustus  J.  Foster, 
Henry  L.  Graves, 
Haywood  W.  Guion, 
Robert  W.  Henry, 
James  H.  Hutchins, 
John  Paisley, 
Horace  L.  Robards, 
William  A.  Rose, 
Samuel  Ruffin, 
James  C.  Smith, 
John  G.  Thompson, 
William  G.  Welsh. 

1836. 
James  A.  Chrichton, 
John  A.  Downey, 
Ralph  H.  Graves, 
Thomas  Gholson, 
Joseph  E.  Hamlet, 
William  W.  Hooper, 
Benjamin  J.  Howze, 
Thomas  S.  Jacobs, 
Thomas  Jones, 
Robert  G.  McCutchin, 
Frederick  N.  j\L  Williams, 
Henry  K.  Nash, 
Charles  L.  Pettigrew,  . 

William  B.  Rodman, 
James  Saunders, 
Lawrence  W.  Scott, 
Thomas  Stamps, 
William  L.  Stamps, 
John  G.  Tull. 

1837. 
William  W.  Avery, 
Augustus  Benners, 
Perrin  Busbee, 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


125 


Peter  W.  Hairston, 

George  S.  HoUey, 
Samuel  B.  Massey, 
Leonard  H.  Taylor, 
James  G.  Womack, 
Pride  Jones. 

.    1838. 
Kemp  P.  Alston, 
H.  W.  Burgwin, 
Charles  ■J.4i-  Craddock, 
Green  M.  Cuthbert, 
George  Davis, 
Joseph  W.  Evans, 
Needham  W.  Herring, 
Benjamin  M.  Hobson, 
Albert  G.  Hubbard, 
J.  J.  Jackson, 
K.  H.  Levris, 
AVilliam  J.  Long, 
Charles  M.  McCauley, 
John  J.  Ptoberts, 
Colin  Shaw, 
James  Summerville, 
William  R.  Walker, 
Wilson  W.  Whitaker, 
Gaston  H.  Wilder. 

1839. 
Clarke  M.  Avery, 
John  N.  Barksdale, 
William  F.  Browne, 
Jarvis  Buxton, 
Richard  T.  Donnell, 
Dennis  D.  Ferebee, 
John  L.  Hadley, 
Jos.  H.  Headen, 
Walter  A.  Huske, 
Alpheus  Jones, 
Augus.  C.  McNeil, 
Thomas  D.  Meares, 
Isaac  N.  Tillet. 

1840. 
David  A.  Barnes, 
Tod  R.  Caldwell, 
Jno.  W.  Cameron, 
Richard  H.  Claiborne, 
Ralph  A.  Clement, 
Jno.  W.  Cunningham, 
Daniel  B.  Currie, 
Isaac  Shelby  Currie, 
Wm.  H.  H.  Dudley, 
Charles  C.  Graham, 
Wm.  S.  Green, 
Francis  H.  Hawks, 
William  H.  Henderson, 
Lucius  J.  Johnston, 
Wm.  Johnston, 
Daniel  L.  Kenan, 


Jno,  A.  Lillington, 
Wm.  Logan, 
Willis  H.  McLeod, 
Andrew  McMillan, 
Walter  W.  Pharr, 
Oliver  H.  Prince, 
Samuel  J.  Proctor, 
Archibald  Purcell, 
Duncan  Sellares, 
Jno.  P.  Sharpe, 
Albert  M.  Shipp, 
Wm.  M.  Shipp, 
Thomas  H.  Spruill, 
Wm.  Thompson, 
Calvin  H.  Wiley. 

1841. 
Benj.  F.  Atkins, 
Thos.  L.  Avery, 
Robert  F.  Bridges, 
John  W.  Brodanax, 
Robert  Burton, 
Archibald  H.  Caldwell, 
Wm.  J.  Clark, 
Wm.  F.  Dancy, 
Jno.  S.  Dancy, 
Leonidas  L.  Dancy, 
Jas.  A.  Delk, 
Robt.  D.  Dickson, 
John  W.  Ellis, 
John  S.  Erwin, 
Chauncey  W.  Graham, 
Stephen  Graham, 
Wm.  W.  Green, 
Atlas  0.  Harrison, 
Jno.  D.  Hawkins, 
Richard  B.  Haywood, 
Jno.  F.  Hoke, 
Angus  R.  Kelly, 
Jas.  A.  Long, 
Hector  McAllster, 
Vardry  A.  McBee, 
Montfort  McGehee, 
Andrew  F.  McRee, 
Saml.  B.  McPheeters, 
Stephen  A.  Norflet, 
Francis  L.  Pearson, 
Richmend  N.  Pearson, 
Charles  Phillips, 
Samuel  F.  Phillips, 
Horatio  M.  Polk, 
Thomas  RufEn, 
Jesse  G.  Shepherd, 
Robert  Strange,  Jr. 
James  F.  Taylor, 
James  II.  Viser, 
Samuel  H.  Walkup, 
Thos.  B.  Wetmore, 
James  II.  Williams, 
Jno.  C.  Williams. 


126 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


1842. 
Richard  J.  Ashe, 
Rufus  Barringer, 
Wm.  A.  Bell, 
Francis  T.  Bryan, 
James  A.  Caldwell, 
James  W.  Campbell, 
Robert  M.  Campbell, 
David  Coloman, 
James  L.  iJiisenbery, 
Stephen  S.  Ureen, 
Wm.  II.  Ilaigh, 
Wm.  W.  Harris, 
Chas.  P.  Ilartwell, 
Wm.  I.  Hayes, 
Peter  J.  Holmes, 
John  F.  Jack, 
Wm.  F.  Lewis, 
Wm.  F.  Martin, 
Wm.  P.  McBee, 
Thos.  P.  Morrisy, 
Wm.  S.  Mullins, 
Israel  L.  Pickens, 
Nath.  II.  Quince, 
Geo.  W.  Kuffin, 
Jno.  B.  Smith, 
Ashley  W,  Spaight. 

1842. 
Jos.  J.  Summeroll, 
Ruffin  A\\  Tomlinson, 
Richd.  D.  AVilson. 

1843. 
Cheslcy  P.  P.  Barber, 
James  M.  Boyd, 
Jno.  L.  Bridges, 
Ashbcll  G.  Brown, 
Henry  L.  Clement, 
Thos.  A.  Covington, 
Wm.  D.  Cowan, 
Robt.  P.  Dick, 
Jas.  W.  Downing, 
Philo  P.  Henderson, 
Richard  B.  Hill, 
Jos.  C.  Iluske, 
Jas.  P.  Erwin, 
Thos.  L.  Johnston, 
Richard  T.  Jones, 
Rufus  H.  Jones, 
Michael  A.  King, 
J.  W.  Lancaster, 
Jas.  A.  Leak, 
Walter  W.  Lenoir, 
Frederick  J.  Lord, 
Jos.  McCleese, 
Thomas  L.  D.  McDowell, 
Bartlet  Y.  McNairy, 
John  L.  Mears, 
Jno.  G.  B.  iMj'ers, 
Saml.  J.  Person, 


Jno.  J.  Rpcsp, 
Willis  II.  Saunders, 
Thos.  D.  Walker, 
Jno.  T.  Watson, 
Jno.  L.  Williamson, 
Clement  G.  Wright, 

1844. 

Jno.  Ballaiifant, 

Wm.  F.  Barbee, 

Wm.  S.  Battle, 

Wm.  A.  Blount, 

Jno.  B.  Borden, 

Jno.  II.  Bryan, 

Jno.  II.  M.  Clinch, 

Edmond  D.  Covington, 

Jno.  Cowan, 

Robert  Cowan, 

Pleasant  U.  Dalton, 

Chas.  F.  Dewey, 

Leonidas  C.  Edwards, 

Alfred  G.  Foster, 

Robt.  T.  Fuller, 

Henry  G.  Graham, 

Jos.  M.  Graham, 

Ebenezer  C.  (Jricr, 

Robert  T.  Hall, 

Philemon  B.  Hawkins, 

Wm.  Hill, 

Wm.  II.  Ilinton, 

Jas.  Horner, 

Jas.  S.  Johnston, 

Gustavus  A.  Jones, 

Edward  B.  Lewis, 

Robin  II.  C.  Jones, 

Jno.  W.  Long, 

Jos.  McLaurin, 

Peter  K.  Rounsaville, 

Thos.  Ruffin, 

Robt.  A.  Sanders, 
James  G.  Scott, 
Benjamin  M.  Smith, 
Stephen  A.  Stanfield, 
Walter  L.  Steele, 
Thomas  II.  C.  Turner, 
George  B.  Wetmore, 
Exom  L.  Whi taker, 
James  A.  Wiiubish, 
Edward  C.  Yellowby. 

1845. 
William  E.  Barnett, 
Jos.  J.  B.  Batchelor, 
Charles  Bruce, 
Peter  G.  Burton, 
Ralph  P.  Burton, 
Samuel  P.  Calvert, 
Samuel  G.  Cockrell, 
Thomas  T.  Davis, 
Edward  Drunigoole, 
Edwin  A.  Duseubery, 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


127 


Alexander  B.  Hawkins, 
James  P.  Ilerrin, 
Eugene  J.  llinton, 
Owen  D.  Holmes, 
Pleasant  A.  Holt, 
II.  0.  W.  Hooker, 
Virginius  H.  Ivey, 
Frederick  D.  Lent, 
Langdon  C.  INIanly, 
Kicluxrd  H.  INIason, 
Thimias  C.  Mcllhenny, 
William  T.  Mcbane, 
Alexander  D.  Moore, 
Lucius  H.  Saunders, 
Reuben  C.  Shorter, 
Thomas  T.  Slade, 
Jesse  P.  Smith, 
De  Witt  C.  Stone,    > 
George  V.  Strong, 
Thomas  1.  Sumner, 
Leonidas  Tavlor, 
Samuel  D.Wharton, 
Thomas  E.  Whyte. 

1846. 
James  S.  Amis, 
Turner  W.  Battle, 
William  K.  Blake, 
Alexander  F.  Brevard, 
William  S.  Bryan, 
William  F.  Carter, 
John  X.  Daniel, 
William  A.  Daniel, 
William  P.  Duke, 
Solomon  J.  Faison, 
William  A.  Faison, 
Bichard  N.  Forbes, 
Edward  H.  Hicks, 
R.  C.  T.  S.  Hilliard, 
John  L.  Holmes, 
David  S.  Johnston, 
William  B.  Mears, 
Thomas  U.  Newby, 
Stephen  F.  Pool, 
Sion  H.  Rogers, 
James  S.  Ruffin, 
Frederic  A.  Shepherd, 
John  Vicar  Sherard, 
David  T.  Taylor, 
James  R.  Ward, 
Richard  T.  Weaver, 
Beniamin  F.  Whitaker, 
Owen  H.  Whitfield, 
Hillory  M.  Wilder. 

1847. 
Alfred  Alston, 
Joel  D.  Battle, 
Joseph  Benjamin, 
George  AV.  Berry, 
Alexander  J.  Causler, 


Duncan  L.  Clinch, 
John  C.  Coleman, 
Thomas  W.Dewey, 
Samuel  J.  Erwin, 
John  0.  Guiou, 
Eli  W.  Hall, 
Thomas  C.  Hall, 
James  W.  Hicks, 
Elias  C.  nines, 
David  llinton, 
William  M.  Howerton, 
John  J.  Kindred, 
M.  Langford, 
Lionel  Lincoln  Levy, 
William  Lucas, 
William  H.  3Ianly, 
Benjamin  F.  Mebane, 

James  L.  Moseley, 
John  D.  Myrick, 

Edmond  H.  Norcom, 

James  J.  Pettigrew, 

John  Pool, 

MatthcAV  W.  Ransom, 

Charles  E.  Shober, 

Thomas  E.  Skinner, 

Robert  Hunter  Tate, 

AVilliam  S.  Trigg, 

Joseph  J.  W.  Tucker, 

Thomas  Webb, 

John  H.  Whitaker, 

Robert  H.  Winborne. 

1848. 
Alctor  Clay  Barringer, 
Geo.  T.  Baskerville, 
John  B.  Bynum, 
Richard  A.  Caldwell, 
John  W.  Cameron, 
John  Xavier  Campbell, 
Belficld  William  Cave, 
Oliver  H.  Dockery, 
Seaton  Gales, 
Bryan  Grimes,  Jr., 
Benjamin  S.  Guion, 
Thomas  H.  Holmes, 
Erasmus  A.  Roscoe  Hooker, 
James  J.  Iredell, 
William  A.  Jenkins, 
Peter  II.  McEachin, 
Willie  P.  Mangum,  Jr., 
Oliver  P.  Meares, 
James  N.  Montgomery, 
Hardy  INIurfree, 
Hazell  Norwood, 
Lorenzo  Dow  Pender, 
Thomas  P.  Person, 
Nathan  A.  Ramsey, 
John  K.  Strange, 
Rufus  S.  Tucker, 
George  Washington, 
John  Wilson, 


128 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Robert  W.  Wilson. 

1849. 
Thomas  M.  Arrington, 
John  Troup  Banks, 
Kemp  P.  Battle, 
Benjamin  Yancey  Beene, 
Ephraim  Joseph  Brevard, 
James  Pettigrew  Bryan, 
John  II.  Corbett, 
Alexander  Cunningham, 
Johnson  M.  De  Berniere, 
AVilliam  A.  Dick, 
William  B.  Dortch, 
Henry  M.  Dusenbery, 
Fourney  George, 
Thomas  D.  Ilaigh, 
Peter  M.  Hale, 
William  E.  Hill, 
Peter  E.  Ilines, 
Samuel  T.  Iredell, 
James  M.  Johnson, 
John  M.  John^n, 
William  II.  Jones, 
Charles  E.  Lowther, 
Nathaniel  MoClaire, 
John  C.  McNair, 
Malcom  McXair, 
Edward  Mallet, 
William  0.  Pool, 
Thomas  J.  Kobinson, 
Isaac  B.  Sanders, 
James  P.  Scales, 
Charles  K.  Thomas, 
Daniel  T.  Towles, 
Bryan  W.  Whitfield, 
John  A.  Whitticld, 
Needham  B.  Whitfield, 
George  V.  Young. 

1850. 
Joel  C.  Blake, 
James  F.  Cane, 
Julius  X.  Caldwell, 
Alfred  II.  Carrigan, 
Edward  C.  Chambers, 
Julius  L.  Gorrel, 
Robert  A.  Ilairston, 
Henry  Hardie, 
Madison  Hawkins, 


John  Hill, 
Richard  Ilines, 
Benjamin  R.  Huske, 
William  II.  Johnston, 
Washington  C.  Kerr, 
John  Manning, 
James  R.  Mendenhall, 
Robert  H.  Langford, 
Thomas  Settle,  Jr., 
Joseph  W.  Small, 
Robert  L.  Smith, 
Samuel  E.  Whitfield, 
Richard  H.  AVhitfield, 
Wm.  J.  White. 

1851.  , 

Charles  E.  Bellamy, 
Joseph  Bonner  Bryan, 
David  Miller  Carter, 
Watkins  Leigh  Claiborne, 
Thos.  Addis  Emmett  Evans, 
Bartholomew  Fuller, 
Thos.  Miles  Garrett, 
Richard  Swepson  Grant, 
Julius  Guion, 
Benj.  Sherwood  Iledrick, 
Samuel  Ashe  Holmes, 
iEgidius  Leitch, 
Jesse  Harper  Lindsay, 
Malcome  McDuffie, 
Neill  McKay,  Jr., 
Thos.  T.  Norcom, 
Rufus  Lenoir  Patterson, 
Jas.  Alfred  Patton, 
Wm.  Marshall  Richardson, 
EthL'ldred  Kuflin, 
Claudius  Brock  Sanders, 
Joseph  James  Seawell, 
Francis  E.  Shober, 
Peter  Evans  Smith, 
Charles  Cornelius  Terry, 
Frederick  Armand  Toomer, 
Lowndes  Treadwell, 
John  Waddill,  Jr., 
James  Augustus  Washington. 
George  Washington  Watson, 
John  Thomas  Wheat,  Jr., 
Wilson  Cary  Whitaker, 
Edmund  Webb  Wilkina, 
John  Lewis  Woostcr. 


ORDER  OF  EXERCISES  AT  THE  COMMENCExMENT,  JUNE,  1851. 

1.  Salutatory  Oration  in  Latin. 

CLAUDirs  B.  Sanders, 
,  Johnston. 

2.  Oration.     "  Early  History  of  North  Carolina.'' 

Bartholomew  Fuller, 

Fayettevilk. 

3.  Oration.     "  Party  Spirit." 

Taos.  Addis  Emmett  Evans, 

CuinbcrlaniL 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  129 

4.  Oration.     "  The  Infirmities  of  Men  of  Genius." 

Julius  Guiox, 

Raleigh. 

5.  Oration.     "  A  Graduate's  Aspirations." 

William  Marshall  Richardson, 

Anson. 

6.  Oration.     "Virtue  alone  makes  Men  Free." 

Tnos.  Miles  Garrett, 

Colerain. 

7.  Oration.     "Religious  Tests  of  Office,  unjust  and  impolitic  in  a  Repub- 

lic." 

David  Miller  Carter, 

Ilijde. 

8.  Oration.     "Excelsior." 

Lowndes  Treadwell, 

Lamar,  Miss. 

9.  Oration.     "Socialism." 

Jesse  Harper  Lindsay, 

Greensborough. 


AFTERNOON. 

1.  Oration.     "  Influence  of  Public  Opinion." 

Leigh  Claiborne, 

Tipton,  Tcnn. 

2.  Oration.     "The  late  Crisis  in  our  National  Affairs." 

Frederick  Armand  Toomer, 

Pittsborough. 

3.  Oration.     "The  noblest  ipotive  is  the  Public  Good." 

Charles  Cornelius  Terry, 

liichmond. 

4.  Oration.     "  Flora  Macdonald." 

Malcolm  James  McDuffie, 

Cumberland. 

5.  Annual  Report. 

6.  A  Valedictory  Oration. 

James  Alfred  Patton, 

Asheville. 


Davidson  College  is  located  in  Mecklenburg  County,  and  so 
called  in  honor  of  General  William  Davidson,  who  fell  in  the  battles 
of  his  country,  on  the  banks  of  the  Catawba,  on  the  1st  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1781.  It  was  opened  in  March,  1837,  Rev.  R.  H.  Mor- 
rison, D.  D.,  as  President,  and  P.  S.  Sparrow,  as  Professor  of 
Languages.  It  first  operated  as  a  Manual  Labor  Institution,  but 
after  four  years'  trial  this  system  was  abandoned. 

In  1838  it  was  chartered  by  the  Legislature. 

By  its  constitution,  no  one  is  eligible  as  trustee,  professor,  or 
teacher,  but  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

Dr.  Morrison,  from  ill  health,  was  compelled  to  resign  his  trust, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Samuel  Williamson.     He  is  now  pastor 
of  Unity  and  Machpelah  churches,  in  Lincoln  County.     As  a  man, 
and  as  a  divine,  he  has  few  equals,  but  no  superiors. 
9 


130 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Mr.  Sparrow  was  for  a  period  aftei-wards  President  of  Ilampdeii 
Sidney  College,  in  Virginia,  and  now  resides  in  Alabama,  and  is 
distinguished  for  his  learning,  piety,  and  eloquence. 

Its  present  faculty  are, 

Rev.  Samuel  Williamson,  D.  D.,  President,  and  Professor  of 
Chemistry,  Mental  and  Moral  Philosophy,  and  Rhetoric. 

Rev.  Samuel  B.  0.  Wilson,  Professor  of  Languages. 

Mortimer  M.  Johnson,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  Mathematics,  and 
Natural  Philosophy. 

Rev.  E.  F.  Rockwell,  Professor  of  Philosophy. 

THE  SOCIETIES,  LIBRARIES,  ETC. 

t 

The  Literary  Societies  of  the  students  are  known  to  be  under 
good  regulations  and  highly  favorable  to  the  promotion  of  intellect- 
ual improvement. 

The  Libraries  number  over  a  thousand  volumes  each,  and  receive 
additions  every  session,  which,  in  connection  with  the  College  Li- 
brary, afford  to  the  Students  an  opportunity  of  extensive  reading. 

ALUMNI. 


GRADUATED  IS  1840. 

A.  M.  Bogle, 

James  R.  Baird, 

Wilkes  T.  Caston, 

Wm.  S.  M.  Davidson, 

R.  F.  Johnston, 

E.  C.  Davidson, 

Thos.  F.  King, 

R.  N.  Davis, 

Thos.  M.  Kirkpatrick, 

Wm.  Flinn, 

M.  L.  McCorklr, 

Thos.  I).  Houston, 

John  M.  Sample, 

"Wui.  II.  .Johnston, 

Wm.  T.  Savage, 

.James  Knox, 

J.  Robinson  Shive, 

11.  II.  Kimmons, 

R.  0.  P.  Stewart, 

0.  D.  McNeely, 

W.-L.  Torrence. 

Arch'd  JS'cely. 

GRADUATED  Vi  1844. 

ORADCATED  IX  1S41. 

W'.  L.  Anderso'n, 

Sam'l  L.  Adams, 

J.  M.  Baker, 

Cyrus  K.  Caldwell, 

A.  L.  Crawford, 

W.  P.  Caldwell, 

S.  C.  Caldwell, 

T.  E.  Davis, 

J.  M.  Doby, 

R.  W.  Martin, 

W.  A.  Moore, 

Wm.  II.  Moore, 

J.  L.  Porter, 

James  S.  C.  Moore, 

R.  B.  Price, 

M.  C.  McNair, 

J.  P.  Rosseau, 

Samuel  C.  Pharr, 

J.  A.  Stewart, 

James  G.  Ramsev, 

J.  II.  Stewart. 

R.  E.  Sherrill,     ' 

Daniel  B.  Wood. 

GRADUATED  IN  184-3. 

J.  J.  Bossard, 

GRADUATED  IN'  1842. 

A.  E.  Chandler, 

n.  C.  Alexander, 

J.  M.  Davidson, 

II.  W.  Black, 

J.  G.  A.  Dick, 

Wm.  P.  Bvnum, 

J.  A.  Fox, 

T.  C.  Crawford, 

J.  M.  Gill, 

W.  L.  Davidson, 

J.  II.  Houston, 

II.  B.  Johnson, 

S.  N.  Hutchison, 

T.  A.  Krider, 

E.  N.  Hutchison, 

II.  R.  McLean. 

M.  Lingle, 

J.  B.  McCallum, 

GRADUATED  IN  1843. 

J.  N.  McXeely, 

J.  F.  Allison, 

H.  McNeil, 

HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  131 

W.  M.  Peacock,  J.  M.  "Walker, 

J.  n.  White.  A.  White, 

II.  II.  Wilson. 

GRADUATED  IN  1846. 

E.  C.  Alexander,  graduated  in  1848. 

W.  J.  Cooper,  S.  C.  Alexander, 

J.  L.  Gaither,  R.  R.  Barr, 

W.  B.  Henderson,  S.  W.  Davis, 

A.  I.  McKni^ht,  J.  R.  Gillespie, 

Wm.  McNeill,  J.  M.  Henderson, 

J.  W.  McKae,  J.  F.  Houston, 

P.  T.  Peniek,  A.  A.  James, 

W.  II.  Sin-Ietarv,  B.  F.  Little, 

J.  A.  Williamson,  J.  L.  Miller, 

S.  Z.  Williamson.  G.  D.  Parks, 

B.  C.  Powell, 

GRADUATED  IN  1847.  A.  M.  Watson. 
J.  S.  Barr, 

W.  C.  Barr,  graduated  in  1840. 

J.  T.  K.  Bolk,  J.  N.  Dinkins, 

W.  Black,  James  Douglass, 

T.  F.  Chambers,  A.  M.  Erwin, 

A.  Enlne,  T.  W.  Erwin, 

R.  K.  Kinp;,  R.  H.  Johnston, 

P.  B.  .MrLaurin,  S.  M.  ISIcDowcll, 

E.  R.  Mills,  W.  S.  Moore, 

S.  K.  Pharr,  S,  R.  Spann. 
E.  C.  Stewart, 

Its  location  is  salubrious,  removed  from  the  allurements  of  \dce, 
and  amid  a  population  iml^ued  with  the  tenets  of  the  church  under 
whose  auspices  it  is  established,  and  in  a  fertile  region,  its  useful- 
ness and  influence  will  doubtless  be  most  happy  in  our  State. 

WAKE    FOREST   COLLEGE. 
MEMBERS  OF  TUE  FACULTY. 

Rev.  Joiix  B.  Wjiite,  President,  and  Professor  of  Mathematics 
and  Natural  Philosophy. 

William  II.  Owen,  A.M.,  Professor  of  Greek,  Latin,  and 
French. 

Rev.  William  T.  Brookes,  A.  M.,  Adjunct  Professor  of  Lan- 
guaf^es,  and  Teacher  in  the  Academical  Department. 

William  T.  Walters,  A.B.,  Tutor  in  Mathematics. 

Benjamin  W.  Justice,  A.  B.,  Tutor  in  Natural  Science. 

Rev.  James  S.  Purify,  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and 
General  Agent. 

BOARD  OF  trustees. 

Rev.  Samuel  Wait,   D.  D.,  Presi-    G.  C.  Moore,  M.  D. 

dent  of  the  Board.  Samuel  J.  W^heeler,  M.  D. 

Hon.  Alfred  Duckcry.  George  W.  Thompson,  Esq. 

Rev.  John  Purify.  William  M.  Crenshaw,  M.  D. 

Charles  W.  Skinner,  Esq.  Hon.  Thomas  Settle. 

Rev.  David  S.  Williams.  Nathaniel  J.  Palmer,  Esq. 

Rev.  Georpe  M.  Thompson.  Rev.  George  W.  Purify. 

David  Justice,  Eeq.  George  W.  Jones,  Esq. 


132  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Jdhn  Kerr,  Esfj.  R.  W.  Lawson,  Esq. 

Rev.  J.  J.  James.  Sidney  S.  Lea,  Esq. 

Kev.  James  McDaniel.  11.  Hester,  Esq. 

II(in.  Calvin  Graves.  Hon.  William  A.  Graham. 

Kev.  William  Jones.  llhodes  X,  Ilerndon,  Esq. 

George  R.  French,  Esq.  Henry  F.  Bond,  Esq. 

J.  J.  Riggs,  Esq.  Council  Wouten,  Esq. 

Kev.  James  S.  Purify.  John  Berry,  Esq. 

Samuel  S.  Biddle,  Esq.  Rev.  Elias  Dodson. 

Rov.  William  Hooner,  LL.D.  A.  Armstrong,  Esq. 
William  Russell,  Esq. 

We  have  been  furnished  with  but  little  information  respecting 
this  institution.  It  was  fomnlcd  by  the  Baptist  denomination  in 
1834,  as  an  Institute  or  Classical  Seminary,  and  such  was  its  pros- 
perity that  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  obtain  a  college  charter  in 
1838.  The  number  of  students  have  varied  annu;illy  from  75  to 
1-50.  It  has  had  a  most  hapjiy  inlluence  upon  the  denomination 
that  founded  it,  and  has  also  contributed  much  to  diffuse  a  lively 
interest  in  the  cau.se  of  education  throughout  the  State. 

The  father  and  foun<lor  of  this  institution  is  undoubtedly  the 
Rev.  Sa.miel  Wait,  D.l).,  who  was  its  first  President,  and  continued 
so  up  to  June,  1S4U.  The  Kev,  William  Hooper,  LL.D.,  was  his 
successor,  and  resigned  in  1848,  at  which  time  the  Rev,  John  R. 
White,  A.  >L,  who  had  for  twelve  years  occupied  the  rmfcssorship 
of  Mathi-matics  and  Natural  IMiihtsophy,  was  elected  President. 
The  institution  has  gradually  been  gaining  in  public  fav<>r.  i^  free 
from  debt,  and  has  the  prospect  of  u  speedy  endowment. 

There  are  two  literary  societies  connected  with  the  institution, 
with  beautiful  halls  and  excellent  libraries.  There  is  also  a  choice 
cabinet  of  minerals,  and  apparatus  fnr  illustrating  the  natural 
sciences. 

The  location  is  a  very  fortunate  one.  It  is  in  Wake  County, 
sixteen  miles  north  of  RaUigh,  and  immediately  upon  the  Raleigh 
and  Gaston  Railroad.  Its  distance  from  the  (listracting  influence 
of  towns  and  villages,  the  healthiness  of  the  surrounding  country, 
the  beauty  of  the  scenery,  and  the  elevated  character  of  the  in- 
habitants for  intelligence  and  jnorality,  make  it  a  fortunate  location 
for  a  great  literary  institution. 

There  are  many  other  institutions  in  the  State  devoted  to  education. 
The  Edgeworth  Institute,  and  Methodist  Female  Institute  at  Greens- 
boro'; the  Female  School  at  Salem,  under  the  Moravians;  Saint 
Mary's  School,  at  Raleigh,  under  the  care  of  Rev,  A,  Smedes;  the 
Chowan  Collegiate  Institute  at  Murfreesboro',  in  Ilertfnril  County, 
under  charge  of  Rev,  M.  R.  Forey  (Doctor  Godwin  C,  Moore  is 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees) ;  and  two  schools  at  Warren- 
ton,  one  under  care  of  Honorable  Daniel  Turner,  and  the  other 
under  Rev.  Mr.  Graves,  are  for  the  education  of  females  and  have 
done  great  service  to  the  country. 

We  regret  that  our  limits  do  not  allow  a  minute  account  or  ex- 
tended statement  of  their  establishment  or  their  value. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  133 

The  great  substratum  of  our  education  in  North  Carolina,  is  the 

COMMON  SCHOOLS. 

Judge  Reeves,  in  his  work  on  Domestic  Rchitions  (published 
1810),  states  that  during  an  extensive  pcactice  of  the  law  in  Con- 
necticut for  twenty  years,  he  had  met  only  two  persons  who  could 
not  read  and  write. 

Can  any  lawyer  of  our  State  say  the  same  ? 

Tlio  table  here  given  ])ro.<cnts  an  answer. 

Edtcation  in  the  United  States, — The  following  table,  col- 
lated by  the  Ttichmond  Cowpilrr,  presents  in  a  distinct  form,  a  very 
interestinj;  feature  <>f  the  various  information,  obtained  bv  means  of 
the  late  census  of  the  United  States.  It  exhibits  a  comparative 
view  (»f  the  number  of  wliite  persons  over  twenty  years  of  age,  in 
the  different  States,  who  cannot  read  or  write. 


Connecticut, 

in 

5CS 

Mississippi, 

in 

20 

Vermont, 

44 

473 

Delaware, 

4( 

18 

New  Hampshire, 

ti 

310 

Indiana, 

<1 

18 

Mfissachusotts, 

*  t 

100 

1  Soutii  Carolina, 

H 

17 

Maine, 

«< 

los 

Illinois, 

it 

17 

Michigan, 

4( 

'.17 

Mi.^souri, 

n 

1(3 

llhode  I»»l:inJ, 

•  ( 

G7 

Aiahama, 

<( 

15 

New  .Jersey, 

l( 

5S 

Kentucky, 

<< 

13.1 

New  York, 

1( 

56 

<ii'orgia. 

li 

13 

Pennsylvania, 

(i 

50 

Virginia, 

(( 

12^ 

<  >hio, 

it 

43 

Arkansas, 

<l 

Ui 

Louisiana, 

ii 

38J 

Tennessee, 

ii 

11 

Maryland, 

ti 

27 

North  Carolina, 

<( 

7 

The  humiliating  fact  is  here  presented,  that  in  point  of  education 
our  State  is  behind  all  the  Union,  and  one  in  every  sevoi  white 
persons  over  twenty  years  of  age,  cannot  read  or  write  ! 

This  fact  is  not  recorded  with  any  satisfaction.  "  More  in  sor- 
row than  in  anger,"  is  it  alluded  to.  Like  the  filial  piety  of  the 
sons  of  Noah,  would  we  rather  cover  the  mantle  of  oblivion  over 
her  degraded  position.  It  should  rouse  our  statesmen  and  our  peo- 
ple to  remove  the  opprobrium,  and  stand  in  education,  science,  and 
literature,  as  prominent  as  her  early  history  is  l»right  and  glorious. 
"With  this  lauilable  motive,  the  attention  of  the  citizens  of  the  State 
is  called  to  this  subject. 

It  is  not  to  be  denied  that  the  plan,  as  it  now  exists,  can  hardly  be 
worthy  of  the  name  of  a  system — without  a  head,  and  without  uni- 
formity of  action,  it  fails  to  produce  the  effects  beneficial  to  the 


rising  jreneration 


In  January,  1830,  the  General  Assembly  passed  an  act  dividing 
each  county  into  districts  not  more  than  six  miles  square,  for  the 
purpose  of  establishing  common  schools. 

At  the  next  session,  the  net  annual  income  of  the  literary  fund 
(exclusive  of  moneys  arising  from  the  swamp  lands)  was  appropriated 
to  be  distributed  according  to  federal  population.  The  literary 
fund  of  the  State  consists  of — 1 .  The  di\idcnds  from  the  bank  stock ; 


134  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

2.  Cape  Fear  Navigation  Company ;  3.  The  Roanoke  Na^^gation 
Company ;  4.  The  tax  on  retailers  of  spiritous  liquors,  tavern  tax, 
and  auctioneers  ;  5.  Vacant  lands ;  6.  All  sales  of  swamp  lands. 
The  county  courts  appoint  ten  superintendents  for  each  county, 
who  select  for  each  district  the  school  committee  men,  who  contract 
for  a  teacher,  visit  the  schools,  and  "  perform  all  such  duties  as 
may  be  necessary  to  the  successful  operation  of  said  schools."  The 
teachers  of  said  schools  to  be  exempt  from  working  roads,  military 
duties,  or  servinu  on  iuries  while  engaged  in  said  schools. 

By  act  of  1840,  the  board  of  superintendents  appoint  the  three 
school  committee  men ;  and  the  court  authorized  to  appoint  on  re- 
commendation of  the  board  of  superintendents  "  some  suitable  and 
competent  person  to  ^^sit  once  a  year  each  and  every  school  district, 
to  examine  the  condition  of  the  schools  and  report  the  same. 

About  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  a  year  is  appropriated  by  the 
Literary  Board,  which  is  distributed  to  each  county,  to  the  Chair- 
man of  the  Board,  and  by  him  paid  to  each  teacher. 

That  this  plan  contains  the  germ  of  immense  usefulness,  is  true. 
The  defects  to  be  remedied,  and  the  system  perfected,  have  engaged 
the  attention  of  the  General  Assembly.  The  patriotic  efforts  of 
the  Hon.  Wm.  B.  Shepard;  Mr.  Wiley,  of  Guilford;  Samuel  J. 
Person,  of  Moore ;  Mr.  Barnes,  of  Northampton ;  and  others  in  the 
last  legislature,  will,  we  trust,  be  appreciated  and  crowned  with 
success. 

Present  Literary  Board — Wesley  JoNf:s,  Wake  County;  W.  W. 
IIOLTTX.  Raleigh;  II.  G.  Spruill,  Washington  County. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Banks  of  North  Carolina — Railroads — Canals — Turnpike  and  plank  roads — 
Institution  for  Deaf  and  Dumb — State  Hospital  for  Insane. 

1.  Bank  of  Cape  Fear  was  incorporated  in  1804,  with  a  capital  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  The  Mother  Bank  is  located  at  Wil- 
mington. Charter  was  continued,  and  capital  increased  by  various  enact- 
ments to  one  million  and  a  half.  The  act  of  1850  further  increased  its  capital 
five  thousand  shares.  Charter  expires  Jan.  1,  18G0.  The  State  owns  5,322 
shares  of  stock. 

OFFICERS,  BRANCOES,  AXD  AGENCIES. 

Principal  Bank  at  Wilmington. — Thomas  II.  Wright,  President ;  Henry  R. 

Savage,  Cashier ;  -J.  D.  Gardner,  Teller  ;  McLaurin,  Ass't  Teller ;  J.  A. 

Bradley,  Book-keeper ;  T.  H.  Hardin,  Clerk. 

Branch  at  Washington. — John  Myers,  President;  Benj.  Runyon,  Cashier; 
T.  II.  Hardenbergh,  Teller. 

Branch  at  Salisbury. — D.  A.  Davis,  Cashier. 

Branch  at  Salcm. — .J.  G.  Lash,  Cashier. 

Branch  at  FayetteviUe. — Charles  T.  Ilaigh,  President ;  John  W.  Wright, 
Cashier;  W.  J.  Anderson,  Teller;  Joshua  Carman,  Clerk;  Alexander  Mc- 
Lean, Clerk. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTU  CAROLINA.  135 

Branch  at  Fakir/Jt.—W.  II.  Jones,  Cashier ;  F.  C.  Hill,  Clerk. 
Branch  at  AsheciUe. — J.  F.  E.  Ilardy,  Cashier. 
Branch  at  Greensboro' . — Jesse  II.  Lindsay,  Cashier. 

2.  Bank  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  incorporated  in  1833.  Raleigh. 
Capital,  one  million  five  hundred  thousand  dollars,  of  which  the  State  owns 
five  thousand  shares. 

OFFICERS,  BRANCHES,  AND  AGENCIES. 

Principal  Banh  at  Iialci'/Jt. — George  W.  Mordecai,  President;  C.  Dewey, 
Cashier;  S.  W.  Whiting,  Teller;  D.  Du  rr6,  Book-keeper;  T.  W.  Dewey, 
Clerk. 

Fai/ettcvilh  Branch. -~C.  P.  Mallett,  President;  I.  Wetmore,  Cashier;  W. 
"Warden,  Teller;  ^V.  Iluske,  Clerk. 

Witminijton  Branch. — E.  P.  Hall,  President;  W.  E.  Anderson,  Cashier; 
William  Keston,  Teller;  J.  J.  Lippitt,  Clerk, 

Kewberu  Branch. — George  S.  Attmore,  President;  J.  M.  Koberts,  Cashier; 
H.  C.  Lucas,  Teller. 

Tarhorough  Branch. — James  WeddcU,  President;  P.  P.  Lawrence,  Cashier; 
R.  Chapman,  Teller. 

Elizabeth  Citij  Branch. — W.  B.  Shepard,  President;  J.  C.  Ehrin'i'hauH, 
Cashier ;  W.  C.  Butler,  Teller. 

Branch  at  Charlotte. — John  Irvin,  President;  W.  A.  Lucas,  Cashier ;  W. 
A.  Williams,  Clerk. 

Morganton  Branch. — Bobcrt  C.  Pearson,  President;  Isaac  T.  Avery,  Cashier. 

Milton  Branch. — Samuel  Watkins,  President;  W.  R.  Ilill,  Cashier. 

3.  Merchants'  Bank  of  Xewbern,  incorporated  in  1834,  with  a  capital  of 
three  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

Charles  Slovcr,  President ;  W.  W.  Clark,  Cashier ;  Joseph  Fulford,  Teller. 

4.  Cohmercial  Bank  at  Wilmington,  incorporated  in  1847,  with  a  capital 
of  three  hundred  thousand  dollars.    Increased  in  1850,  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

0.  G.  Parsley,  President ;  Timotliy  Savage,  Jr.,  Cashier ;  John  McRae, 
Teller. 

5.  Bank  of  Fayettevii.le,  incorporated  January,  1849,  with  a  capital  of 
eight  hundred  thousand  dollars. 

John  D.  Starr,  President;  W.  J.  Broadfoot,  Cashier;  Ilarvey  Leite,  Teller. 

6.  Bank  of  Washington,  Beaufort  County,  incorporated  in  1850,  with  a 
capital  of  four  hundred  thousand  dollars.     Charter  expires  in  1877. 

James  E.  Iloyt,  President ;  Martin  Stevenson,  Cashier. 

7.  Bank  of  Wadesdoro',  Anson  County,  incorporated  in  1850,  with  a  capi- 
tal of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars.     Charter  expires  in  1880. 

W.  R.  Leak,  President ;  U.  B.  Hammond,  Cashier. 


INTERNAL  IMPROVEMENTS  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

In  1825,  a  Board  of  Internal  Improvements  was  established,  and 
the  funds  arising  from  the  sales  of  Cherokee  lands  and  dividends 
from  stock  owned  by  the  State  in  the  Bank  of  Cape  Fear,  set  apart 
as  the  fund.    (See  Ke\-ised  Statutes,  p.  347.) 

Present  Internal  Improvement  Board — Calvin  Graves,  of  Cas- 
well ;  Thomas  Bragg,  of  Northampton. 

1.  The  Dismal  Swamp  Canal,  uniting  the  waters  of  Pasquotank 
and  Elizabeth  Rivers  in  Virginia,  was  incorporated  in  1790. 

2.  Cape  Fear  Navigation  Company,  incorporated  in  1796,  to  im- 
prove the  navigation  of  the  Cape  Fear  River,  from  Averysborough  to 
the  confluence  of  the  Deep  and  Haw  Rivers,  the  sum  of  §100,000, 


136  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

to  be  subscribed  in  shares  of  one  hundred  dollars  each ;  the  State 
subscribed  six  hundred  and  fifty  shares  of  stock. 

3.  Roanoake  Navigation  Company,  incorporated  in  1812,  improv- 
ing the  navigation  from  Halifax  to  the  Yu-ginia  line.  The  State 
owns  $50,000  in  the  stock  of  this  Company. 

4.  The  Clubfoot  and  Harlow  Creek  Canal  was  incorporated  in 
1826 ;  in  which  the  State  holds  thirty  shares. 

5.  The  Cape  Fear  and  Deep  Kiver  Navigation  Company  was  in- 
corporated in  1849,  in  which  the  State  subscribed  $40,000. 

6.  Neuse  River  Navigation  Company,  incorporated  in  1850. 
State  subscribes  $40,000. 

1.  The  Raleigh  and  Gaston  Railroad,  from  Raleigh  to  Gaston,  on 
Roanoke  River,  was  incorporated  in  1835.  This  road  was  finished 
July  4th,  1839,  at  a  cost  of  about  $1,600,000.  The  State  endorsed 
the  bonds  of  this  road  in  1838,  to  the  amount  of  $500,000 ;  and  in 
1840,  $300,000 ;  for  which  she  is  liable,  and  has  already  in  part 
paid  ;  the  road  being  mortgaged  to  save  the  State  harmless,  has  been 
sold  under  the  mortgage,  and  has  been  purchased  by  the  State. 

George  W,  Mordecai,  President. 

2.  The  Raleigh  and  Wilmington  Railroad,  from  the  Roanoke 
River  to  AVilmington,  was  incorporated  in  1833.  The  Company  was 
organized  in  ^larch,  1836.  This  work  was  commenced  in  Oct., 
1836,  and  finished  in  March,  1840,  at  a  cost  of  $1,500,000.  Six 
hundred  thousand  were  subscribed  in  the  stock  by  the  State ;  and  by 
act  of  1840,  the  State  endorsed  the  bonds  of  this  Company  for 
$300,000,  a  part  of  which  she  has  paid.  The  repairs  of  the  road 
in  1850,  increased  the  cost  to  another  million.  Gen.  McRae,  Pre- 
sident. 

3.  The  North  Carolina  Railroad,  from  the  "Wilmington  and  Ra- 
leigh Railroad  in  Wayne  County,  to  Charlotte,  was  incorporated  in 
184b,  in  which,  on  $1,000,000  being  subscribed  by  individual  sub- 
scribers, $2,000,000  is  to  be  subscribed  by  the  State.  This  road 
is  now  in  progress.     Hon.  J.  M.  Morehead,  President. 

1.  Buncombe  Turnpike,  from  the  Saluda  Gap  by  way  of  Asheville 
to  the  Tennessee  line,  was  incorporated  in  1824 ;  capital  stock  to 
be  $30,000  in  shares  of  fifty  dollars  each;  the  State  owns  one  hun- 
dred shares.  '  The  Company  was  organized  in  1826 ;  the  first  toll- 
gate  was  erected  in  Oct.,  1827. 

2.  The  Fayetteville  and  Western  Plank  Road,  from  Fayetteville  to 
Salisbury,  was  incorporated  in  1848.  Stock,  $200,000,  in  shares 
of  fifty  dollars  each.    State  subscribes  one-fifth. 

3.  The  Turnpike  Road,  from  Salisbury  west  to  the  Georgia  line, 
was  incorporated  in  1848,  and  the  lands  in  the  State,  in  Cherokee, 
Macon,  and  Haywood,  as  Avell  as  the  Cherokee  bonds,  are  pledged 
to  make  the  same. 

Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  was  created,  by  act  of  184 
in  the  City  of  Raleigh,  and  the  sum  of  $30,000  was  appropriated 
It  is  a  beautiful  building,  and  under  the  care  of  William  D.  Cooke, 
as  Principal,  and  a  Board  of  Directors  consisting  of  Perrin  Busbee, 


<, 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  137 

Linn  B.  Sanders,  Jolin  II.  Bryan,  Thomas  J.  Lemay,  W  W. 
HoMen,  James  F.  Jordan,  and  Dr.  Charles  E.  Johnson  It  has 
twenty-seven  pupils,  wlio  are  employed  in  acqiurnig  kno.yledge  and 
the  mechanic  arts.  They  have  a  printing  press,  and  publish  weekly 
a  newspaper,  called  the  Deaf  Mute.  The  annual  expense  of  each 
pupil  is  about  one  hundred  and  eighty-three  dollars,  ihc  Prmcipal 
has  a  salary  of  twelve  hundred  dollars. 

A  Comniittee  of  the  last  Legislature  reported  (through  its  chair- 
man, J.  II.  Ilaughton)  that  "  after  a  very  strict  and  careful  inves- 
tigation of  the  afiairs  of  the  institution,  they  are  fully  impressed 
with  the  belief,  that  it  has  been  managed  with  economy,  judgment, 
and  fidelity,  by  the  Board  of  Directors,  and  they  have  every  reason 
to  believe  that  under  their  administration,  judging  from  the  past, 
the  institution  will  flourish,  and  will  be  the  means  of  untold  bless- 
in-^  to  that  unfortunate  class  of  our  population  for  whose  beneht  it 
was  established;  and  they  hope  that  the  institution  may  long  re- 
main as  a  monument  of  the  wisdom  and  munificence  of  the  Legis- 
lature of  North  Carolina."  ^  1QiO  or,.l 

St\tf  IIo<i'it\l  for  the  Insane  was  incorporated  in  1»4J,  ana 
JoIh/m.  Morehea.l,  Calvin  Graves,  George  W.  Mordecai,  Charles 
L  Ilinton,  and  Josiah  0.  Watson,  appointed  commissioners  to  pur- 
chase and  select  a  site  for  the  same.  The  commissioners  have 
selected  "  Dix's  Hill,"  near  Raleigh,  and  a  tax  of  one  and  three- 
fourths  of  a  cent  is  levied  on  every  hundred  dollars  worth  ot  land 
and  five  and  one-quarter  of  a  cent  on  every  poll,  to  sustain  saia 
Institute. 


CHAPTER    X. 

Resources  of  the  State,  her  liabilities,  and  her  expenses. 

The  Public  Treasury  of  North  Carolina  is  divided  into— 

I.  Public  Fund. 

II.  Literary  Fund. 

The  public  fund  is  supplied— 

I  From  taxes  collected  by  the  sheriffs  annually  from  the 
people,  and  paid  into  the  treasury,  which  is  levied  on  land  and  town 
property,  poll  (white  and  black),  money  at  interest,  dividends  and 
profits,  stires,  carriages,  watches,  and  other  property,  bank  tax 
ittorn^ys,  licenses,  di^ddends  of  Buncombe  Tm-npike  Company,  and 
some  other  sources,  which  amounted  last  year  to  ^l<y,<oo. 

The  literary  fund  is  supplied—  ,      ,    •    ^,     o,,.,  ,^^f.. 

II.  By  the  sales  of  vacant  and  swamp  lands  m  the  fetate,  taxes 
on  taverns,  dividends  on  stock  held  by  the  State  in  the  -Bank  of  ^^ 
State  and  Bank  of  Cape  Fear,  dividends  on  the  stock  held  by  the 


138  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

State  in  the  Roanoake  Navigation  Company,  and  in  the  Cape 
Fear  Navigation  Company,  tax  on  auctioneers,  interest  on  bonds 
held  by  the  board ;  which  amounted  last  year  to  $112,316. 

THE  ANNUAL  EXPENSES  OP  THE  STATE. 

From  the  public  fund  for  judiciary  about  .         .         .  $30,000  00 

Legislatui'e     ........  45,000  00 

Executive 10,000  00 

Principal  and  interest  on  bonds  of  Raleigh  and  Gaston 

Railroad  endorsed  by  the  State     ....  70,000  00 

And  other  demands  which  amounted  last  year  (1850)  to  228,173  00 
The  expenses  paid  from  literary  fund  are,  for  common 

schools        ........  107,339  00 

LIABILITIES  or  THE  STATE. 

For  Raleigh  and  Gaston  Railroad          .         .         .  $500,000  00 

For              do             do        do              ...  106,000  00 

State  Bonds 200,000  00 

State  Bonds  for  Fayetteville  and  "Western  Tm-n- 

pike  Company 120,000  00 

State  Bonds  for  Neuse  and  Tar  Rivers           .         .  65,000  00 

State  Bonds  for  Cape  Fear  and  Deep  Rivers          .  80,000  00 

State  Bonds  for  North  Carolina  Railroad       .         .  2,000,000  00 


$3,071,000  00 

Here  end  the  Second  Series  of  these  Sketches,  and  the  first 
volume. 


END  OF  VOL.  I. 


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'mcCKkM.  Dec. or  indsp": 

WIATT     171) 


Location,  Origin,  and  D  ate 
ofBfcction  of  every  Counly 

.aTtorth  Cataliita, 

for  Sketches  of  No/Cel 
byJ.HWheeler.  1851. 


HISTOEICAL   SKETCHES 


OF 


NORTH    CAROLINA 


From  1584  to  1851. 


COMPILED  FROM  ORIGIN^AL  RECORDS,  OFFICIAL  DOCUMENTS, 
AND  TRADITIONAL  STATEMENTS. 


WITH 


BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  OF  HER  DISTINGUISHED 

STATESMEN,  JURISTS,  LAWYERS,  SOLDIERS, 

DIVINES,  ETC. 


BY 


JOHN  H.  WHEELER, 

LATE  TEEASXTREK  OF  THE  STATE. 


"Truth  is  stranger  than  Fiction." 


ILLUSTRATED    WITH    ENGRAVING-S. 


VOL.  IL 


PHILADELPHIA: 
LIPPINCOTT,    GRAM  BO    AND    CO. 

SUCCESSORS   TO    GRIGG,    ELLIOT   AND    CO. 

1851. 


EXPLANATION  OF  THE  MAP. 


Ox  the  dissolution  of  the  Proprietary  Government  in  1729,  the  Province  of 
North  Carolina  was  divided  into  three  Counties  : — 

1.  Albemarle. 

2.  Bath. 

3.  Clarendon. 

From  these  three  branches  spring  all  the  Counties  of  the  State.  See 
Sketches,  vol.  i.  42. 

All  of  these  (Albemarle,  Bath  and  Clarendon)  exist  only  by  name,  the 
territory  having  been  divided,  and  are  only  used,  as  are  also  Bute,  Dobbs, 
Tryon  and  Glasgow  (marked  thus  *)  to  show  the  branches  from  whence 
other  counties  have  sprung. 

To  find  a  County,  its  formation  and  derivation,  is  not  difficult.  Wake,  for 
instance,  is  a  centre  County,  formed  in  1770  from  Cumberland,  Orange  and 
Johnston.     Revised  Statutes,  vol.  ii.  165. 

Lincoln  County,  formed  in  1779  from  Tryon  (see  Revised  Statutes),  which 
in  that  year  was  divided  into  Lincoln  and  Rutherford ;  Tryon  erected  in 
1768  from  Mecklenburg  ;  Mecklenburg  in  1762  from  Anson  ;  Anson  in  1749 
from  Bladen ;  Bladen  in  1734  from  New  Hanover ;  New  Hanover  in  1729 
from  Clarendon,   .  All  of  which  is  plainly  visible  in  the  delineation. 

Guilford  County  was  formed  in  1770,  from  Orange  and  Rowan  ;  but  as 
Orange  was  from  a  different  stock  than  Rowan,  it  could  not  be  delineated  on 
the  plan  of  the  tree.     This  must  be  borne  in  mind. 

The  engraver  has  omitted  in  some  of  the  engravings  to  letter  the  branch 
Caswell,  springing  from  Orange  and  Person,  which  springs  from  Caswell, 
which  the  reader  will  supply. 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


^.^-CARo^^, 


The  above  is  the  Coat  of  Arms  of  North  Carolina,  as  exhibited  on  the 
Great  Seal  of  State. 

In  December,  1776,  William  Hooper,  Joseph  Hewes,  and  Thomas  Burke, 
were  appointed  to  prepare  "a  suitable  device  for  the  Great  Seal  of  the  State 
of  North  Carolina." 

It  is  emblematic,  and  represents  Liberty  and  Plenty. 

Liberty  holds  in  her  left  hand  the  Constitution,  and  in  her  right  a  staflf 
surmounted  by  the  cap  of  Liberty,  indicating  that  her  liberties  are  safe  and 
secured  by  the  Constitution. 

Plenty  holds  in  her  right  hand  an  ear  of  grain,  and  at  her  le^  the  cornu- 
copia3  is  seen,  from  vrhich  pour  forth  the  rich  fruits  of  the  earth ;  both  indi- 
cating that  North  Carolina  is  a  land  of  liberty  guided  by  lavr,  and  abundant 
in  products  to  sustain  life. 


COUNTIES  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA, 


In  1728,  the  precincts  of  North  Carolina  were  Currituck,  Pasquotank,  Per- 
quimans, Chowan,  Craven,  Beaufort,  Bertie,  Hyde,  and  Carteret.* 
In  1729,  Tyrrcl  and  New  Hanover. 
In  1731,  Onslow  and  Bladen. 
In  1738,  the  precincts  were  denominated  counties.f 


Chapter  I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 

X. 

XI. 

XII. 

XIII. 

XIV. 

XV. 

XVI« 

XVII. 

XVIII. 

XIX. 

XX. 

XXI. 

XXII. 

XXIII. 

XXIV. 

XXV. 

XXVI. 

XXVII. 

XXVIII. 

XXIX. 

XXX. 

XXXI. 

XXXII. 

XXXIII. 

XXXIV. 

XXXV. 

XXXVI. 

XXXVII. 

XXXVIII. 

XXXVIX. 

XL. 

XLI. 


Alamance  - 

Alexander 

Anson 

Ashe 

Beaufort 

Bertie 

Bladen 

Brunswick 

Buncombe 

Burke 

Cabarrus     - 

Caldwell     - 

Camden 

Carteret 

Caswell 

Catawba 

Chatham 

Cherokee    - 

Chowan 

Cleaveland 

Columbus   - 

Craven 

Cumberland 

Currituck    - 

Davidson     - 

Davie 

Duplin 

Edgecombe 

Forsjthe 

Franklin 

Gaston 

Gates 

Granville 

Greene 

Guilford 

Halifax 

Haywood    - 

Henderson 

Hertford 

Hyde 

Iredell 


*  Williamson,  vol.  ii.  page  246. 


AGE 

10 

Chap.  XLII.  Jackson 

PAGE 

218 

20 

XLIII.  Johnston 

219 

21 

XLIV.  Jones       - 

221 

26 

XLV.  Lenoir     - 

223 

28 

XLVI.  Lincoln   - 

225 

30 

XLVII.  MacDowell      - 

249 

35 

XLVIII.  Macon     - 

250 

45 

XLIX.  Madison 

251 

51 

L.  Martin     - 

251 

55 
63 

69 

LI.  Mecklenburg  - 
LII^  Montgomery  - 
LIII.  Moore     - 

254 
270 
272 

70 

LIV.  Nash       - 

274 

72 

LV.  New  Hanover 

276 

77 
82 

LVI.  Northampton 
LVII.  Onslow    - 

295 
298 

83 

LVIII.  Orange   - 

300 

87 
88 

LIX.  Pasquotank     - 
LX.  Perquimans     - 

339 
341 

97 

LXI.  Person    - 

343 

108 

LXII.  Pitt 

345 

109 
124 

LXIII.  Kandolph 
LXIV.  Richmond 

348 
350 

132 

LXV.  Robeson 

352 

136 

LXVI.  Rockingham   - 

354 

137 

LXVII.  Rowan 

356 

138 

LXVIII.  Rutherford      - 

399 

141 
147 
149 

LXIX.  Sampson 
LXX.  Stanly     - 
LXXI.  Stokes     - 

401 
403 
403 

151 

LXXII.  Surry      - 

408 

159 

LXXIII.  Tyrrell    - 

411 

161 

LXXIV.  Union      - 

414 

167 

LXXV.  Wake      - 

414 

169 

LXXVI.  Warren 

423 

184 
204 
207 
207 

LXXVII.  Washington    - 
LXXVIII.  Watauga 
LXXIX.  Wayne 
LXXX.  Wilkes 

442 
444 
454 
461 

212 

LXXXI.  Yadkin 

467 

214 

LXXXII.  Yancey 

t  Martin,  ii.  27. 

467 

SERIES    III. 


The  State  ■  of  North  Carolina  is  situated  between  33°  53^,  and 
36°  33"  north  latitude,  and  1°  28'  east,  and  6°  50'  west  longitude. 

It  is  so  called  in  honor  of  Charles  II.,  who  granted  the  charter 
to  the  Duke  of  Albemarle  and  others. 

It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  State  of  Virginia,  east  by  the 
Atlantic,  south  by  South  Carolina,  and  west  by  Tennessee.  Its 
mean  length  is  about  362  miles.  Its  mean  breadth  is  121  miles. 
Its  area  is  43,800  square  miles,  or  28,032,000  acres. 

It  was  the  first  State  in  which  the  English  landed  (1584),  and 
the  first  State  whose  citizens  threw  off  the  English  yoke  (1775). 

Its  shape  is  irregular.  Its  northern  line  (36°33')  is  straight 
from  east  to  west.  Its  eastern  boundary  irregular  by  the  indent- 
ures and  curvatures  of  the  Atlantic.  Its  southern  line  still  more 
irregular,  as  is  also  its  western  line,  by  the  course  of  the  Blue 
Ridge. 

The  State  is  divided  into  eighty-two  counties,  the  names  of 
which  are  exhibited  in  the  following  table,  with  the  sections  of  the 
State  in  which  they  are  situated,  the  date  of  their  formation,  the 
capital  or  county  town,  distance  from  Raleigh  (the  seat  of  govern- 
ment), and  the  population  of  each  in  federal  numbers,  according  to 
the  last  census. 

The  population  of  the  State  is  553,290  white  ;  27,196  free  colored  ;.288,412 
slaves ;  753,505  federal  population ;  841  Indians. 
Its  products,  according  to  the  census  of  1840,  are 

1,960,855  bushels  of  wheat.  506,766  dollars  annual  amount  of 

3,574       "            barley.  lumber  sold. 

3,193,941       "            oats.  73,350  barrels  of  fish. 

213,971       "            rye.  593,451  barrels  of  tar,  pitch,  turpen- 

23,893,763       "            corn.  tine,  and  rosin. 

2,609,239      "            potatoes.  995,300  dollars  invested  in  cotton 

625,044  pounds  of  wool.  factories. 

16,772,359      "            tobacco.  2,802  distilleries,  which  produce 
2,820,388      "            rice.                       1,051,979  gallons. 

51,926,190       "            cotton.  10,000  dollars  worth  of  lead, 

17,163       "            sugar.  255,618            "                gold. 

5,082,835  dollars  invested  in  merchan-  968  tons  of  iron, 
dise. 


6 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


TABLE  I. 

Chapter. 

Counties. 

Names  of 

Date  of 

Course  and  Distance 

1850. 

Capital  Towns. 

Forma- 
tion. 

from  Raleigl 

1. 

Federal 
Population. 

Miles 

1       . 

llamance          ' 

jraham 

1848    ] 

^orth-west 

54 

10,165 

2     . 

(Alexander 

Paylorsville 

1846    ] 

Vorth-west 

150 

5,602 

3      . 

A.nson 

^Vadesboro' 

1749    . 

south-west 

143 

10.756 

4     . 

A.she                  ? 

Teflferson 

1799    ] 

Extreme  N.W.  2021 

8,539 

6     ] 

Beaufort 

Washington 

1738   : 

3ast 

127 

11,716 

6    : 

Bertie 

Windsor 

1722 

East 

157 

9,973 

7 

Sladen 

Elizabethtown 

1734 

South-east 

■  99 

8,023 

8 

Brunswick 

Smithville 

1764 

South-east 

173 

5,951 

9 

Buncombe 

Asheville 

1791 

West 

256 

12,738 

10 

Burke 

VIorganton 

1777 

West 

197 

6,919 

11 

Dabarrus 

Concord 

1792 

South-west 

139 

8,673 

12 

Caldwell 

Lenoir 

1841 

North-west 

200 

5,835 

13 

Camden 

Court  House 

1777 

North-east 

219 

5,174 

14 

Carteret 

Beaufort 

1729 

South-east 

168 

6,208 

15 

Caswell 

Yanceyville 

1777 

North 

66 

12,161 

16 

Catawba 

Newton 

1842 

West 

175 

8,234 

17 

Chatham 

Pittsboro' 

1770 

West 

34 

16,055 

18 

Cherokee 

Murphy 

1839 

Extreme  S.W.  3671 

6,703 

19 

Chowan 

Edenton 

1729 

East 

182 

5,251 

20 

Cleaveland 

Shelby 

1841 

South-west 

190 

9,697 

21 

Columbus 

Whitesville 

1808 

South-east 

125 

5,307 

22 

Craven 

Newborn 

1729 

East 

120 

12,328 

23 

Cumberland 

Fayetteville 

1754 

South 

60 

17,723 

24 

Currituck 

Court  House 

1729 

Extreme  N.E.  242 

6,257 

25 

Davidson 

Lexington 

1822 

West 

117 

14,123 

26 

Davie 

Mocks  ville 

1836 

West 

120 

6,997 

27 

Duplin 

Kenansville 

1749 

East 

89 

11,111 

28 

Edgecombe 

Tarboro' 

1733 

East 

76 

13,770 

20 

Forsythe 

Winston 

1848 

North-west 

110 

10,026 

30 

Franklin 

Louisburg 

1779 

East 

36 

9,510 

31 

Gaston 

Dallas 

1846 

West 

175 

7,228 

32 

Gates 

Gatesville 

1779 

East 

167 

6,877 

33 

Granville 

Oxford 

1746 

North 

45 

17,303 

34 

Greene 

Snowhill 

1799 

East 

89 

5,321 

35 

Guilford 
Halifax 

Greensboro' 
Halifax 

1770 

West 

82 

87 

18,479 

36 

1758 

East 

13,007 

37 

Haywood 

Waynesville 

1808 

West 

294 

6,906 

38 

Henderson 

Hendersonville 

1838 

West 

250 

6,483 

39 

Hertford 

"Winton 

1759 

East 

155 

6,655 

40 

Hyde 

Swan  Quarter 

1729 

East 

203 

6,585 

41 

Iredell 

Statesville 

1788 

West 

145 

13,062 

42 

Jackson 

1850 

West 

43 

Johnston 

Smithfield 

1746 

South-east 

27 

11,860 

44 

Jones 

Trenton 

1779 

East 

129 

3,935 

45 

Lenoir 

Kingston 

1791 

East 

80 

6,181 

46 

Lincoln 

Lincolnton 

1779 

West 

172 

6,924 

47 

MacDowell 

Marion 

1842 

West 

20C 

5,741 

48 

Macon 

Franklin 

1828 

West 

331 

6,169 

49 

Madison 

Marshall 

1850 

Extreme  west 

60 

Martin 

Williamston 

1774 

East 

14C 

)       6,960 

51 

Mecklenburg 

Charlotte 

1762 

South-west 

15S 

S     11,724 

HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


TABLE  I.— Continued. 


Names  of 

Date  of 

Course  and  Distance 

1850. 

Chapter. 

Counties. 

Capital  Towns. 

Forma- 

I'rom Raleigh. 

Federal 

tion. 

1 

Population. 

Milesj 

52 

Montgomery 

Troy 

1779 

South-west 

115' 

6,162 

53 

Moore 

Carthage 

1784 

South-west 

79 

8,551 

54 

Nash 

Nashville 

1777- 

East 

44 

9,034 

55 

New  Hanover 

Wilmington 

1728 

South 

148 

14,235 

56 

Northampton 

Jackson 

1741 

East 

108 

10,730 

57 

Onslow 

Court  House 

1734 

South-east 

145 

7,039 

58 

Orange 

Hillsboro' 

1751 

North-west 

40 

14.957 

.59 

Pasquotank 

Elizabeth  City 

1729 

East 

215 

7,708 

60 

Perquimans 

Hertford 

1729 

East 

194 

6,030 

61 

Person 

Roxborough 

1791 

North 

54 

8,823 

62 

Pitt 

Greenville 

1760 

East 

102 

10,743 

63 

Randolph 

A.shboro' 

1779 

West 

72 

15,176 

64 

Richmond 

Rockingham 

1779 

South 

135 

7,936 

65 

Robeson 

Lumberton 

1786 

South 

91 

11,080 

66 

Rockingham 

Wentworth 

1785 

North 

116 

12,363 

67 

Rowan 

Salisbury 

1753 

West 

118 

12,328 

68 

Rutherford 

Rutherfordton 

1779 

West 

216 

12,388 

69 

Sampson 

Clinton 

1784 

South 

94 

12,311 

70 

Stanly 

Albemarle 

1841 

West 

110 

6,347 

71 

Stokes 

Crawford 

1789 

North-west 

110 

8,492 

72 
73 

Surry 
Tyrrell 

Rockford 
Columbia 

1770 

T^ATf  ll-^WP^i" 

145 
200 

17,643 
4,448 

J-  (    f  w 

1728 

East 

74 

Union 

Munro 

1842 

South-west 

160 

9,258 

75 

Wake 
Warren 

Raleigh 
AVarrenton 

1770 

Centre 

62 

21,123 

76 

"1779 

North-east 

10,365 

77 

Washington 

Plymouth 

1799 

East 

162 

4,780 

78 

Watauga 

Boon 

1849 

North-west 

3,348 

79 

Wayne 

1  Waynes- 
\      borough 

1779 

East 

51 

11,478 

80 

Wilkes 

Wilkesborou~ 

1777 

West 

172 

11,642 

81 

Yadkin 

Wilson 

1850 

West 

82 

Yancey 

Burnville 

1833 

North-west 

245 

8,086 

10 


« 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


TABLE  II. 

Showing  the  amount  paid  by  each  county  in  North  Carolina  into  the  trea- 
sury as  taxes  (1850).  Tlie  amount  received  by  each  county  from  the 
treasury  for  the  support  of  common  schools  (distribution  of  1850). _  The 
number  of  white  persons  over  twenty-one  who  cannot  read  or  write,  in 
each  county,  the  deaf  and  dumb,  insane  and  idiotic,  and  blind ;  (from  the 
last  Census.) 


Taxes  paid. 

Annual  amt's 

"Whites    '73 

received  for 

over  21    j 

=  .    1 

nsane 

and     1 

Counties. 

Common       who  cuii-|,_ 

r*-* 

Land. 

Poll. 

Total. 

Schools. 

not  read' 

^  5    Idiotic. j 

5 

( 

ir  write,  a^^ 

Dollars  ] 

dollars 

Dollars  cts. 

Dollars 

1.  Alamance 

531 

447 

1426  00 

See  Orange 

338 

3 

13 

4 

2.  Alexander 

142 

128 

414  00 

See  Iredell 

390 

5 

9 

3 

3.  Anson 

638 

662 

2699  00 

2024 

394 

3 

11 

7 

4.  Ashe 

289 

208 

824  00 

1136 

587 

4 

8 

3 

5.  Beaufort 

416 

201 

2606  00 

1630 

1317 

2 

14 

6 

6.  Bertie 

748 

758 

2926  00 

1481 

1032 

8 

9 

3 

7.  Bladen 

354 

467 

1225  00 

1041 

693 

5 

15 

2 

8.  Brunswick 

246 

367 

990  00 

692 

397 

3 

5 

1 

9.  Buncombe 

488 

369 

1426  00 

1500 

1533 

14 

24 

10 

10.  Burke 

181 

286 

1145  00 

966 

1091 

2 

19 

3 

11.  Cabarrus 

458 

416 

1910  00 

1310 

751 

7 

19 

5 

12.  Caldwell 

265 

185 

786  00 

782 

1129 

4 

10 

5 

13.  Camden 

312 

247 

1219  00 

782 

773 

6 

5 

14.  Carteret 

134 

214 

838  00 

944 

729 

6 

18 

10 

15.  Caswell 

637 

811 

2721  00 

1855 

980 

4 

13 

9 

16.  Catawba 

442 

290 

1178  00 

1591 

363 

8 

18 

7 

17.  Chatham 

663 

772 

2404  00 

2205 

695 

10 

20 

8 

18.  Cherokee 

16 

111 

310  00 

531 

447 

5 

7 

2 

19.  Chowan 

412 

381 

2260  00 

817 

446 

5 

5 

6 

20.  Cleaveland 

282 

322 

1075  00 

1035 

1115 

28 

39 

11 

21.  Columbus 

165 

212 

624  00 

549 

658 

3 

11 

6 

22.  Craven 

315 

672 

44S0  00 

1743 

1355 

8 

22 

10 

23.  Cumberland 

620 

846 

4480  00 

2050 

1614 

9 

25 

14 

24.  Currituck 

303 

292 

898  00 

916 

901 

6 

12 

2 

25.  Davidson 

629 

522 

1954  00 

2122 

1412 

5 

31 

7 

26.  Davie 

306 

307 

1109  00 

1065 

859 

3 

8 

27.  Duplin 

488 

598 

2038  00 

1455 

1123 

5 

13 

7 

28.  Edgecombe 

1062 

1006 

4778  00 

1988 

1923 

12 

10 

6 

29.  Forsythe 

386 

287 

1995  00 

944 

7 

21 

4 

30.  Franklin 

464 

691 

2912  00 

1354 

894 

5 

7 

6 

31.  Gaston 

366 

291 

1151  00 

Included 
in  Lincoln 

6 

7 

3 

1 

32.  Gates 

314 

431 

1460  00 

1010 

942 

4 

8 

3 

33.  Granville 

819 

1112 

4300  00 

2394 

1962 

15 

20 

5 

34.  Greene 

326 

365 

1328  00 

845 

305 

2 

10 

2 

35.  Guilford 

805 

626 

3237  00 

2829 

1637 

22 

47 

6 

36.  Halifax 

885 

920 

3664  00 

2046 

269 

1 

4 

1 

37.  Haywood 

167 

133 

568  00 

760 

1162 

1 

10 

4 

38.  Henderson 

340 

195 

891  00 

854 

1 

1 

0 

2 

39.  Hertford 

352 

410 

1990  62 

964 

532 

6 

10 

3 

40.  Hyde 

41.  Iredell 

352 

304 

1256  00 

872 

670 

6 

7 

12 

507 

513 

1970  00 

2217 

447 

4 

31 

42.  Jackson 

Forme 

d  last 

session 

43. Johnson 

459 

553 

1840  00 

1437 

1420 

6 

14 

7 

44.  Jones 

286 

312 

1115  00 

597 

282 

3 

5 

3 

45.  Lenoir 

351 

453 

1717  00 

\           958 
(      1591      -i 
^  Includes  > 
(    Gaston    ) 

600 

6 

2 

46.  Lincoln 

345 

286 

1404  0( 

166 

6 

1 

47.  MacDowell 

285 

189 

861  00 

1           730 

684 

3 

5 

3 

HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


TABLE  11.— Contmued. 


Taxes  paid. 

Annual  amt's 

Whites 

-3 

received  for 
Common 

over  21 
who  can- 

C 

Insane 
and 

Counties. 

■6 

Land. 

Foil. 

Total. 

Schools. 

not  read 
or  write. 

Idiotic. 

• 

Dollars 

Dollars 

Dollars  cts 

Dollars. 

48.  Macon 

145 

141 

608  00 

739 

9C5 

1 

5 

4 

49.  Madison 

Forme 

d     last 

session 

50.  Martin 

341 

384 

1941  00 

1017 

163 

5 

3 

.51.  Mecklenburg 

570 

6.n6 

3394  00 

2458 

117 

8 

IS 

5 

52.  Montgomery 

214 

219 

769  00 

793 

536 

5 

28 

2 

63.  Moore 

239 

333 

950  00 

1156 

977 

8 

IS 

7 

54.  Nash 

344 

609 

1808  00 

1182 

1357 

4 

14 

2 

55.  New  Hanover 

507 

83(5 

6285  00 

1681 

473 

7 

14 

6 

66.  Northampton 

745 

727 

2582  00 

1666 

1390 

3 

18 

7 

57.  Onslow 

301 

349 

1206  00 

1005 

9.S9 

1 

14 

3 

58.  Orange 

647 

650 

2647  00 

3367 

1176 

7 

17 

9 

59.  Pasquotank 

508 

392 

2185  00 

10.57- 

210 

1 

1 

1 

60.  Perquimans 

486 

387 

1640  00 

965 

660 

9 

2 

61.  Person 

393 

539 

1787  00 

12.59 

610 

3 

12 

4 

62.  Pitt 

608 

734 

2763  00 

1491 

1160 

3 

5 

2 

63.  Randolph 

647 

409 

1866  00 

2019 

1929 

5 

26 

7 

64.  Richmond 

405 

500 

1675  00 

1140 

645 

4 

20 

6 

65.  Robeson 

394 

505 

1466  00 

1440 

639 

3 

15 

3 

66.  Rockingham 

539 

640 

2513  00 

1815 

1025 

18 

16 

3 

67.  Rowan 

513 

646 

2288  00 

1681- 

1229 

5 

18 

2 

68.  Rutherford 

570 

441 

1841  00 

1984 

1324 

9 

25 

6 

69.  Sampson 

506 

648 

1922  00 

1623 

1486 

2 

16 

7 

70.  Stanly 

187 

227 

700  00 

736 

964 

5 

11 

71.  Stokes 

251 

262 

1040  00 

2372 

1674 

10 

7 

9 

72.  Surry 

557 

393 

1659  00 

2244 

3152 

8 

20 

14 

73.  Tyrrell 

191 

187 

568  00 

641 
(     With     -i 

594 

3 

1 

1 

74.  Union 

341 

303 

1170  00 

<    Meek-    > 
(  lenburg  ) 

999 

9 

11 

7 

75.  Wake 

923 

1092 

5828  00 

2798 

2370 

46 

25 

12 

76.  Warren 

616 

872 

3500  00 

1605 

445 

3 

10 

5 

77.  Washington 

247 

348 

1344  00 

601 

201 

1 

4 

1 

78.  Watauga 

136 

72 

325  00 

479 

2 

5 

1 

79.  Wayne 

705 

582 

2526  00 

1472 

1458 

9 

12 

3 

80.  Wilkes 

280 

222 

828  00 

1723 

983 

13 

17 

6 

81.  Yadkin 

Forme 

d     last 

session 

82. Yancey 

158 

139 

504  00 

915 

1003 

12 

13 

7 

Total 

32,708 

34,793 

145,150  00 

124,300 

71,150 

505 

1080 

376 

10  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER  I. 


ALAMANCE  COUNTY. 


Date  of  erection — Origin  of  its  name,  situation,  and  boundaries — County  town 
—Colonial  and  Revolutionary  history — History  of  the  battle  of  Alamance, 
between  Governor  Tryon  au(i  the  Regulators,  June,  1771,  in  which  the  first 
blood  of  the  colonists  was  spilled  by  the  Royal  Troops  of  England— Journal 
of  Governor  Tryon  in  the  first  expedition  against  the  Regulators,  1768 — List 
of  his  officers— Petition  of  John  Low,  James  Hunter,  Rednap  Howell,  and 
other  Regulators,  detailing  the  causes  of  the  disaffection  of  the  people,  and 
oppressive  conduct  of  Edmund  Fanning  and  others — Governor  Tryon's 
reply,  dated  June,  1768 — Petition  of  Francis  Dorset,  William  Paine,  and 
others,  to  the  Governor — Deposition  of  Ralph  McNair,  Oct.  9th,  1770,  as  to 
the  outrages  of  the  Regulators ;  Herman  Husbands  and  others,  when  they 
broke  up  the  Court  at  Hillsboro' ;  run  the  Judge  off;  whipped  John  AVilliams 
and  Edmund  Fanning — Judge  Henderson's  statement — Deposition  of 
Waightstill  Avery,  March  8th,  1771,  who  was  taken  at  Yadkin  Ferry,  by 
the  Regulators — Petition  of  Regulators,  May  15th,  1771,  on  the  field  of  battle 
— Governor  Tryon's  detailed  report  of  the  battle.  May  18th,  1771 — Same,  re- 
porting his  movements  after  the  battle,  report  of  killed,  wounded,  and  mis- 
sing— Oath  of  Regulators — Governor  Martin's  report  to  Lord  Dartmouth,  of 
the  oppressive  conduct  of  the  Sheriffs,  Clerks,  and  other  subordinate  officers 
of  Government  (Nov.,  1772)  —  Population  of  Alamance — Biographical 
Sketch  of  Hon.  Thomas  Ruffin,  Chief  Justice  of  Supreme  Court  of  North 
Carolina. 

Alamance  County  was  erected  in  1848,  out  of  Orange  County. 
It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  CasTvell,  east  by  Orange,  south  by 
Chatham,  and  west  by  Guilford.  It  derives  its  name  from  Ala- 
mance Creek,  famous  in  early  history  for  a  battle  fought  on  its 
banks,  between  the  Royal  Governor  of  the  colony,  William  Tryon, 
and  the  people  under  Herman  Husbands,  Rednap  Howell,  and  others. 

Its  climate  is  salubrious  and  very  uniform. 

Its  capital  is  Graham,  named  in  compliment  to  Hon.  William  A. 
Graham,  the  present  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  for  a  sketch  of  whose 
birth,  life,  education,  and  public  services,  see  Orange  County, 
(Chapter  LVIII.) 

The  town  of  Graham  has  a  beautiful  location.  Its  distance  from 
Raleigh  is  fifty-nine  miles.  Its  court-house  and  public  buildings  are 
in  good  taste  and  well  adapted  to  the  purposes  for  which  they  were 
erected. 

It  has  several  handsome  dwellings,  and  a  printing  office.  The 
Southern  Democrat  is  here  printed.  Its  editor,  J.  W.  Lancaster, 
Esq.,  is  a  Member  of  the  Bar,  an  educated  and  skillful  writer. 

Its  colonial  and  revolutionary  history  is  connected  with  that  of 


ALAMANCE  COUNTY.  11 

Orange  County.  The  causes  of  the  battle  of  the  Regulators,  and  its 
disastrous  termination,  have  been  recorded.     (See  vol.  i.  p.  59.) 

The  conduct  of  the  officers  of  the  government,  from  the  Governor 
down  to  the  lowest  bailiff,  towards  the  people  was  oppressive,  extor- 
tionary and  unjust. 

In  1768,  Governor  Tryon  marched  with  a  body  of  troops  procured 
from  Rowan  and  Mecklenburg  into  this  county.  I  extract  from  his 
Journal,  procm-ed  from  State  Paper  Office,  in  London,  by  aid  of  Hon. 
George  Bancroft,  late  our  Envoy  at  that  court,  never  before  printed. 

Journal  of  Governor  Tryon. 

On  the  sixth  of  July  1768,  in  consequence  of  the  troubles  of  the  Regulators, 
Governor  Tvron  arrived  at  Ilillsboro'. 

On  the  17th  of  August,  the  Governor  left  Hillsboro',  and  on  the  18th, 
arrived  at  Salisbury. 

On  the  19th,  at  Major  Fifer's,  in  Mecklenburg. 

On  the  20th,  Saturday.     Remained  at  Major  Fifer's. 

21st,  Sunday.     Heard  Mr.  Luther,  a  Dutch  minister,  preach. 

22d,  Monday.     Left  Major  Fifer's  and  lay  at  Captain  Polk's. 

23d,   Tuesday.     Reviewed  the  Regiment — about  nine  hundred  men. 
•    24th.  Governor  left  Captain  Polk's,  and  took  up  his  quarters  at  Major  Fifer's. 

25th.  Governor  returned  to  Salisbury ;  Colonel  Osborne  called  on  the  Go- 
vernor to  receive  his  orders  for  conducting  the  review. 

26th,  Friday.  Eleven  Companies  marched,  Governor  ordered  all  the  Cap- 
tains and  field  ofiBcers  to  repair  to  Mr.  Montgomery's,  where  he  communicated 
with  them  as  to  the  transactions  between  him  and  the  Regulators.  Colonel 
Osborne  spoke  warmly  in  support  of  the  government,  and  read  a  letter  from 
four  dissenting  ministers  (Hugh  McCaddon,  Henry  Pattillo,  James  Creswell, 
and  David  Caldwell)  to  their  brethren,  wherein  the  conduct  of  the  Regulators 
was  touched  upon,  from  Hawfields. 

The  Governor  then  marched  into  the  field;  the  first  company  that  joined 
was  Captain  Dobbin's  ;  all  joined  the  Governor  but  Captain  Kuox  and  his  com- 
pany. 

27th,  Saturday.     Left  Salisbury  for  Martin  Fifer's. 

30th,  Tuesday.  The  Governor,  accompanied  by  Colonel  Palmer  and  Mr. 
Fifer,  went  to  see  where  the  Commissioners  left  ofi"  the  line  that  they  run  in 
1746,  between  his  Majesty  and  Earl  Granville.  They  found  four  trees  stand- 
ing in  a  square  marked,  with  notches  and  blazes ;  on  one  of  them,  G.  R.  (George 
Rex,  King  George),  about  five  or  six  hundred  yards  east  of  Cold  Water  Creek. 
On  a  large  gum  they  found  W.  C.  (William  Churton,  1746),  the  name  of  the 
surveyor. 

31st,  Wednesday.  Governor  called  on  Captain  Barringer,  and  in  the  evening 
went  to  Colonel  Moses  Alexander's,  who  agreed  to  furnish  provisions  and 
wagons  for  the  Mecklenburg  volunteers. 

Sept.  ,4th,  Sunday.     Governor  went  to  Salisbury. 

12th,  Monday:  After  reviewing  the  Mecklenburg  battalion,  left  Salisbury 
with  troops  for  Hillsboro'  where  he  arrived  on  the  twenty-first. 

24th.  Governor  so  ill  that  he  gave  the  command  to  Lieutenant-General 
Rutherford. 

Major- Generals  app'd. — John  Ashe  and  Thomas  Lloyd. 

Lieutenant- Generals. — John  Rutherford,  Lewis  Henrt  De  Rosset,  John 
Sampson,  Robert  Palmer,  Benjamin  Heron  and  Samuel  Strudwick. 

Majors  of  Brigade. — Abner  Nash  and  Robert  Howe.  ! 
Colonels. — Alexander  Osborne,  Edmund  Fanning,  Robert  Harris,  James 
Sampson,  Samuel  Spencer,  James  Moore  and  Maurice  Moore. 

Lieutenant- Colonels.— 3 om^  Frohock,  Moses  Alexander,  Alexander  Lil- 
LiNGTON,  John  Gray,  Samuel  Benton  and  Robert  Schaw. 

il/ajoj's.— William  Bullock,  Walter  Lindsay,  Thomas  Llotd,  Martin 
Fifer  and  John  Hinton. 


12  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

On  the  2d  October,  1768,  the  troops  returned  to  Salisbury,  and  Goterxor 
Tryox  to  Xewbern. 


From  State  Paper  Office,  London. 

Am.  and  W.  Ind.,  198. 

Petition  from  Regulators  to  Gov.  Ib-yon  and  Council. 

"May  it  please  your  Excellency,  and  your  Honors:— 

"  At  a  Committee  of  the  Regulators,  held  May  21,  1768,  it  was  ordered  to 
implore  pardon  for  what  was  done  amiss,  and  present  a  plain,  simple  narra- 
tive of  facts  accompanied  and  supported  by  authentic  papers.     *         *         * 

"  We  assure  you  that  neither  disloyalty  to  the  best  of  kings,  nor  disaflfection 

to  the  wholesomest  constitution,  nor  yet  dissatisfaction  to  the  Legislature, 

gave  rise  to  these  commotions  which  now  make  so  much  noise  throughout 

the  province.     After  you  have  perused  this  paper  and  the  concomitant  proofs, 

you  will  easily  perceive  that  those  disturbances  had  their  source  in  the  cor- 

r  rupt  and  arbitrary  practices  of  nefarious  and  designing  men,  who,  being  put 

■    into  offices  of  profit  and  credit  among  us,  and  not  being  satisfied  with  the 

I    loyal  benefits  which  arose  from  the  execution  of  their  offices,  have  been  using 

I    every  artifice,  practicing  every  fraud,  and,  where  these  failed,  threats  and 

1   menaces  were  not  spared,  whereby  to  squeeze  and  extort  from  the  wretched 

(_poor,  who,  as  Col.  Fanning  observes  in  his  petition  (if  'tis  his),  with  their 

utmost  efforts,  can  scarcely  gain  a  wretched  subsistence  for  themselves  and 

families.     How  grievous,  judge  you,  dear  sirs,  must  it  be  for  such  wretches 

to  have  their  substance  taken  from  them  by  those  monsters  of  equity,  whose 

study  it  is  to  plunder  and  oppress  them. 

"In  the  year  1766  there  was  general  discontent  in  the  countenances  of  the 
people,  and  gi'ievous  murmurings  ensuing.  The  popular  voice  gave  out  that 
the  demands  of  the  court  officers  for  fees  of  every  kind  were  exorbitant, 
oppressive,  and  exti\a  legal. 

"  In  order  to  prevent  such  frands,  if  real,  or  to  give  our  officers  an  oppor- 
tunity to  still  those  clamors  by  disproving  them  entirely,  we  drew  up  paper 
No.  1.  (This  was  the  paper  read  in  court,  August,  1766.)  Mr.  Loyd,  the 
member  of  the  General  Assembly,  promised  to  give  a  hearing,  and  approved 
of  the  course. 

"  In  expectation  of  a  meeting  and  of  a  satisfactory  settlement,  a  meeting 
was  held  at  Mr.  Maddock's  mill,  on  Enoe  River. 

"  Col.  Fanning  was  invited  to  attend,  but  refilsed,  sending  them  word  that 
he  objected  to  the  term  'judiciously,'  in  their  resolves,  as  implying  that 
they  had  a  jurisdiction  over  him  ;  and  that  'he  could  not  brook  the  mean- 
ness of  being  summoned  to  a  mill.'  To  both  of  which  frivolous  objections 
we  replied  'that  as  to  the  term  in  question,  we  were  no  critics  on  words, 
but  we  meant  no  more  by  it  than  wisefully,  carefully,  and  soberly  to  exa- 
mine the  matter  in  hand ;  that  with  respect  to  the  court-house,  we  had  no 
right  to  appoint  a  convention  there,  but  to  the  mill  we  had,  having  first 
obtained  the  owner's  leave  to  that  purpose.'  The  petition  proceeds — '  The 
sheriffs  now  grew  very  arbitrary,  insulting  the  populace,  making  such  dis- 
tresses as  seldom  ever  known,  double,  treble,  nay,  even  quadruple  the  value 
of  the  tax  was  frequently  distrained,  and  such  seizures  hurried  away  to 
Hillsborough.'  One  of  the  Regulators  going  to  Hillsborough  on  some  pri- 
vate business  had  his  mare  seized  for  his  levy.  This  mare  was  rescued  by 
the  Regulators,  and  after  expressing  their  regrets  and  apologies,  the  petition 
proceeds :  that  '  Monday  morning,  2d  May,  we  were  alarmed  at  the  astonish- 
ing news  that  Col.  Fanning,  at  the  head  of  twenty-seven  armed  men,  consist- 
ing of  sheriffs,  bombs,  tavern-keepers,  and  officers,  after  travelling  all  night, 
arrived  at  break  of  day  at  Sandy  Creek,  and  made  prisoners  of  Mr.  Herman 
Husbands  and  Mr.  "William  Butler,  the  former  a  gentleman  that  had  never 
joined  the  Regulators,  and  was  never  concerned  in  any  tumnlt."  This  con- 
duct of  Col.  Fanning  alarmed  the  whole  country.  None  now  were  safe, 
whether  active,  passive,  or  neutral. 


ALAMANCE  COUNTY.  13 

"The  very  day  Col.  Fanning  set  off  for  Sandy  Creek,  he  directed  letters  to 
three  of  the  Regulators,  inviting  them  to  Hillsborough,  and  promising  all 
imaginary  satisfaction,  one  of  which  he  directed  to  Jacob  Fudge. 

"  We  have  now  stated,  without  reserve  or  disguise,  our  whole  proceedings 
in  this  affair,  having  concealed  nothing,  whether  for  us  or  against  us ;  and, 
as  you  are  chosen  by  the  contending  parties  to  arbitrate  the  difference,  and 
we  on  our  parts  are  fully  determined  to  abide  by  your  decision,  we  humbly 
hope  naked  truth  and  native  ignorance  loiU  2)oise  'the  superexcellent  flourishes 
and  consummate  declamation  of  our  power/id  adversary/;  and,  relying  on  your 
benignity  and  justice,  we  humbly  beg  leave  to  subscribe  ourselves  your  poor 
oppi-esse'd  suppliants,  and  very  humble  servants. 

John  Low,  John  Marshall, 

James  Hunter,  William  Cox, 

Rednap  Howell,  William  Moffitt, 

Harmon  Cos,  George  Hendry. 

"To  His  Excellency,  Wm.  Tryon,  Esq.,  our  Governor,  and  to  the  Hon.  the 
members  of  His  Majesty's  Council  for  the  Province  of  North  Carolina." 

The  Governor's  Answer. 

"  2\st  June,  1768. 

The  Governor's  answer  to  the  address  of  the  inhabitants  on  the  south  side  of 
Haw  River,  in  Orange  County. 

"  Gentlemen— I  have  received,  by  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Hunter  and  Powell, 
a  petition  and  other  papers,  subscribed  by  several  of  the  inhabitants  on  the 
south  side  of  Haw  River,  in  the  County  of  Orange,  under  the  borrowed  title 
of  Regulators,  assuming  to  themselves  powers  and  authorities  unknown  to 
the  constitution,  of  calling  public  officers  to  a  settlement,  and  a  detail  of  the 
grievances  and  complaints  against  the  Clerk  of  the  Court,  Register,  and 
other  public  officers,  whose  exactions  and  oppressions,  it  is  pretended,  are 
the  cause  of  the  late  insurrections  which  have  disturbed  the  peace  of  that 
part  of  the  country.  These  papers,  agreeably  to  your  desire,  I  have  com- 
municated to  the  members  of  His  Majesty's  Council,  who,  having  taken  the 
same  into  their  deliberate  consideration,  unanimously  concur  with  me  in 
opinion  that  the  grievances  complained  of  by  no  means  warrant  the  extraor- 
dinary steps  you  have  taken  in  assembling  yourselves  together  in  arms,  to 
the  obstruction  of  the  courts  of  justice,  to  the  insult  of  the  public  officers  of 
the  government  in  the  execution  of  their  offices,  and  to  the  injury  of  private 
property.  '        *  *  «  re  j 

"  The  discreet  and  steady  behavior  of  Col.  Fanning,  and  the  officers  and 
men  under  his  command,  meet  not  only  with  the  entire  approbation  of  my- 
self, and  His  Majesty's  Council,  but  will  beacknowledged  with  gratitude  by 
every  unprejudiced  well-wisher  to  this  province.  ...  -i    •    • 

"in  consideration  of  a  determination  to  abide  my  decision  in  council,  itis 
my  direction  by  advice  of  the  Board,  that  you  do,  from  henceforward,  desist 
from  any  further  meetings,  either  by  verbal  appointment  or  advertisement ; 
that  all  titles  of  Regulators  or  Associations  cease  among  you  ;  that  the  sherifls 
and  other  officers  are  permitted  to  execute  the  duties  of  their  respective 
offices." 

Regulators  to  Governor  Tryon. 

"August,  1768. 
"  May  it  please  your  Excellency : — 

"  In  your  'Excellency's  gracious  answer  to  our  petition,  &c.,  by  Messrs. 
Hunter  and  Howell,  you  were  pleased  to  inform  us  that  you  had  laid  our 
papers  before  the  Hon.  the  members  of  His  Majesty's  Council,  for  which  wo 
return  you  our  sincere  and  hearty  thanks."  *  *  i, 

"  Your  gracious  promise  of  settlins,  on  vour  arrival  at  Hillsborough,  a  pro- 
clamation forbidding  all  officers  the^  taking  or  even  demanding  exorbitant 
fees,  on  pain  of  your  severe  displeasure,  gave  us  some  encouragement  and 
hopes  of  redress.     But  when  we  were  assured  the  Register  had,  in  open  \io- 


t 


14  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

lence  thereof  taken  nine  shillings  and  four  pence,  expressly  contrary  to  law, 
for  recording  deeds,  our  hopes  vanished.  Fearing  that  your  orders  to  the 
Attorney-General  may  be  as  little  regarded,  and  that  a  poor  man  will  get  no 
real  redress,  for  your  excellency  may  easily  perceive  how  little  regard  these 
men  pay  to  your  injunctions,  how  little  they  dread  your  displeasure.  Par- 
don us,  therefore,  great  sir,  when  we  tell  you,  in  the  anguish  of  our  souls,  we 
cannot,  dare  not,  go  to  law,  as  we  are  sure  that  step,  whenever  taken,  will 
terminate  to  the  ruin  of  ourselves  and  families. 

"  Seeing,  therefore,  that  the  Sons  of  Zeruiah  are  like  to  prove  too  hard  for 
your  excellency,  as  well  as  for  us,  we  have  come  to  the  resolution  to  petition 
the  Lower  House,  as  the  other  branch  of  the  Legislature,  in  order  to  strengthen 
your  excellency's  hands,  that  by  the  concurrence  and  timely  aid  of  that  re- 
spectable body,  you  maybe  enabled  to  curb  the  insolence  and  avarice  of  these 
overgrown  members  of  the  commonwealth.  *  * 

"  Your  excellency  is  pleased  to  observe  that,  hope  again  to  be  made  happy 
on  seeing  a  spirit  of  industry  prevailing  among  us  over  faction  and  discon- 
tent. Great  sir  !  all  that  know  us,  can  bear  witness  for  us,  that,  while  we  had 
anything  we  could  call  our  own,  few  people  on  earth  were  more  industrious  ; 
but,  alas,  since  the  iron  hand  of  tyranny  has  displayed  its  baneful  influences 
over  us  with  impunity,  how  has  dejection,  indiflFerence,  and  melancholy,  and 
chagrin  diffusively  spread  themselves  far  and  wide  among  us ;  and,  unless 
some  propitious  being  inform  either  of  your  excellency's,  our  assembly,  or 
both,  graciously  condescend  to  use  your  united  efforts  to  extricate  us  out  of 
our  present  misery,  and  secure  us  our  rights  and  property,  the  suUenness  and 
gloom  with  which  we  are  already  seized,  will  sink  deep  upon  our  intellects, 
and  general  disregard  to  everything  below  ensue  as  a  consequence  thereof ; 
nor  shall  we  strive  any  more  than  barely  to  keep  then,  our  tottering  frames 
from  falling  to  pieces,  until  death,  in  compassion  of  our  sufferings,  and  in 
commiseration  of  our  wrongs,  shall  kindly  appear  in  shape  of  a  halter, 
bullet,  sword,  or  perhaps  in  his  natural  shape,  and  remove  us  from  this  spot 
of  dirt,  about  which,  and  its  products,  there  is  so  much  contention  and 
animosity.  Till  when,  and  at  all  times  hereafter,  may  your  excellency's  por- 
tion be  as  the  dew  of  Heaven  and  the  fat  things  of  earth,  ardently  wish, 
sincerely  pray,  your  excellency's  devoted  humble  servants. 

"  Signed,  Francis  Dorset,         Richard  Cheek, 

Wm.  Paine,  (a  Dutchman,) 

Peter  Craven,  Charles  Saxon, 

Jacob  Fudge,  Ninian  Bell  Hamilton." 

Papers  relating  to  Carolina,  vol.  i.,  189.* 

REGULATORS. 

Deposition  of  Ralph  McNair. 

"  9t7i  Oct.,  1770. 

"  That,  on  the  24th  of  April,  1770,  he  saw  among  the  Regulators  in  Ilills- 
boro',  Herman  Husbands,  James  Hunter,  Wm.  Butler,  Ninian  Bell  Hamilton, 
Jeremiah  Fields,  Matthew  Hamilton,  Ely  Branson,  Peter  Craven,  Jno.  Truit, 
Abraham  Teague,  and  Samuel  Parks.  That  the  Regulators  were  armed  with 
cudgels  and  cowskin  whips,  wherewith  they  struck  John  Williams,  Esq.,  an 
attorney,  and  attempted  to  strike  Judge  Henderson,  while  in  the  act  of  mode- 
rating their  fury. 

"  That  he  saw  them  beating  and  pursuing  Colonel  Fanning  till  he  took  re- 
fuge in  a  store,  which  they  assaulted  with  stones  and  brickbats  ;  that  Judge 
Henderson  made  his  escape  the  same  night,  though  the  court  was  only 
adjourned  till  next  day ;  that,  being  exasperated  thereat,  they,  on  the  25th, 
destroyed  the  house  of  Colonel  Fanning." 

"  Robert  Lytle  swore  that  he  heard  the  Regulators,  on  the  25th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1770,  drink  damnation  to  King  George,  and  success  to  the  Pretender." 

Judge  Henderson  wrote  to  Governor  Tryon  on  the  29th  of  September,  1770; 

*  From  Archives  of  Board  of  Trade,  in  London. 


ALAMANCE  COUNTY.  15 

"  that,  upon  opening  court  on  the  25th  of  September,  the  Regulators  filled  the 
house  ;  they  said  they  had  come  to  have  justice  done  ;  they  demanded  that 
their  cases  be  tried  ;  that,  at  a  former  court,  injustice  had  been  done  in  choos- 
ing jurors.  They  insisted  that  the  court  should  proceed  to  do  business,  but 
that  no  lawyer,  save  the  king's  attorney,  should  be  admitted.  This  being  re- 
fused, they  conducted  the  judge  home  with  great  parade.  But,  in  the  even- 
ing, he  made  his  escape.  A  party  of  them  fell  upon  lawyer  "Williams  and 
Fanning,  in  a  most  furious  manner.  About  one  hundred  and  fifty  began  the 
riot;  they  afterwards  increased.     They  left  Hillsboro'  on  Wednesday  night." 

Deposition  of  Waiqlitstill  Avery. 

"  Uli  March,  1771. 

"  Deposeth  that  he  fell  in  with  the  Regulators  at  the  Yadkin  Ferry,  and  was 
carried  to  their  camp  in  the  woods.  That  he  had  heard  them  uttering  many 
opprobrious  speeches  against  the  Governor,  Assembly,  judges,  and  others  in 
ofiice.     Hamilton  said  to  the  listening  crowd — 

"  What  business  has.  Maurice  Moore  to  be  a  judge?  He  was  no  judge  ;  he 
■was  not  appointed  by  the  king.  He,  nor  Henderson  neither.  That  the 
Assembly  had  gone  and  made  a  riotous  act,  that  enraged  the  people  more 
than  ever.  It  was  the  best  thing  that  could  be  done  for  the  country,  for  now 
we  shall  be  forced  to  kill  all  the  clerks  and  lawyers.  And  I'll  be  damned,  if 
they  are  not  all  put  to  death  !  If  they  had  not  made  that  act,  we  might  have 
suffered  some  to  live.  A  riotous  act !  There  never  was  such  an  act  in  the  laws 
of  England,  or  in  any  other  country  but  France  !  and  they'll  bring  the  Inqui- 
sition next. 

"  Many  of  them  said  that  the  Governor  was  a  friend  to  the  lawyers.  The 
lawyers  carry  on  everything.     There  should  be  no  lawyers  in  the  province. 

"When  Captain  Rutherford  was  parading  his  company  in  Salisbury,  some 
of  them  proposed  to  march  in  and  fight  them,  saying,  we  will  kill  them.  The 
insurgents  said  that  the  Assembly  had  imprisoned  Husbands  to  prevent  him 
from  seeing  their  roguish  tricks." 


'■a 


Petition  of  the  Inhabiianis  of  Orange  County,  to  Governor  Tryon.^ 

"  I5th  May,  1771.t 
"  To  His  Escellency,  William  Tryon,  Esq.,  His  Majesty's  Governor,  in  Chief 
in  and  over  the  Province  of  North  Carolina. 
"  The  petition  of  us,  the  inhabitants  of  Orange  County,  humbly  showeth  :-- 
"  First — That  we  have  often  been  informed  of  late,  that  your  excellency  is 
determined  not  to  lend  a  kind  ear  to  the  just  complaints  of  the  people  in  re- 
gard to  having  roguish  officers  discarded,  and  others  more  honest  propagated 
in  their  stead,  and  sheriffs  and  other  oflScers  in  powei-,  who  have  abused  the 
trust  reposed  in  them,  to  be  brought  to  a  clear,  candid,  and  impartial  account 
of  their  past  conduct,  and  other  grievances  of  the  like  nature,  we  have  long 
labored  under  without  any  apparent  hope  of  redress. 

"  Secondly — That  your  Excellency  is  determined  on  taking  the  lives  of  many 
of  the  inhabitants  of  this  county,  and  others  adjacent  to  it,  which  persons, 
being  nominated  in  the  advertisement,  we  know  them  to  be  men  of  the  most 
remarkable  honest  characters  of  any  in  our  country.  These  aspersions,  though 
daily  confirmed  to  us,  yet  scarcely  gains  credit  with  the  more  polite  amongst 
us  ;  still,  being  so  often  confii-med,  we  cannot  help  having  some  small  jealous- 
ies abounding  among  us.  In  order,  therefore,  to  remove  them,  we  would 
heartily  implore  your  Excellency,  that  of  your  clemency,  you  would  so  far 
indulge  us,  as  to  let  us  know  by  a  kind  answer  to  this  petition,  whether  your 
Excellency  will  lend  an  impartial  ear  to  our  petition,  or  no,  which  if  we  can 
be  assured  of,  we  will  with  joy  embrace  so  favorable  an  opportunity  of _  lay- 
ing before  your  Excellency  a  full  detail  of  all  our  grievances,  and  remain  in 

*  From  Slate  Paper  Office,  London.     Am.  and  W.  I.,  vol.  200. 
t  Next  before  the  battle. 


16  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

full  hopes  and  confidence  of  being  redressed  by  your  Excellency,  in  each  and 
every  one  of  them,  as  far  as  lies  in  your  power ;  which  happy  change  would 
yield  such  alacrity,  and  promulgate  such  harmony  in  poor  pensive  North  Caro- 
lina, that  the  presaged  tragedy  of  the  warlike  troops,  marching  with  ardor  to 
meet  each  other,  may  by  the  happy  conduct  of  our  leaders  on  each  side  be  pre- 
vented. The  interest  of  a  whole  province,  and  the  lives  of  his  Majesty's  sub- 
jects are  not  toys  or  matters  to  be  trifled  with.  Many  of  our  common  people 
are  mightily  infatuated  with  the  horrid  alarms  we  have  heard;  but  we  still 
hope  they  have  been  wrong  represented. 

"  The  chief  purport  of  the  small  petition  being  to  know  whether  your  excel- 
lency will  hear  our  petition  or  no.  We  hope  for  a  speedy  and  candid  answer. 
In  the  meantime  your  humble  petitioners  shall  remain  in  full  hopes  and  con- 
fidence of  having  a  kind  answer. 

"And  as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

"  Signed,  in  behalf  of  the  county,  by  John  Williams,        Joseph  Scott, 

Samuel  Low,  Samuel  Clark." 

James  Wilson, 

"  Delivered  to  his  Excellency  at  Alamance  Camp,  the  15th  day  of  May,  1771, 
at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening." 

Governor  Ti-y on' s  Reply. 

"Great  Alamance  Camp, 

May  IWi,  1771. 

"  In  reply  to  your  petition,  I  am  to  acquaint  you,  that  I  have  ever  been  atten- 
tive to  the  interest  of  this  country;  and  to  that  of  every  individual  residing 
within  it.  I  lament  the  fatal  necessity  to  which  you  have  now  reduced  me 
by  withdrawing  yourselves  from  the  mercy  of  the  crown  and  the  laws  of  your 
country,  to  require  you  who  are  assembled  as  Regulators,  to  lay  down  your 
arms,  surrender  up  the  outlawed  ringleaders,  and  submit  yourselves  to  the 
laws  of  your  country,  and  then  rest  on  the  lenity  and  mercy  of  the  govern- 
ment. 

"  By  accepting  these  terms  In  one  hour  from  the  delivery  of  this  dispatch  you 
will  prevent  an  effusion  of  blood,  as  you  are  at  this  time  in  a  state  of  war  and 
rebellion,  against  your  king,  your  country,  and  your  laws. 

"WM.  TRYON. 

"  To  the  people  now  assembled  in  arms,  who  style  themselves  Regulators." 

Governor  Tryon's  OJicial  Report  to  Jiis  Government  of  the  Battle  of  Alamance. 

"  Great  Alamance  Camp, 

May  I8th,  1771. 

"  Mr  Lord  : — I  have  the  happiness  to  inform  your  Lordship,  that  it  has 
pleased  God  to  bless  his  Majesty's  arms  in  this  province  with  signal  victory 
over  the  Regulators. 

"  The  action  began  before  twelve  o'clock,' on  Thursday  the  16th  instant,  five 
miles  to  the  westward  of  Great  Alamance  River,  on  the  road  leading  from 
Hillsborough  to  Salisbury. 

"  The  loss  of  our  army  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  amounted  to  about  sixty 
men. 

"  We  had  but  one  officer  killed,  and  one  dangerously  wounded. 

"  The  action  was  two  hours.  But  after  about  half  an  hour  the  enemy  took 
to  tree  fighting,  and  much  annoyed  the  men  who  stood  at  the  guns,  which 
obliged  me  to  cease  the  artillery  for  a  short  time,  and  advance  the  first  line 
to  force  the  rebels  from  their  covering.  This  succeeded,  and  we  pursued  them 
a  mile  beyond  their  camp,  and  took  many  of  their  horses,  and  the  little  provi- 
sion and  ammunition  they  left  behind  them. 

"  This  success,  I  hope,  Avill  lead  soon  to  a  perfect  restoration  of  peace  in  this 
country.     Though  had  they  succeeded,  nothing  but  desolation  and  ravage 


ALAMANCE  COUNTY.  17 

would  have  spread  itself  over  the  country  ;  the  Regulators  had  determined  to 
cut  off  this  army  had  they  succeeded. 

"  The  inclosed  declarations  of  the  troops  will  testify  to  his  Majesty  the  obli- 
gations I  lay  under  to  them  for  their  steady,  resolute,  and  spirited  behavior. 

"  Some  royal  marks  of  favor,  I  trust,  will"  be  extended  to  the  loyalty  that  has 
•been  distinguished  by  his  Majesty's  faithful  subjects  within  the  province. 

"  The  particular  details  of  this  expedition  I  sliall  transmit  to  lay  before  his 
Majesty  as  soon  as  I  have  settled  the  country  in  peace ;  hoping  that  the  ad- 
vantages now  gained  over  a  set  of  desperate  and  cruel  enemies,  may  meet  with 
his  Majesty's  approbation,  and  finally  terminate  in  giving  a  stability  to  this 
constitution  which  has  hitherto  been  a  stranger  to. 

"  The  army  under  my  command  amounted  (oflBcers  included)  to  upward  of 
eleven  hundred,  that  of  the  rebels  to  two  thousand. 

"  The  two  field-pieces  from  General  Gage,  were  of  infinite  service  to  us. 

"I  am,  &c., 

'  WILLIAM  TRYON, 


(( 


P.  S.  General  Waddell,  with  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  was  obliged,  on 
the  19th  instant,  about  two  miles  eastward  of  the  Yadkin,  to  retreat  to  Salis- 
bury. The  Regulators  surrounded  his  forces  and  threatened  to  cut  them  in 
pieces  if  they  offered  to  join  the  army  under  my  command. 

"  I  shall  march  to-morrow  to  the  westward,  and  in  a  week  expect  to  join  the 
General." 

Governor  Tryon  to  Secretary  of  State. 

"  New  York,  Aug.  1,  1771. 

"On  the  19th  of  May,  the' army  proceeded  westward,  in  order  to  join  Gene- 
ral Waddell  with  his  troops,  then  intrenched  near  Salisbury,  and  on  the  4th 
of  June  we  effected  the  junction  about  eight  miles  to  the  eastward  of  the 
Y'adkin  River,  and  marched  the  same  day  to  the  Moravian  settlement,  where, 
on  the  6th,  we  commemorated  his  majesty's  birthday,  and  celebrated  the 
victory  at  Alamance. 

"  Intelligence  having  been  brought  that  the  counties  of  Tryon,*  Mecklen- 
burg, and  the  north-west  part  of  Rowan, f  westward  of  the  Yadkin,  were  medi- 
tating hostilities,  it  was  judged  proper  by  a  Council  of  war  that  a  strong  de- 
tachment from  the  army  should  march  through  those  parts,  and  compel  the 
inhabitants  to  take  the  oath  above  mentioned,  and  to  suppress  any  insurrec- 
tion among  them.  Agreeable  thereto,  I  appointed  General  Waddell  for  that 
command,  with  the  troops  he  brought  with  him,  amounting  to  three  hundred 
and  forty  men  from  the  counties  of  Mecklenburg,  Rowan,  Tryon,  apd  Anson, 
reinforced  with  the  four  companies  from  Orange,  the  company  of  lightinfan- 
try  from  Cumberland  County,  and  the  artillery  company  ofsailors  raised  at 
Wilmington,  with  one  of  the  brass  field  pieces,  and  six  half-swivel  guns.  The 
General  marched  on  the  8th  day  of  June,  with  orders  from  me,  after  he  had  per- 
formed the  service  aforesaid,  to  disband  his  troops.  Since  his  first  day's 
march  I  have  had  no  intelligence  of  his  measures  or  success,  which  will  be 
communicated  to  you  by  Governor  Martin. 

"  On  the  9th  of  June,  I  returned  with  the  army  through  the  northern  part 
of  Orange  County  to  Hillsboro',  where  the  judges  were  waiting  at  an  especial 
Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  to  try  the  prisoners  taken  in  battle.  Twelve  were 
capitally  convicted  as  traitors,  and  two  acquitted ;  six  of  which  twelve  were 
executed  on  the  19th  of  June,  near  the  town  of  Hillsboro'.  By  the  solicita- 
tions of  the  officers  of  the  army,  I  suspended  the  execution  of  the  other  sis 
till  his  majesty's  pleasure  should  be  known. 

"On  the  20th,  the  army  marched  to  the  southward,  and  as  I  had  received, 
on  the  loth  June,  by  one  of  the  judges,  your  lordship's  dispatch,  requiring 
me  to  take  upon  me,  without  loss  of  time,  the  government  of  New  York,  I 
left  the  army  on  the  20th,  arrived  the  24th  at  Newbern,  and  on  the  30th  I 
embarked  for  this  country. 

*  Now  Lincoln  County.  t  Now  Iredell  County. 


18  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

"Benjamin  Merrill,  a  captain  of  militia,  left  it  in  charge  of  the  officers  to 
solicit  me  to  grant  his  plantation  and  estate  to  his  wife  and  eight  children. 

"  One  Few,  an  outlaw,  taken  in  battle,  was  hanged  the  next  day  in  camp,  and 
the  houses  and  plantations  of  the  outlaws  were  laid  waste  and  destroyed,  and 
the  owners  fled  out  of  the  province.  WM.  TRYON." 

"  Return  of  the  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  of  his  majesty's  forces  on  the 
IGth  of  May,  1771,  at  the  battle  of  Alamance: — Killed,  or  died  of  their 
wounds,  9;  wounded,  61 ;  missing,  none." 


OATH  OF  REGULATORS. 


"  I,  A.  B.,  do  promise  and  swear,  that  if  any  officer  or  any  other  person  do 
,    make  distress  on  any  of  the  goods  or  other  estate  of  any  person  sworn  herein, 
being  a  subscriber,  for  the  non-payment  of  the  said  tax,  that  I  will,  with  other 
1  sufficient  assistance,  go  and  take  if  in  my  power  from  said  officer  and  restore 
^  it  to  the  party  from  whom  taken,  and  in  case  any  one  concerned  herein  should 
be  imprisoned,  or  under  arrest,  or  otherwise  confined,  or  his  estate  or  any 
part  thereof,  by  reason  or  means  of  joining  into  this  company  of  Regulators, 
for  the  non-payment  of  taxes,  that  I  will  immediately  do  my  best  endeavors 
to  raise  as  many  of  the  said  subscribers,  as  will  be  of  force  sufficient,  and  if  in 
my  power,  set  the  said  person  and  his  estate  at  liberty ;  and  I  do  further  pro- 
mise and  swear,  that  if  in  this  case,  this  our  scheme  should  be  broke  or  other- 
wise give  out  our  intention,  any  of  our  company  should  be  put  to  any  expense 
or  under  any  confinement  that  I  will  be  an  equal  share  with  those  in  being 
to  pay  and  make  up  the  sufferer. 

"All  these  things  I  do  promise  and  swear,  and  subscribe  my  name." 


Governor  Martin  to  Lord  Dartmouth. 

Nov.  28th,  1772. 

"  I  can  assure  your  Lordship,  that  notwithstanding  evidences  of  the  most 
licentious,  gross,  and  criminal  violences  on  the  part  of  this  wretched  people, 
yet  a  residence  among  them  lastsummer  afforded  me  a  full  conviction  of  their 
havingbeen  grievously  oppressed  by  the  Sheriffs,  Clerks,  and  other  subordinate 
officers  of  Government." 


These  papers,  procm-ed  from  the  State  Paper  OflBce,  in  London, 
bring  before  us  those  spirit-stirring  events  just  in  the  light  they 
existed  at  the  time.  I  have  presented  both  sides  ftiirly  and  impar- 
tially. It  is  for  the  present  and  future  ages  to  judge  whether  these 
people  deserved  the  cruel  treatment  th6y  endm-ed,  and  the  oppro- 
brium that  has  been  cast  upon  them.  From  the  official  report 
of  Governor  Martin,  who  succeeded  Governor  Tryon  as  the  Royal 
Governor  of  North  Carolina,  it  is  seen  that  he  is  forced  ".^o  the  full 
conviction  that  this  people  ivere  grievoudy  oppressed  by  the  Sheriffs, 
Clerks,  and  other  subordinate  officers." 

From  their  first  Assembly  at  Maddock's  Mill  (Oct.  1766),  to  the 
final  catastrophe  on  the  banks  of  Alamance  (May,  1771),  the  great 
principle  laid  down  was  that  they  should  pay  no  tax  but  what  was 
lawful,  and  imposed  by  their  representatives  in  the  Assembly. 

This  was  the  great  germ  of  American  liberty.  If  exasperated  to 
madness  by  the  wrongs  of  their  powerful  oppressors,  and  under  its 
influences  some  outrages  were  committed,  this  is  not  to  be  imputed 
to  the  cause  in  which  they  were  engaged.     The  remarks  of  an  able 


ALAMANCE  COUNTY.  19 

wi'itcr  on  our  history,  appropriate  to  the  case,  are  here  presented. 

"  It  is  better  that  a  people  should  occasionally  experience  incon- 
venience from  the  warm  bursting  out  of  popular  feeling  than  that 
their  liberties  should  be  neglected  by  sloth  or  inaction. 

"  Every  human  institution  is  imperfect.  Yet  the  honest  instincts 
of  the  people  are  wiser  and  more  laudable  than  the  cold  calculations 
of  a  proud  aristocracy.  I  love  to  behold  the  spirit  of  popular  liberty 
awake,  bold  and  vigorous ;  for  sure  I  am,  that  propositions,  whether 
wild  or  wise,  when  submitted  to  the  severe  ordeal  of  public  discus- 
sion, and  tried  by  the  fire  of  conflicting  minds,  will  not  be  adopted 
unless  public  intelligence  approve,  public  opinion  give  them  vitality, 
and  putilic  justice  adopt  them  as  rules  of  action.  The  whirlwind  of 
popular  excitement  is  far  less  dangerous  than  the  dry  rot  of  luxmy. 
I  had  rather  lose  the  roof  of  my  house  in  the  temporary  storm, 
than  the  whole  building  by  decay  in  its  foundation." 

That  the  Regulators  were  guilty  of  excesses,  none  can  deny.  This 
has  been  the  case  from  all  time  when  justice  and  liberty  contend 
against  oppression  and  power.  But  the  great  principles  that  they  con- 
tended for  ;  the  rights  of  the  many  against  the  exactions  of  the  few ; 
the  right  of  the  people  to  resist  taxation,  unless  imposed  by  their  re- 
presentatives ;  the  refusal  to  pay  more  than  what  was  legal ;  and  a 
right  to  know  for  what  they  were  taxed,  and  how  appropriated ;  if  in 
that  day  cost  them  their  property,  their  blood,  and  their  lives,  they 
were  the  principles  which  carried  our  nation  through  an  eventful 
struggle ;  and  are  now  recognized  as  the  true  principles  of  govern- 
ment, self-evident,  and  incontrovertible.  Had  this  battle  terminated 
differently  (and  five  years  afterwards  this  would  have  been  the  case), 
the  banks  of  Alamance  would  be  veneratecf  as  another  Bunker  Hill ; 
and  Husbands,  Merrill,  and  others,  ranked  with  the  Warrens  and 
patriots  of  another  day. 

The  character  of  Husbands*  has  been  already  alluded  to.  The 
reader  on  referring  to  the  chapter  on  Orange  County,  will  find  the 
character  and  life  of  Edmund  Fanning,  whose  conduct  was  the  chief 
cause  of  the  troubles  of  the  Regulation. 

The  population  of  Alamance  from  the  Census  of  1851,  officially  reported  is 
7,924  whites,  324  free  colored  population  ;  3,196  slaves,  10,165  federal  popu- 
lation ;  228  whites  over  twenty  years  old  who  cannot  read  or  write. 

Alamance  pays  as  taxes  annually  into  the  public  treasury  the  sum  of  $1426, 
of  which  on  land,  §531,  and  on  poll,  §128. 

Hon.  Thomas  Ruffin,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State,  is  a 
resident  of  Alamance. 

He  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  was  born  in  1786.  lie  graduated  at  Prince- 
ton, in  1805  ;  studied  law  with  his  kinsman,  Judge  Roane,  at  the  same  time, 
in  whose  office  was  General  Winfield  Scott. 

He  removed  to  North  Carolina,  and  in  1813,  '15,  and  '16,  represented  Hills- 
borough in  the  House  of  Commons. 

It  may  be  here  remarked  that  to  few  counties  in  North  Carolina  is  the  State 
more  indebted  for  able  representatives  in  her  legislative  halls  than  to  Orange. 
At  this  time  (1815),  Judge  Ruffin  from  the  borough,  Judge  Murphy  in  the 
Senate,  and  Judge  Nash  in  the  Commons. 

*  Vol.  i.  60.    See  Randolph,  Chapter  LXIII. 


20  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

In  1816,  Judge  Ruffin  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  and  resigned 
in  1818.  .       ^ 

In  1825  he  was  again  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  but  resigned 
in  1828,  on  being  appointed  President  of  the  State  Bank. 

In  1829,  he  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  which  elevated  posi- 
tion he  now  holds.  Although  a  native  of  another  State,  his  faiae  belongs  to 
North  Carolina.  Hugh  McC^ueen,  Esq.,  in  a  sketch  of  Judge  Kuffin  before 
me,  says,  Napoleon  was  born  in  Corsica,  but  France,  the  scene  of  his  glory, 
always  claimed  him  as  her  son. 

It  is  always  difficult  to  speak  of  the  living,  no  matter  how  elevated  their 
position,  and  how  assiduous  and  self-sacrificing  their  labors.  With  the  most 
distinguished  there  exists  some  shades  of  prejudice  which  honest  zeal  may 
have  created,  or  emulation  may  have  engendered.  Even  a  just  appreciation 
of  merit  by  a  coteraporary  may  be  received  as  fulsome  eulogium;  hence  the 
biographer  of  the  living  has  a  dangerous  and  diflScult  path.  He  can  only 
regard  the  stern  advice  of  Cromwell  to  Sir  Peter  Lely,  when  sitting  for  his 
portrait,  "  Paint  me  as  I  am."  Yet,  like  the  Colossus  of  Rhodes,  living  cha- 
racters are  best  viewed  in  the  distance.  "We  must  not  be  too  near  the  massy 
statue  to  admire  its  symmetrical  proportions.  When  deatli  and  time  have 
Hoftened  down  by  tlicir  mellow  hand  any  shadow  that  may  in  life  obscure 
our  visidu,  and  halluwed  their  services,  talents,  and  virtues,  then  may  their 
biographies,  with  their  epitaphs,  be  written. 

Judge  Ruffin  married  the  daughter  of  William  Kirkland,Esq.  One  of  his 
sons  was  in  the  last  legislature  (1850),  from  Rockingham,  and  bids  fair  to 
emulate  the  example  of  his  distinguished  father. 

For  tlie  names  of  the  membervS  who  have  represented  Alamance, 
the  reader  is  referred  to  the  County  of  Orange,  with  Avhich  Ala- 
mance votes,  until  after  the  ne.xt  session  of  our  General  Assembly. 


CHAPTER    II. 


ALEXANDER  COUNTY 


Was  erected  in  1846,  formed  from  Iredell,  Caldwell,  and  Wilkes 
Counties. 

It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Wilkes,  on  the  east  by  Davie,  on 
the  south  by  Iredell,  and  on  the  west  by  Caldwell  County. 

Its  capital  is  Taylorsville. 

The  name  of  Alexander  is  familiar  in  North  Carohna,  and  dis- 
tinguished. 

Nathaniel  Alexander,  of  Mecklenburg,  was  Governor  of  the  State  in  1805. 

Abraham  Alexander  was  chairman  of  the  convention  at  Charlotte,  in  May, 
1775,  that  declared  independence. 

Its  capital  preserves  the  name  of  Joirx  Lons  Taylor,  who  was  long  a  judge 
of  our  courts,  distinguished  for  his  learning,  integrity,  and  kindness  of  dis- 
position.    Its  distance  from  Raleigh,  150  miles. 

Its  population,  4.653  white,  24  free  negroes,  543  slaves,  5,002  federal 
population  ;  390  whites  over  20  who  cannot  read  or  write. 

The  taxes  paid  annually  into  tlie  public  treasury,  by  Alexander,  amounts 
'0  four  hundred  and  fourteen  dollars. 


ANSOX  COUNTY.  21 

It  is  Still  connected  with  and  votes  with  Iredell  County,  until 
after  our  next  General  Assembly.  Its  early  history  belongs  to 
Iredell,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred. 


CHATTER    III 


ANSON   COUNTY 


Date  of  erection,  origin  of  name,  situation  and  boundaries,  population  and 
products — Colonial  and  Kevolutionary  history — Excesses  of  the  people 
under  the  oppressive  and  extortionary  conduct  of  the  Crown  officers — Peti- 
tion of  the  citizens  in  17GS  to  Gov.  Tryon  against  Anthony  Hutching, 
Samuel  Spencer,  and  Charles  Medlock,  with  the  names  of  petitioners— 
Keply  of  the  Governor  to  the  same  ;  an  original  document,  never  before 
published — Members  from  Anson  to  the  Provincial  Congress  of  Nortli  Caro- 
lina in  1774,  which  met  at  Newborn— :Moml)ers  of  same  for  same,  which 
met  at  Hillsborough  in  August,  1775— Field  officers  in  1775  for  Anson— 
Character  of  Samuel  Spencer,  one  of  the  earliest  judges  of  the  State,  and 
his  singular  death — ller  distinguished  citizens ,-  and  members  of  the 
Assembly. 

Anson  County  was  erected  as  early  as  1749,  from  Bladen 
County,  and  comprehended  all  the  western  portion  of  the  State, 
from  New  Hanover  and  Bladen  on  the  east,  as  far  as  the  limits  of 
the  State  extended  on  the  west,  more  than  one  half  of  the  State.* 

It  derives  its  name  from  Admiral  Anson,  the  celebrated  Circum- 
navifrator,  who  at  the  time  (1749)  was  in  the  zenith  of  his  fame, 
having  only  a  short  time  previous  obtained  a  victory  over  the  French 
fleet  oflf  Cape  Finisterre. 

Wadesboro',  its  capital  town,  derives  its  name  from  Thomas 
Wade,  who  was  Colonel  of  the  minute  men  of  SaUsbury  District,  in 

1775. 

It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  ^lontgomery  and  Stanly,  on  the 
east  by  Richmond,  on  the  south  by  the  State  of  South  Carolina, 
and  west  by  Union  County. 

Population,  6,556  whites ;  101  free  negroes ;  6,832  slaves ;  10,705  federal 
population  ;  394  persons  over  20  who  cannot  read  or  write. 

Products,  39,991  bushels  of  wheat;  410,102  bushels  of  corn;  108,505 
bushels  of  oats ;  32,244  bushels  of  potatoes ;  11,832  pounds  of  wool ;  21 
distilleries  ;  1,489  gallons  produced. 

The  amount  paid  annually  as  taxes  by  Anson  to  the  treasury  amounts  to 
two  thousand  seven  hundred  dollars,  of  which,  for  land,  S638  ;  polls  S6G2. 

The  amount  received  by  Anson  for  common  schools,  from  the  treasury,  is 
two  thousand  and  twenty-four  dollars  (1850j. 

Its  colonial  history  is  full  of  interest.  The  oppressions  of  offi- 
cers of  the  crown  were  not  confined  to  Orange.     The  opposition  of 

♦  Martin,  vol.  ii  557. 


22  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

the  people  extended  to  Anson  County.  So  heavy  were  the  exac- 
tions of  the  officers,  that  in  17G8  the  people  rose  in  self-defence, 
entered  the  Coui't  House,  and  violently  expelled  the  officers  of  the 
court. 

Deep  must  have  been  the  wrongs,  and  hopeless  the  redress,  when 
a  people  could  thus  \iolently  defend  their  rights ! 

The  following  petition  (never  before  publisheil),  from  the  State 
Paper  Office  in  London,*  was  procured  through  the  kindness  of 
Hon.  George  Bancroft,  our  late'  Envoy  at  that  court,  with  the 
names  of  the  Regulators,  presents  the  matter  in  their  own  lan- 
guage, and  the  reply  of  Gov.  Tryon  to  the  same. 

At  that  early  day  tlie  gi'cat  principle  was  laid  down  "  that  taxa- 
tion and  representation  should  always  be  associated  ;  that  neither 
Parliament,  nor  the  Governor,  or  any  other  power,  had  the  right  to 
tax  the  people  without  their  consent,  freely  given  through  their  re- 
presentatives in  the  General  Assembly." 

This  petition  proves  that  to  Anson  belongs  the  credit  of  having 
first  advocated  the  election  of  magistrates  by  the  people. 

The  People  of  Anson,  to  his  Excellency  Governor  Tryon. 

"Excellent  Sir: — AVe  make  no  dnnbt  hut  that  you  will  soon  hoar  the  dia- 
agreeable  new8  of  the  disorders  of  tlic  unfortunate  County  of  Anson.  We, 
therefore,  take  tliis  opportunity  to  inform  you  the  cause  and  manner  of  it; 
in  which  we  blame  ourselves  for  not  first  having  addressed  your  excellency 
on  the  occasion  of  our  complaints,  who  could,  no  doubt,  have  removed  our 
grievances,  and  have  prevented  the  rumor  of  faction  and  disorder.  But, 
being  long  under  the  growing  weight  of  oppression,  became  rash  and  precipi- 
tate, and  thought  to  change  the  state  of  the  country  in  a  different  manner,  to 
have  suppressed  the  offenders,  and  make  them  wary  of  their  employments. 

"  For  which  purpose  we  formed  ourselves,  into  which  tlie  opposite  party 
called  a  mob,  of  about  five  hundred  men,  resolving,  should  no  happier  eveht 
interfere  to  our  succor,  to  defend  our  cause  in  the  disagreeable  manner  of 
force,  and  to  have  persisted  unto  blood. 

"  We  looking  at  that  time,  much  out  of  our  powers,  to  have  kindness  from 
your  excellency,  as  our  leading  men  were  best  ivcquainted,  whose  assertions 
we  feared  would  have  greatest  weight  with  your  excellency  ;  but  whenever 
considered  that  neither  prince  nor  governor,  who  ha.s  tlie  good  of  his  people 
at  heart,  would  see  them  oppressed  to  gratify  the  errors  and  ambition  of  any 
particular  persons,  who  are  Anthony  Ilutchins,  Col.  Samuel  Spencer,  Charles 
Medlock,  and  their  assistants,  the  justices  and  sheriffs  chiefly  recommended 
to  your  excellency  by  Ilutchins  and  Spencer,  to  answer  their  partial  views 
and  purposes.  ***** 

"Innocent  persons  are  committed  to  jail  by  the  jailor  himself,  being  a 
magistrate,  then  put  to  considerable  expense,  and  then  discharged. 

"Amongst  other  things,  they  tax  the  people  in  an  unusual  manner,  which 
is  as  follows:  First,  persons  who  commit  capital  offences  are  committed  to 
the  county  jail,  and  there  retained  five  or  six  months ;  a  county  tax  is  laid  to 
defray  the  expenses,  when  it  is  notoriously  known  that  it  is  a  province  ex- 
pense. But  Medlock,  the  late  sheriff,  stopped  not  there,  but  proceeded 
by  Mr.  Spencer,  the  clerk  and  member  for  the  county,  to  have  the  same 
claim  allowed  by  the  Assembly,  and  were  only  prevented,  as  we  are  informed, 

♦  State  Paper  OlTice.  London.    Am.  and  W.  I.,  vol.  cxcviit. 


ANSON  COUNTY. 


28 


by  its  being  proved  to  the  Committee  .of  Claims  that  the  prigoners  had  made 
satisfaction  themselves. 

"These  things  veere  not  unknown  to  Mr.  Spencer  when  he  laid  Medlock's 
claim  before  the  Assembly. 

"In  the  next  place,  they  tax  considerable  sums  of  money  for  particular 
persons,  who  not  having  a  right  thereto,  the  magistrates  receive  back  a  part, 
if  not  all,  to  their  own  use.  All  those  things  can  be  made  appear,  and  we 
conceive  that  no  people  have  a  right  to  be  taxed  but  by  consent  of  themselves  or 
their  delegates  * 

"  The  sheriffs  who  receive  the  tax,  particularly  Medlock  and  his  associates, 
have  made  a  constant  practice  to  exact  two-eighths  for  distress  money, 
•where  no  distress  is  made  or  necessary  to  be  made ;  and  also  have  taxed 
different  sums  from  the  people,  according  to  their  non-acquaintance  with  the 
right,  so  that  several  different  sums  were  received  from  the  people  in  the 
same  year,  surmounting  the  right  tax. 

"As  to  the  clerk,  his  extortions  are  burdensome  to  all  that  fall  in  his 
power,  as  he  takes  double  and  sometimes  treble  his  dne.  Though  it  is  true 
that  he  purchased  his  office  from  Colonel  Frohock,  and  gave  to  the  amount 
of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  for  it,  yet  it  is  unreasonable  we  should  bear 
the  expense  by  way  of  extortion. 

******** 

"  This,  and  much  more,  are  the  causes  of  the  present  disturbance,  which  we 
humbly  pray  your  excellency  will  please  to  reconcile,  by  discharging  the 
most  of  the  magistrates  from  their  seats,  and  appointing  better  men,  and  also 
the  clerk  of  it,  if  it  seems  right  to  you  ;  and  also  to  recommend  by  the  voice  of 
the  country,  such  j)ersons  as  trill  Judiciously  discharge  their  several  offices. 
Upon  such  alteration  the  minds  of  the  people  will  be  at  ease,  and  each  one  to 
his  former  obedience  ;  and  ready  to  discliarge,  according  to  their  abilities, 
every  expense  necessary  for  the  support  of  the  government,  and  we  as  peti- 
tioners, as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray. 


Solo.  Crofts, 
Thomas  Ussery, 
Jno.  Skinner, 
II.  Fortenberry, 
Lewis  Low, 
Joseph  Ilowel, 
Jason  Meadow, 
James  AUmond, 
Job  Cilleadon, 
James  Loury, 
James  Mi- .Moot, 
Paniel  Short, 
James  Colbon, 
Charles  Walkinford, 
James  Round, 
J.  Tretenbury, 
Delany  Herring, 
Jacob  Collins, 
Josh.  Collins, 
Js.  Armstrong, 
Jno.  Swor,  sen., 
Samuel  Swearinger, 
Reuben  "Woodard, 
Luke  Robinson, 
Thomas  Masen, 
Wm.  Betten, 


Charles  Booth, 
Ab.  Buskin, 
Nat.  Wood, 
Mark  Roorhen, 
Wm.  Hickman, 
John  Baile, 
John  Hornback, 
Wm.  Busil, 
Ilarklis  Conkwrite, 
Jno.  Bonnet, 
Thos.  Harper, 
Jas.  Adams, 
Amos  Pilgrim, 
Thomas  Adams, 
Jno.  Swor,  jun., 
Van  Swearinger, 
Sam.  Williams, 
Solo.  W'illiams, 
Wm.  Fielding, 
Pat.  Boggen,jun., 
Thos.  Fanning, 
John  Jenkins, 
Thos.  Fanning,  jun., 
Pat.  Saunders, 
Jno.  Caterham, 
James  Short, 


Thos.  Tree, 
Jon.  Helms, 
Wm.  Greers, 
J.  Touchberry, 
Sam.  Harper, 
Thos.  Swearinger, 
W^m.  Adams, 
Jas.  Barindine, 
Wm.  Barindine,  sen. 
A\^m.  Barindine,  jun. 
Sam.  Bruton, 
Jno.  Mason, 
Ralph  Mason, 
Thomas  Mason, 
Henry  Fortenbury, 
Wm.  Rogers, 
Geo.  Marchbanks, 
Wm.  Buzen, 
Ant.  Matthews, 
Peter  Brisly, 
Den.  Nelson,  sen., 
Benj.  Barrit, 
Jon.  Poston, 
Saml.  Thomas, 
James  Higgins, 
Wm.  Higgins, 


*  This  prove',  at  that  early  day,  the  great  principle  of  taxation  and  representation  was 
well  understood  by  the  simplest  of  our  people ;  and  to  Auson  belongs  the  honor  of  tirst 
recommending  the  election  of  clerks  and  magistrates  by  the  people. 

11 


24  HISTORY  or  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Wm.  Rop;ers,  Wm.  Short,  Frank  Gordon, 

Thos.  Mmis,  John  Henson,  Jno.  Higgins, 

•Charles  Henson,  Robt.  Thorn,  Thomas  Jordan, 

Malachi  Watts,  Robt.  Ashley,  Ab.  Harper, 

"Wm.  Burns,  Saml.  Touchberry,  Jo.  English, 

Jno.  Carpenter,  John  Brus,  Thos.  Merns, 

Jos.  Burhani,  John  Web,  Thos.  Harper. 

Gov.  Tryon  ansTvered  the  petition  on  the  16th  Aug.  1768,  and 
informed  them  that  the  matters  of  complaint  in  the  above,  required 
the  consultation  of  his  Majesty's  Council,  and  he  enclosed  a  procla- 
mation, dated  21st  July,  1768,  "  requiring  all  public  officers  to 
have  a  fair  table  of  their  fees  affixed  in  each  office,  and  for  them 
not  to  demand  or  receive  other  fees  for  public  business  transacted 
in  their  offices,  than  what  are  established  by  law." 

The  members  from  Anson  to  the  first  Provincial  Congress  at 
Newbern,  August,  1774  (which  was  the  first  movement  of  the  people 
as  a  State,  adverse  and  opposed  to  the  royal  government),  were 
Samuel  Spencer  and  William  Thomas. 

This  was  an  epoch  in  the  history  of  our  State.  The  movement 
was  well  designed,  concerted,  and  effectual.  It  led  to  the  final  over- 
throw of  the  Colonial  Government,  and  established  independence. 
Its  journal  has  been  preserved.  The  firmness  and  patriotism  of  its 
resolves,  the  eloquence,  correctness,  and  spirit  of  language,  com- 
mand our  respect  and  admiration  of  this  body.  ,  John  Harvey,  of 
Perquimans,  was  chosen  Moderator ;  William  Hooper,  of  Orange, 
Joseph  Hewes,  of  Edenton,  and  Richard  Caswell,  of  Dobbs,  were 
appointed  delegates  to  the  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia. 

On  the  20th  of  August,  1775,  the  Provincial  Congress  of  North  Carolina 

met  again  at  Hillsboro'.  c^  o  xxr 

The  delegates  from  Anson  were  Thomas  Wade,  Samuel  Spencer,  William 

TnoMAS,  David  Love,  and  William  Picket. 

This  body  placed  the  State  in  complete  military  organization. 

AViLLiAM  Picket,  of  Anson,  was  appointed  Captain  in  the  First  Regiment, 

commanded  by  James  Moore.  i    r  xu    at-      .    at        f  c  v 

Thomas  Wade,  of  Anson,  was  chosen  Colonel  of  the  Minute  Men  ot  Salis- 
bury District:  from  his  name  Wadesboro'  derived  its  name. 

For  Field  Officers  for  Anson  County—  ^  ,       , 

Samuel  Spencer  was  appointed  Colonel;  Charles  Medlock,  Lieut.-Colonel ; 
James  Huld,  1st  Major;  David  Love,  2d  Major.  ,     ^  ,-  , 

Samuel  Spencer  was  appointed  with  Waightstill  Avery,  from  the  Salisbury 
District,  on  the  Provincial  Council  of  Safety,  which  was  the  real  executive  of 
the  State  during  the  interregnum  between  the  abdication  of  Governor  Martin 
(the  royal  Governor)  in  1775,  and  the  accession  of  Richard  Caswell,  the 
Governor  under  the  constitution  in  1776. 

The  character  of  Samuel  Spencer  belongs  to  Anson.  The  record  shows 
that  his  talents  were  appreciated  by  the  country,  for  he  was  associated  in 
its  defence  in  both  a  civil  and  military  character.  Under  the  Colonial  Go- 
vernment, he  represented  Anson  in  the  Assembly,  and  was  clerk  of  the  court 
for  that  county,  an  office  of  much  profit.  His  conduct  appears  to  have  given 
offence  while  in  discharge  of  these  duties,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  petition  from 
Solomon  Crofts  and  others,  herein  published. 

He  was  one  of  the  three  Judges  of  the  Superior  Courts  first  elected  under 
the  constitution  (1777).     He  was  in  the  Convention  assembled  at  Hillsboro'  in 


ANSON  COUNTY. 


25 


July,  1788,  to  deliberate  upon  the  Federal  Constitution  ;  was  its  active  and 
able  opponent,  and  contributed  greatly  to  its  rejection  in  that  body. 

He  died  in  1794.  Ilis  death  was  caused  by  a  most  singular  circumstance. 
lie  had  been  in  ill  health,  and  was  sitting  in  his  yard  in  the  sun.  A  large 
turkey  gobbler  was  attracted  by  some  part  of  his  clothing,  which  was  red,  for 
which  color  turkeys  have  a  great  antipathy.  The  turkey  attacked  Judge 
Spencer  most  furiously,  and  before  assistance  could  rescue  him,  so  severely 
was  he  wounded,  that  he  died  in  a  short  time  from  the  injuries. 

From  the  journal  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  at  Ilillsboro,'  20th  August, 
1775,  it  appears  that  John  Coulson,  an  individual  of  some  considerable 
influence  in  this  county,  was  brought  before  Congress,  and  solemnly  recanted 
his  political  opinions,  and  promised  to  aid,  support  and  defend,  the  just  rights 
of  America. 

By  the  journal,  28th  August,  1776,  James  Colten,  Samuel  Williams,  and 
Jacob  Williams,  were  charged  with  being  Tories.  They  were  arrested  and 
brought  to  the  bar  of  the  house  by  the  Hillsboro'  company,  and  set  at  liberty 
after  examination. 

The  following  is  a  correct  list  of  the  Members  from  Anson 
County,  as  from  the  archives  in  the  State  Department  at  Raleigh, 
from  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  to  the  last  Session,  1850-51, 


Years.  Senate. 

1777.  John  Childs, 

1778.  John  Childs, 
1770.  John  Childs, 
1780.  John  Childs, 

1782.  Thomas  Wade, 

1783.  Thomas  Wade, 

1784.  Stephen  Miller, 

1785.  Stephen  Miller, 

1785.  Stephen  Miller, 

1786.  Stephen  Miller, 

1787.  Stephen  Miller, 

1788.  John  Auld, 

1789.  Lewis  Lanier, 

1791.  Thomas  Wade, 

1792.  James  Marshall, 

1793.  James  Marshall, 

1794.  James  Pickett, 

1795.  James  Pickett, 

1796.  Wm.  May, 

1797.  James  Marshall, 

1798.  John  Auld, 

1799.  Thos.  AVade, 

1800.  James  Marshall, 

1801.  James  Marshall, 

1802.  James  Marshall, 

1803.  James  Marshall, 

1804.  James  Marshall, 

1805.  James  Marshall, 

1806.  James  Marshall, 

1807.  James  Marshall, 

1808.  Thos.  Threadgill, 

1809.  Thos.  Threadgill, 

1810.  James  Marshall, 

1811.  James  Marshall, 

1812.  James  Marshall, 


House  of  Commons.  ^ 

George  Davidson,  Wm.  Pickett. 
George  Davidson,  Stephen  Miller. 
Stephen  Miller,  Charles  Medlock. 
Stephen  Miller,  Richd.  Farr. 
Stephen  Miller,  John  Jackson. 
John  Jackson,  John  Auld. 
James  Terry,  John  Dejarnell. 
James  Terry,  John  Dejarnell. 
*James  Terry,  Wm.  Wood. 
William  Wood,  Wm.  Lanier. 
Lewis  Lanier,  Pleasant  May. 
Lewis  Lanier,  Pleasant  May. 
AVm.  Wood,  Pleasant  May. 
Wm.  AVood,  James  Pickett. 
Wm.  Wood,  Pleasant  May. 
Wm.  Wood,  Pleasant  May. 
Pleasant  May,  Danl.  Young. 
Pleasant  May,  Danl.  Young. 
Isaac  Jackson,  Danl.  Young. 
Isaac  Jackson,  Danl.  Ross. 
Lewis  Lanier,  Pleasant  May. 
Wm.  Wood,  Pleasant  May. 
Danl.  Ross,  Clement  Lanier. 
Clement  Lanier,  John  Culpepper. 
Wm.  Lanier,  Robert  Troy. 
Wm.  Lanier,  Jamea  Hough. 
Adam  Lockhart,  William  Lanier. 
Joseph  Pickett,  Wm.  Lanier. 
William  Lanier,  Robt.  Troy. 
Lawrence  Moore,  Wm.  -Johnston. 
Wm.  Johnston,  Lawrence  Moore. 
Joseph  Pickett,  Lawrence  Moore. 
Wm.  Johnston,  David  Cuthbertson. 
D.  Cuthbertson,  Wm.  R.  Pickett. 
Wm.  Johnston,  Wm.  R.  Pickett. 


*  Seat  vacated,  for  having  borne  arms  against  the  Stale. 


26 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

1813.  Wm.  Johnson, 

1814.  Lawrence  Moore, 

1815.  Lawrence  Moore, 
.1816.  Lawrence  Moore, 

1817.  Joseph  Pickett, 

1818.  Wm.  Marshall, 

1819.  Wm.  Marshall, 

1820.  Wm.  Marshall, 

1821.  Wm.  Marshall, 

1822.  Wm.  Marshall, 

1823.  Wm.  Marshall, 

1824.  Wm.  Marshall, 

1825.  Joseph  Pickett, 

1826.  Joseph  Pickett, 

1827.  Joseph  Pickett, 

1828.  Clement  Marshall, 

1829.  Clement  Marshall, 

1830.  Clement  Marshall, 

1831.  Clement  Marshall, 

1832.  Wm.  A.  Morris, 

1833.  Wm.  A.  Morris, 

1834.  Alex.  Little, 

1835.  Alex.  Little, 

1836.  Absalom  Myers, 
J.838.  A.  Myers, 
1840.  Abs.  Myers, 
1842.  Abs.  Myers, 
1844.  P.  G.  Smith, 
1846.  D.  D.  Daniel, 
1848.  D.  D.  Daniel, 
1850.  Purdie  Richardson, 


House  of  Commons. 

D.  Cuthbertson,  Joseph  Pickett. 
Joseph  Pickett,  Wm.  Dismukes. 
Wm.  Dismukes,  Joseph  Pickett. 
Wm.  Dismukes,  Joseph  Pickett. 
James  Colman,  Boggan  Cash. 
Jonathan  Taylor,  Boggan  Cash. 
B.  Cash,  Geo.  Dismukes. 
Joseph  White,  Jeremiah  Benton. 
Joseph  White,  John  Smith. 
Joseph  White,  John  Smith. 
Joseph  White,  James  Gordon. 
Joseph  White,  James  Gordon. 
John  Smith,  Clement  Marshall. 
John  Smith,  Clement  Marshall. 
Alex.  Little,  Clement  Marshall. 
Wm.  A.  Morris,  John  Smith. 
Wm.  A.  Morris,  Jos.  White. 
W.  A.  Morris,  Joseph  White. 
Wm.  A.  Morris,  Alex.  Little. 
M.  W.  Cuthbertson,  T.  D.  Parks. 
P.  W.  Kittrell,  A.  W.  Brandon. 
Pleasant  W.  Kittrell,  A.  W.  Brandon. 
John  A.  McRae,  Jere.  Benton. 
John  A.  McRae,  John  Grady. 
George  Dunlap,  P.  H.  Winston. 
P.  11.  Winston,  John  McColum. 
Thomas  S.  Ashe,  John  McColum. 
Jon.  Trull,  J.  M.  Waddill. 
J.  R.  Hargrove,  Jon.  Trull. 
J.  R.  Hargrove,  Jon.  Trull. 
Atlas  Jones  Dargan,  Benj.  J.  Dunlap. 


CHAPTER    IV. 


ASHE  COUNTY. 


Date  of  erection,  origin  of  name,  situation  and  boundaries — Population  and 
products—Jefferson,  county  town  ;  first  settlement  in  1755,  and  a  general 
description — List  of  members  from  formation  of  the  county  to  the  last 
Legislature. 

Ashe  County  was  formed  in  1799  from  "  that  portion  of  Wilkes 
lying  west  of  the  extreme  height  of  the  Appalachian  Mountains." 
It  is  the  extreme  northwest  corner  of  the  State ;  bounded  on  the 
north  by  the  Virginia  line,  east  by  the  Appalachian  Mountains, 
which  separate  it  from  Wilkes  and  Surry,  and  south  by  Watauga, 
Caldwell,  and  Wilkes  Counties. 

It  was  called  in  honor  of  Samuel  Ashe,  who  was  but  a  short  time  before 
the  erection  of  this  county  Governor  of  the  State. 


ASHE  COUNTY.  27 

The  character  of  Governor  Ashe  is  one  of  which  North  Carolina  may  be 
•well  proud. 

His  father,  John  B.  Ashe,  was  distinguished  in  the  annals  of  the  province 
as  early  as  1727 ;  he  had  emigrated  to  the  colony  of  North  Carolina  from 
England,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Earl  of  Craven,  one  of  the  Lords  Pro- 
prietors, and  settled  in  Wilmington,  then  called  Newton  ;  he  had  two  sons, 
John  Ashe  and  Samuel  Ashe,  both  distinguished  in  the  revolutionary  history 
of  the  State. 

Samuel  Ashe  was  born  in  1725.  He  was  an  educated  man,  and  a  lawyer 
by  profession.  The  proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  and  the  journals 
of  the  Provincial  Congress  from  1774  to  1776  attest  his  firmness  and  patriotism. 
He  did  not,  like  his  distinguished  brother  John,  figure  in  the  field  of  arms, 
but  he  was  eminently  conspicuous  in  the  council  and  cabinet  in  conducting 
the  afiairs  of  the  State,  to  which  arms  and  force  are  but  necessary  accesso- 
ries. If  John  Ashe  was  the  Achilles,  Samuel  Ashe  was  the  Nestor  of  North 
Carolina. 

He  was  one  of  the  three  first  judges  in  the  State,  1777,  and  Governor  in' 
1795.     For  further  notice  of  Governor  Ashe,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the 
Chapter  LV.  on  New  Hanover  County. 

Its  capital  town  preserves  in  North  Carolina  the  name  of  Thomas  Jefferson, 
the  third  President  of  the  United  States.     Its  distance  from  Raleigh  202  miles. 

The  amount  of  taxes  paid  by  Ashe  to  the  public  treasury  is  eight  hundred 
and  twenty-four  dollars. 

The  amount  received  by  Ashe  from  the  public  treasury  for  common  schools 
is  one  thousand  one  hundred  and  thirty-six. 

Ashe  County  was  settled  about  1755.  The  face  of  the  country- 
is  mountainous,  its  valleys  fertile,  yielding  wheat,  oats,  barley, 
buckwheat,  and  potatoes  in  great  abundance.  It  has  extensive 
ranges  for  pasture ;  its  air  pure  and  w  ater  excellent ;  the  climate 
favorable  to  longevity.     It  abounds  in  iron  and  saltpetre. 

Produce,  according  to  census  returns  of  1840  : — 

10,836  bushels  wheat.  57,982  bushels  potatoes. 

150,279       "        corn.  97  distilleries. 

10,970       "        buckwheat.  23,573  gallons  produced. 

17,805       "        rye.  735  dollars  worth  of  ginseng. 

108,505       "        oats.  16,193  pounds  of  sugar. 

Population  according  to  the  census  of  1850 :  8,096  whites  ;  86  free  negroes ; 
595  slaves ;  8,539  freed  population ;  587  persons  over  20  who  cannot  read 
or  write. 

The  following  is  a  correct  list  of  the  Members  of  the  Legislature, 
from  the  erection  of  this  county  to  the  last  session,  1850-51. 

Years.  Senators.  Members  of  the  House  of  Commoas.* 

1800.  George  Koontz,  John  Calloway,  Nathan  Horton. 

1801.  George  Koontz,  Richard  Williams,  William  Horton. 

1802.  George  Koontz,  Nathan  Horton,  John  Calloway. 

1803.  John  Calloway,  Richard  Williams,  Jonathan  Bake. 

1804.  James  M.  Caleb,  Richard  Williams,  Joseph  Calloway. 

1805.  Nathan  Horton,  Richard  Williams,  John  Koontz. 

1806.  Nathan  Horton,  Joseph  Calloway,  Richard  Williams. 

1807.  John  Calloway,  Richard  Williams,  Thos.  McGimpsey. 

1808.  J.  Calloway,  Richard  Williams,  Bedent  Baird. 

1809.  J.  Calloway,  Thos.  McGimpsey,  Richard  Williams. 

1810.  Richard  Williams,  Martin  Gambill,  David  Miller. 

1811.  Richard  Williams,  David  Miller,  Martin  Gambill. 

1812.  George  Bower,  David  Edwards,  Elijah  Calloway. 

1813.  George  Bower,  E.  Calloway,  David  Miller. 

1814.  George  Bower,  E.  Calloway,  William  Horton. 


28 


HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senators. 

1815.  George  Bower, 

1816.  George  Bower, 

1817.  George  Bower, 

1818.  E.  Calloway, 

1819.  E.  Calloway, 

1820.  R.  Gentry, 

1821.  E.  Calloway, 

1823.  E.  Calloway, 

1824.  E.  Calloway, 

1825.  Abner  Smith, 

1826.  A.  B.  M'Millan, 

1827.  A.  B.  M'Millan, 

1828.  John  Harden, 

1829.  A.  Mitchell, 

1830.  John  Ray, 

1831.  John  Ray, 

1832.  John  Ray, 

1833.  G.  Phillips, 

1834.  Noah  Mast, 

1835.  John  Gambill, 

1836.  Edmund  Jones, 
1838.  Edmund  Jones, 
1840.  A.  Mitchell, 
1842.  Edmund  W.  Jones, 
1844.  A.  B.  McMillan, 
1846.  A.  B.  McMillan, 
1848.  George  Bower, 
1850.  George  Bower, 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
E.  Calloway,  William  Horton. 
E.  Calloway,  William  Horton. 
E.  Calloway,  Joseph  Doughton. 
Francis  Bryan,  Miles  Allen. 
Bedent  Baird,  Richard  Gentry. 
John  Harden,  Alex.  B.  McMillan. 
Alex.  B.  McMillan,  Abner  Smith. 
Alex.  B.  McMillan,  J.  Weaver. 
Joshua  Weaver,  Alex.  B.  McMillan. 
William  Herbert,  Reuben  Hartley. 
J.  Blevins,  Zachariah  Baker. 
Zach.  Baker,  Anderson  Mitchell. 
A.  Mitchell,  James  Calloway. 
J.  Calloway,  Zachariah  Baker. 
James  Horton,  J.  Calloway. 
J.  Calloway,  Taliaferro  Witcher. 
T.  Witcher,  Jonathan  Horton. 
T.  Witcher,  Jonathan  Horton. 
J.  Horton,  Taliaferro  Witcher. 
T.  Witcher,  Jonathan  Horton. 
James  M.  Nye. 
James  M.  Nye. 
Alex.  B.  McMillan. 
George  Bower. 
Benjamin  Calloway. 
Benjamin  Calloway. 
Reuben  Mast. 
A.  B.  McMillan. 


CHAPTER   V. 


BEAUFORT   COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation — Origin  of  name,  situation  and  boundaries — Popnlation 
and  products — Washington,  county  seat — Bath,  ancient  town — Delegates 
to  first  Provincial  Congress  in  North  Carolina,  in  1774,  from  Beaufort — 
Delegates  to  second  Provincial  Congress  in  1775 — Officers  in  1776,  of  the 
Beatfort  Regiment — Delegates  from  Beaufort  in  1776 — Members  of  Gene- 
ral Assembly. 

Beaufort  County  was  formed  in  1741,  from  Batli  Coimtj,  now 
abolished,  and  derives  its  name  from  Henrj,  Duke  of  Beaufort,  in 
whom  was  vested  the  proprietary  rights  of  George,  Duke  of  Albe- 
marle, and  who,  with  the  other  proprietors  (except  Lord  Gran- 
ville),* surrendered  in  1729,  theii-  rights  to  the  English  Crown. 
(George  II.) 

It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  counties  Martin  and  Washing- 
ton, east  by  Hyde  and  Pamlico  River  and  Sound,  south  by  Craven 
County,  and  west  by  Pitt  County. 

*  See  act  of  surreader,  Revised  Statutes,  ii.  466. 


BEAUFORT  COUNTY.  29  . 

Its  population,  from  census  of  1850,  is  7,663  whites;  904  free  negroes-, 
5,249  slaves;  11,716  federal  population;  1,317  persons  over  twenty,  who  can- 
not read  or  write. 

Its  products,  from  census  of  1840,  are  6,333  bushels  of  wheat ;  5,055  bushels 
of  oats:  153,522  bushels  of  corn  ;  87,180  pounds  of  cotton;  106,987  barrels 
of  tar,  pitch,  rosin  and  turpentine ;  4,300  barrels  of  fish. 

The  Amount  paid  by  Beaufort  to  the  Public  Treasury  for  taxes,  is  two 
thousand,  six  hundred  and  six  dollars. 

The  amount  received  by  Beaufort  from  the  Public  Treasury  for  common 
schools,  is  one  thousand  sis  hundred  and  thirty  dollars.  _  Bath,  the  ancient 
seat  of  government  on  the  north  side  of  Pamlico  River  is  in  this  county. 

The  inliabitants  of  Beaufort  were  distinguislied  for  their  early 
devotion  to  the  principles  of  liberty. 

■'  The  delegates  from  Beaufort  to  the  first  Congress,  which  met  at  Newbern 
in  1774,  we're  Roger  Ormond,  Thomas  Respiss,  and  William  Salter. 

The  delegates  in  1775,  which  met  at  Ilillsboro',  were  the  same,  with  John 
Patton,  and  Johx  Cowper. 

This  body  appointed  as  officers  to  the  regiment  of  this  county,  James 
Bonner,  Colonel;  Thomas  Bonner,  Lieutenant-Colonel;  Roger  Ormond,  1st 
Major;  AVm.  Brown,  2d  IMajor. 

The  delegates  to  the  Congress  of  1776,  which  met  at  Halifax,  and  formed 
our  Constitution,  were  John  Barrow,  Thomas  Respiss,  Francis  Jones, 
Thomas  Respiss,  Jr.,  Robert  Tripp. 

Hon.  Wm.  S.  Blackledge  represented  this  district  from  1803  to  1809,  from 
1811  to  1813,  from  1821  to  1823. 

Hon.  Henry  S.  Clark  represented  this  county  in  1834,  a  lawyer  by  pro- 
fession ;  Solicitor  in  1842,  and  a  member  of  Congress  in  1845-47. 

Hon.  Edward  Stanly  ret>resented  this  county  in  1844,  '46  and  ^48 ; 
Speaker  in  1848  ;  son  of  Hon.  John  Stanly  of  Newbern.  He  was  Attorney- 
General  In  1847,  and  in  Congress  from  1837  to  1843,  and  from  1849  to  1851, 
and  again  re-elected  to  1853.  As  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Commons  he  was 
able  and  impartial,  and  won  for  himself  the  approbation  of  all  parties. 

List  of  members  of  the  General  Assembly,  from  Beaufort,  from 
1776  to  1851:— 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1777.  Thomas  Respess,  Nathan  Keas,  William  Brown. 

1778.  Thomas  Respess,  Andrew  Ellison,  William  Brown. 

1779.  Thomas  Respess,  Robert  Trippe,  John  Kennedy. 
1780-  Thomas  Respess,  William  Brown,  Samuel  Willis. 

1781.  Wm.  Brown,  Charles  Crawford,  Thos.  A.  Grist. 

1782.  Wm.  Brown,  Richard  N.  Stevens,  John  G.  Blount. 

1783.  Wm.  Brown,  Thos.  Anderson,  John  G.  Blount. 

1784.  John  Smaw,  Thos.  Anderson,  John  G.  Blount. 

1785.  John  Smaw,  Thos.  Anderson,  John  G.  Blount. 

1786.  John  Bonner,  John  G.  Blount,  Henry  Smaw. 

1787.  John  Bonner,  Henry  Smaw,  John  G.  Blount. 

1788.  William  Brown,  Johu^G.  Blount,  H.  Smaw. 

1789.  William  Brown,  John  G.  Blount,  Richard  Grice. 

1791.  John  Kennedy,  Richard  Blackledge,  John  Lanier. 

1792.  R'd  Blackledge,  John  Lanier,  James  Bonner. 

1793.  R'd  Blackledge,  Charles  Crawford,  Frederic  Grist. 

1795.  R'd  Blackledge,  C.  Crawford,  F.  Grist. 

1796.  John  G.  Blount,  John  Kennedy,  jr.,  T.  Ellison. 

1797.  Hans  Patton,  F.  Grist,  Thomas  Ellison. 

1800.  H'y  S.  Bonner,  John  Kennedy,  Frederic  Grist. 

1801.  H.  S.  Bonner,  F.  Grist,  J.  Kennedy. 

1802.  H.  S.  Bonner,  F.  Grist,  Thomas  Ellison. 

1803.  H.  S.  Bonner,  F.  Grist,  T.  Ellison. 

1804.  N.  W.  Bonuer,  F.  Grist,  T.  Ellison. 


30 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

1805.  Thomas  Smaw, 

1806.  T.  Smaw, 

1807.  T.  Smaw, 

1808.  Frederic  Grist, 

1809.  F.  Grist, 

1810.  F.  Grist, 

1811.  F.  Grist, 

1812.  Thomas  Bowen, 

1813.  Stephen  Owens, 

1814.  Reading  Grist, 

1815.  R.  Grist, 

1816.  R.  Grist, 

1817.  R.  Grist, 

1818.  R.  Grist, 

1819.  .  Richard  Ilines, 

1821.  Jesse  Robeson, 

1822.  J.  0.  K.  Williams, 

1823.  J.  0.  K.  Williams, 

1824.  J.  0.  K.  A\llliams, 

1825.  J.  0.  K.  Williams, 

1826.  J.  0.  K.  Williams, 

1827.  J.  0.  K.  Williams, 

1828.  J.  0.  K.  Williams, 

1829.  Jos.  B.  Hinton, 

1830.  Jos.  B.  Hinton, 

1831.  A7.  S.  Rowland, 

1832.  Jos.  B.  Hinton, 

1833.  Wm.  E.  Smaw, 

1834.  J.  McWilliams, 

1835.  J.  0.  K.  Williams, 

1836.  J.  0.  K.  Williams, 
1838.  J.  0.  K.  Williams, 
1840.  AVilliam  Selby, 
1842.  W.  B.  Hodges, 
1844.  Joshua  Taylor, 
1846.  David  Carter, 
1848.  Thos.  D.  Smaw, 
1850.  A.  Grist, 


House  of  Commons. 

Stephen  Owens,  F.  Grist. 

F.  Grist,  S.  Owens. 

James  Williams,  F.  Grist. 

J.  AVilliams,  Jonathan  Marsh. 

J.  Williams,  Thomas  Boyd. 

J.  Williams,  T.  Boyd. 

James  Latham,  Everard  Hall. 

George  Boyd,  J.  Latham. 

William  Worsley,  Slade  Pearce. 

J.  0.  K.  Williams,  George  Boyd. 

J.  0.  K.  Williams,  Thos.  Latham. 

J.  0.  K.  Williams,  Wm.  Vines. 

Thomas  Latham,  Wm.  Vines. 

T.  Latham,  Jesse  Robeson. 

J.  Robeson,  John  S.  Smallwood. 

Thos.  V,\  Blackledge,  J.  Adams. 

T.  W.  Blackledge,  W.  Ormond. 

W.  Ormond,  T.  W.  Blackledge. 

T.  W.  Blackledge,  James  SatchwelL 

Thomas  Ellison,  Wm.  A.  Blount. 

W.  A.  Blount,  T.  Ellison. 

W.  A.  Blount,  T.  W.  Blackledge. 

T.  Latham,  T.  AV.  Blackledge. 

S.  Smallwood,  J.  AV.  AVilliams. 

S.  Smallwood,  J.  AV.  AVilliams. 

Richard  H.  Bonner,  David  0.  Freeman. 

Richard  Bonner,  Henry  S.  Clark. 

AVm.  L.  Kennedv,  S.  Smallwood. 

Ilenrv  S.  Clark.  "S.  Smallwood. 

H.  S.' Clark,  S.  Smallwood.  ' 

F.  C.  Satterthwaite,  S.  Smallwood. 

AV.  A.  Blount,  Jno.  McAViiliams. 

J.  O.  K.  AVilliams,  Sh.  P.  Allen. 

Sh.  P.  Allen,  J.  AV.  AVilliams. 

Edward  Stanly,  Frederic  Grist. 

Edward  Stanly,  Thomas  D.  Smaw. 

Edward  Stanly,  AV.  AV.  Hayman. 

Jesse  Stubbs,  AA''m.  H.  Tripp. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


BERTIE  COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation,  origin  of  name,  situation,  and  boundaries— Windsor, 
county  town — Population  and  products — Delegates  in  1774  and  1775 — 
Military  officers  in  1776 — Life,  character,  services  and  political  career  of 
David  Stone,  a  native  of  Bertie — Other  distinguished  citizens — List  of 
members  of  General  Assembly. 

Bertie  Avas  formed  as  early  as  1722,  from  Albemarle  County 
(now  abolished),  and  derives  its  name  from  James  and  John  Bertie, 
in  whom  the  proprietary  rights  of  the  Earl  of  Clarendon  vested. 


BERTIE  COUNTY.  31 

Their  names  appear  in  the  deed  of  surrender  in  1729  of  theii-  rights 
to  the  crown.* 

It  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded  on 
the  north  by  the  County  of  Hertford;  east  by  the  Chowan  River, 
which  separates  it  from  Chowan  County ;  south  by  the  Roanoake 
River,  which  separates  it  from  the  County  of  Martin ;  and  west  hj 
a  part  of  Northampton  County  and  the  Roanoake  River,  which 
separates  it  from  Halifax  County. 

Windsor  is  its  capital  town,  beautifully  situated  on  the  Cashie 
River,  and  navigable  for  vessels. 

Rs  population,  5344  whites;  313  free  negroes;  7194  slaves;  9973  federal 
population ;  1032  persons  who  cannot  read  or  write. 

Its  products,  2839  bushels  wheat;  545,282  bushels  corn;  2,121,449  pounds 
cotton  ;  12,352  pounds  wool ;  25,885  barrels  fish  ;  22,439  barrels  turpentine. 

The  amount  paid  by  Bertie  as  taxes  into  the  public  treasury  is  two  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  twenty-six  dollars. 

The  amount  received  by  Bertie  for  common  schools  from  the  treasury  is 
one  thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty-one  dollars. 

The  County  of  Bertie  was  early  distinguished  for  its  devotion  to 
liberty. 

To  the  assemblage  of  patriots  which  met  at  Newbern,  25th  August,  1774, 
John  Campbell  was  a  delegate. 

To  the  assembly  which  met  in  1775,  atHillsboro',  the  delegates  were  Wil- 
liam Gray,  Jonathan  Jaycocks,  Charles  Jaycocks,  William  Brimmage, 
William  Bryan,  Zedekiah  Stone,  Thomas  Ballard,  Peter  Clifton,  David 
Standly,  John  Campbell,  John  Johnston. 

The  officers  elected  by  this  assembly  for  Bertie,  were  Thomas  Whitmell, 
Colonel,  Thomas.  Pogh,  Lieut.-Colonel,  James   Moore,  1st  Major,  Arthur 

Brown,  2d  Major.  ,    i       tt  tp 

The  delegates  from  Bertie  to  the  State  Congress  that  assembled  at  llalitax 
12th  November,  177G,  which  formed  our  Constitution,  were  Thomas  Pugh, 
John  Johnston,  William  Gray,  Noah  Hinton,  Zedekiah  Stone. 

Captain  Jacob  Turner,  of  this  county,  went  with  General  Nash  m  the 
army  of  the  Revolution,  and  fell  with  him,  at  the  battle  of  Germantown,  in 
1777.  Over  his  grave,  a  marble,  erected  by  the  patriotism  of  the  citizens  of 
Germantown,  aided  by  the  generous  efi'orts  of  John  F.  Watson,  Esq.,  author 
of  the  "  Annals  of  Pennsylvania,"  reads  thus: — 

honor  to  the  brave. 

Hie  jacet  in  pace. 

Colonel  Henry  Irwin,  of  North  Carolina, 

Captain  Turner, 

Adjutant  Lucas  and  six  soldiers, 

Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Germantown. 

one  cause,  one  grave. 

The  thanks  of  the  State  are  due  to  Mr.  Watson,  for  the  act  of  generosity 
in  thus  rescuing  the  names  and  pointing  out  the  spot  where  these  martyrs  to 
the  cause  of  Liberty  sleep. 

The  stranger  came,  and  found  the  soldier's  grave; 

On  honor's  page  he  saw  the  glorious  name, 
And  raised  this  fond  memorial  to  his  fame. 

Zedekiah  Stone,  of  this  County,  had  early  emigrated  from  England.  He 
was  a  merchant  on  the  Cashie  Biver,  and  was  the  father  of  David  Stone, 

*  See'  Deed  of  Surrender,  Revised  Statutes,  ii.  466. 


32  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

•who  is  so  distinguished  as  a  Judge,  Governor,  Senator  in  Congress,  in  the 
History  of  North  Carolina,  that  his  life  and  services  deserve  our  attention. 

Dayid  Stone  was  born  in  Bertie  County,  on  17th  February,  1770,  at  Hope, 
about  five  miles  from  Windsor,  on  the  Halifax  road. 

His  elementary  education  was  as  good  as  the  country  afforded.  After  his 
academic  studies  were  finished  he  entered  Princeton  College,  vehere  by  his 
assiduity  and  genius  he  became  distinguished.  He  graduated  at  that  re- 
nowned institution  in  1788  with  the  first  honors  of  the  college. 

He  studied  law  at  Halifax  under  General  Wm.  R.  Davie,  whose  experience, 
talents,  and  learning,  were  admirably  adapted  to  prepare  him  for  the  conflicts 
of  the  forum  and  the  bar. 

In  1790  he  received  a  license  to  practice  law,  and  from  his  assiduity  in  his 
profession,  his  deep  and  varied  acquirements,  he  soon  rose  to  the  highest  ranks 
of  the  profession.  From  his  suavity  of  manners  he  became  a  favorite  with 
the  people. 

He  early  embarked  on  the  stormy  sea  of  political  life,  and  he  was  destined 

to  a  distinguished  career.  -  •; 

In  1791  he  was  elected  to  the  General  Assembly,  a  member  of  the  Hoase 

of  Commons,  as  also  in  1792,  '93  and  '94.     He  was  Judge  of  the  Supreme 

Court  from  1795  to  1798. 

In  1799  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  Con- 
gress. 

In  1801  he  was  elected  by  the  Legislature  a  member  of  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States.  In  this  capacity  he  served  until  1806,  when  he  was  elected  a 
Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court;  which,  he  resigned  in  1808,  on  being  elected 
Governor  of  the  State. 

In  1811  he  appeared  in  the  Legislature  again  as  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Commons  from  Bertie.  He  distinguished  himself  this  session  by  advocacy 
of  a  bill  transferring  the  choice  of  electors  for  the  Presidency  from  the 
people  to  the  Legislature,  which  was  opposed  by  Duncan  Cameron,  John 
Steele,  and  others. 

The  nest  session  he  introduced  a  resolution  proposing  to  choose  electors  by 
the  general  ticket  system.  This  too  was  opposed  by  Duncan  Cameron,  John 
Stanly,  and  others,  and  his  proposition  failed.  He  opposed  the  plan  of  John 
Phifer,  as  to  the  district  system,  which  was  adopted  at  the  time. 

At  this  session  he  was  elected  again  Senator  in  Congress,  for  six  years, 
from  4th  March,  1813. 

This  was  a  most  stormy  period.  The  war  which  had  been  declared  with 
Great  Britain,  then  raged  with  all  its  fury.  Parties  were  violently  excited. 
The  republicans  were  for  sustaining  the  war  with  men,  money,  and  every 
means  in  their  power.  Being  elected  as  a  decided  republican,  it  was  ex- 
pected that  Gov.  Stone  would  give  Mr.  Madison  a  cordial  and  unwavering 
support,  and  advocate  the  war  measures  of  the  administration. 

He  differed  from  his  colleague.  Gov.  Turner,  and  the  Republican  party  on 
many  leading  questions  ;  the  bill  authorizing  a  direct  tax,  the  embargo  re- 
commended by  the  President  (Mr.  Madison),  and  other  measures. 
This  called  down  the  reproof  of  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina. 
In  December  1814,  Mr.  Branch,  in  State  Senate,  from  the  committee  on  the 
subject,  reported  that  "the  conduct  of  Mr.  Stone  had  been  in  opposition  to 
his  profession,  and  jeopardized  the  safety  and  interest  of  the  country,  and 
incurred  the  disapprobation  of  the  General  Assembly." 
This  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  40  to  18. 

The  names  of  the  minority  are  :  Bender,  Bodenhamer,  Caldwell,  Fuller,  Foy, 
Einton,  Johnson,  McKinny,  Murphy,  Parker,  R.  Smith,  Speight,  Shade,  Stewart, 
J.  Smith,  Wri'jht,  J.  Williams,  R.  Williams. 

This  caused  him  to  resign.  He  seems  never  to  have  recovered  his  position 
with  his  party  or  his  influence  in  the  State. 

He  was  twice  married ;  by  the  first  marriage  he  had  several  children  (.one 
son  only,  who  was  Cashier  of  the  Branch  Bank  of  Cape  Fear  at  Raleigh,  now 
dead) ;  by  the  second  marriage  he  left  no  children.     He  died  in  Oct.  1818. 


BERTIE  COUNTY. 


33 


Equally  gifted,  if  less  successful  in  public  life,  in  Bertie,  was  William 
Cherry.  He  was  educated  at  Chapel  Hill,  and  graduated  at  that  Institution 
in  1800.  He  studied  law,  and  became  distinguished  in  his  profession.  In 
1805,  he  was  a  member  in  the  Commons  from  Bertie.  Efforts  are  being 
made  to  procure  information  as  to  life,  cai-eer,  and  end  of  this  brilliant  genius, 
which  another  edition  of  this  work  will  present. 

George  Outlaw  also  lived  and  died  in  this  county.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  House  of  Commons,  in  179G  ;  and  of  the  Senate  in  1807  and  '08,  and 
often  afterwards ;  and  a  member  of  Congress,  in  182-i  and  1825  ;  was  dis- 
tinguished for  his  amiable  manners,  unsullied  character,  and  piety  of  life. 

These  have  numerous  connections  now  in  Bertie,  to  whom  their  reputation 
and  services  are  dear,  and  whose  virtues  are  left  for  their  imitation  and  emu- 
lation. 

William  W.  Cherry  was  a  native  of  Bertie,  and  as  distinguished  for  his 
benevolence  in  private,  as  for  his  ability  in  public  life.  He  was  raised  as  a 
merchant,  taught  school,  and  at  mature  age  studied  law,  and  practiced  with 
great  success.  He  was  elected  to  the  Senate  in  1838,  and  to  the  House  of 
Commons  in  1844.  In  1845,  he  was  nominated  as  member  of  Congress,  and 
had  not  death  terminated  his  life  at  Jackson,  while  attending  Northampton 
Superior  Court  (2d  May,  1845),  his  career  would  have  been  useful  and  bril- 
liant.    He  died  in  the  39th  year  of  his  age. 

David  Outlaw  is  a  resident  and  native  of  Bertie.  He  was  educated  at 
the  University.  He  graduated  in  1824,  in  a  class  composed  of  John  Bragg, 
late  a  judge  in  Mobile,  and  recently  elected  member  of  Congress  from  the 
Mobile  district,  Alabama;  William  A.  Graham,  now  Secretary  of  the  Navy; 
Matthias  E.  Manly,  now  a  judge  of  our  Superior  Courts  ;  Augustus  Moore, 
late  of  Edenton,  late  Judge  of  our  Superior  Court;  Thomas  Dews,  and  others. 
In  this  galaxy  of  talent  Mr.  Outlaw  was  not  obscure. 

He  read  law  at  Newbern,  with  Judge  Gaston  ;  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1827 ; 
Elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1832,  and  again  in  1833  and  1834; 
Solicitor  of  Edenton  Circuit  in  1836,  and  member  of  Congress  in  1848,  for 
which  distinguished  post  he  is  again  re-elected  (August  1851). 

Many  other  names  might  be  named  who  have  "  done  the  State 
some  service,"  and  in  another  edition  accurate  sketches  of  them  will 
be  presented. 

Members  of  General  Assembly  from  Bertie  County,  from  1777 
to  1851. 


Years.  Senators. 

1777.  Zed.  Stone, 

1778.  Zed.  Stone, 

1779.  Zed.  Stone, 

1780.  Jon.  Jacocks, 

1781.  Jon.  Jacocks, 

1782.  Jon.  Jacocks, 

1783.  Jon.  Jacocks, 

1784.  Jon.  Jacocks, 

1785.  Jon.  .Jacocks, 

1786.  Zed.  Stone, 

1787.  John  Johnston, 

1788.  John  .Johnston, 

1789.  John  Johnston, 

1790.  Francis  Pugh, 

1791.  Jasper  Charlton, 

1792.  .Jasper  Charlton, 

1793.  .Jasper  Charlton, 

1794.  John  Wolfendon, 

1795.  John  Wolfendon, 

1796.  Timothy  Walton, 


Members  of  House  of  Commons. 
William  Jordan,  Simon  Turner. 
William  .Jordan,  James  Campbell. 
John  Pugh  Williams,  Jonathan  Jacocks. 
William  Horn,  David  Turner. 
William  Horn,  David  Turner. 
William  Horn,  David  Turner. 
William  Horn,  David  Turner. 
Zed.  Stone,  Andrew  Oliver. 
Thomas  Collins,  Andrew  Oliver. 
Thomas  Collins,  Andrew  Oliver. 
Andrew  Oliver,  William  Horn. 
William  Horn,  Francis  Pugh. 
William  Horn,  Francis  Pugh. 
David  Stone,  David  Turner. 
David  Stone,  William  J.  Dawson. 
David  Stone,  Tristam  Lowtlicr. 
David  Stone,  John  Wolfendon. 
Jonathan  Jacocks,  David  Stone. 
Jonathan  Jacocks,  John  Johnston. 
George  Outlaw,  John  Johnston. 


34 


HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senators. 

1797.  Francis  Pugh, 

1800.  John  Johnston, 

1801.  Jona.  Jacocks, 

1802.  George  Outlaw, 

1803.  Henry  Peterson, 

1804.  Joseph  -Jordan, 

1805.  Joseph  Jordan, 

1806.  George  Outlaw, 

1807.  George  Outlaw, 

1808.  George  Outlaw, 

1809.  Joseph  Jordan, 

1810.  George  Outlaw, 

1811.  George  Outlaw, 

1812.  George  Outlaw, 

1813.  George  Outlaw, 

1814.  George  Outlaw, 

1815.  "\Vm.  Sparkman, 

1816.  Wm.  Sparkman, 

1817.  George  Outlaw, 

1818.  Thos.  L.  West, 

1819.  Wm.  Hinton, 

1821.  George  Outlaw, 

1822.  George  Outlaw, 

1823.  George  B.  Outlaw, 

1824.  George  B.  Outlaw, 

1825.  Jehu  XichoUs, 

1826.  Wm.  Gilliam, 

1827.  George  0.  Askew, 

1828.  George  0.  Askew, 

1829.  George  0.  Askew, 

1830.  George  0.  Askew, 

1831.  George  0.  Askew, 

1832.  George  0.  Askew, 

1833.  A.  W.  Mebane, 

1834.  A.  W.  Mebane, 

1835.  A.  W.  Mebane, 

1836.  A.  W.  Mebane, 
1838.  Wm.  W.  Cherry, 
1840.  Lewis  Bond, 
1842.  Jas.  S.  Mitchell, 
1844.  Lewis  Thompson, 
1846.  J.  R.  Gilliam, 
1848.  Lewis  Thompson, 
1850.  Lewis  Bond, 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

George  Outlaw,  J.  B.  .Jordan. 
Joseph  Jordan,  Thomas  Fitts. 
Henry  K.  Peterson,  Joseph  Eason. 
James  W.  Clark,  Henry  Peterson. 
James  W.  Clark,  James  Tunstall. 
William  Cherry,  Joseph  H.  Bryan. 
William  Cherry,  Joseph  H.  Bryan. 
Prentis  Law,  Joseph  Eason. 
Joseph  H.  Bryan,  -Joseph  Eason. 
Joseph  H.  Bryan,  J.  Eason. 
Joseph  H.  Bryan,  Geo.  L.  Ryan. 
George  L.  Ryan,  Thomas  Speller. 
David  Stone,  William  Sparkman. 
David  Stone,  William  Sparkman. 
Timothy  Walton,  Whit.  H.  Pugh. 
William  Sparkman,  Whit.  H.  Pugh. 
Wm.  H.  Pugh,  Jonathan  .Jacocks. 
Simon  A.  Bryan,  J.  H.  Jacocks. 
Thos.  L.  West,  J.  H.  .Jacocks. 
William  Hinton,  -Joseph  .Jordan. 
Geo.  B.  Outlaw,  Simon  A.  Bryan. 
Robert  C.  AYatson,  Thos.  Brickell. 
Thomas  Brickell,  Simon  A.  Bryan. 
James  G.  Mhoon,  S.  A.  Bryan. 
Wm.  H.  Rascoe,  J.  G.  Mhoon. 
William  H.  Rascoe,  J.  G.  Mhoon. 
J.  G.  Mhoon,  Joseph  D.  White. 
Thomas  H.  Speller,  J.  D.  White. 
Joseph  Watford,  Wm.  S.  Mhoon. 
Wm.  S.  Mhoon,  Alexander  W.  Mebane. 
W.  S.  Mhoon,  A.  W.  Mebane. 
Lewis  Thompson,  David  Outlaw. 
David  Outlaw,  Thomas  -J.  Pugh. 
David  Outlaw,  Thomas  J.  Pugh. 
David  Outlaw,  Thomas  -J.  Pugh. 
-John  F.  Lee,  Thomas  H.  Speller. 
John  F.  Lee,  Thomas  H.  Speller. 
Lewis  Bond,  -James  R.  Rayner. 
Lewis  Thompson,  -John  R.  Gilliam. 
James  R.  Rayner,  .John  F.  Lee. 
W.  W.  Cherry,  Lewis  Bond. 
John  X.  Bond,  Richard  0.  Britton. 
J.  B.  Cherry,  K.  Biggs. 
J.  B.  Cherry,  P.  H. 'Winston. 


BLADEN  COUNTY.  35 


CHAPTER  VII. 


BLADEN  COUNTY. 


Date  of  its  formation,  origin  of  its  name— Situation  and  boundaries-~ElIza' 
bethtown  its  Capital — Population  and  Products— Climate — Colonial  and 
Revolutionary  History — Delegates  to  first  Provincial  Congress  at  Newbern, 
in  1774— Delegates  to  the  second,  in  1775— Delegates  to  the  Assembly,  in 
1776,  which  formed  our  Constitution — Documents  relative  to  the  battle 
at  Elizabethtown,  July,  1781,  between  the  Whigs  under  Colonel  Thomas 
Brown,  afterwards  General,  and  the  Tories,  commanded  by  Cols.  Slingsby, 
and  Godden — Her  distinguished  citizens,  and  a  list  of  her  members  in  the 
General  Assembly,  from  1774  to  1851. 

Bladen  County  was  formed  as  early  as  1734,  from  New  Hanover 
County,  and  comprehended  at  the  time  the  whole  western  portion 
of  the  State  as  far  as  the  limits  of  North  Carolina  extended. 

It  was  so  called  in  honor  of  Martin  Bladen,  one  of  the  Lords 
Commissioners  of  Trade  and  Plantations.* 

It  is  situated  in  the  south-eastern  part  of  North  Carolina,  and 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  county  of  Cumberland,  and  South 
River,  which  separates  it  from  Sampson  County ;  on  the  east  by  the 
same  river,  which  separates  it  from  New  Hanover  County ;  on  the 
south  by  the  counties  of  Brunswick,  and  Columbus ;  and  on  the 
west  by  the  county  of  Robeson. 

Elizabethtown,  ks  capital,  is  situated  on  the  Cape  Fear  River, 
and  distant  from  Raleigh  99  miles. 

Population,  5,055  whites;  354  free  negroes;  4,358  slaves ;  8,023  rep.  popu- 
lation ;  593  persons  who  cannot  read  or  write. 

Products  1549  bushels  of  wheat;  4,954  bushels  of  oats ;  180,705  bushels  of 
corn;  58,193  pounds  cotton;  7,574  pounds  wool;  14,281  barrels  turpentine; 
$44,868  of  lumber. 

Its  climate  is  mild  and  salubrious.  Its  effect  may  be  judged, 
from  the  fact  that  in  1840,  the  oldest  man  on  the  census  of  that 
decade,  William  Prigden,  lived  in  this  county.  He  was  then  112 
years  of  age,  and  died  aged  122. 

There  is  no  portion  of  the  State  that  was  more  determined  or 
devoted  to  the  cause  of  Liberty,  than  was  Bladen,  in  the  early 
periods  of  our  history.  In  no  portion  was  the  advocacy  of  the 
cause  attended  with  greater  peril,  from  the  number  of  Tories,  and 
the  vicinity  of  the  enemy's  forces. 

To  the  first  Assembly  of  Patriots  (at  Newbern'  in  1774,  the  delegates  from 
Bladen  were,  William' Salter,  and  Walter  Gibson. 

*  Martin's  History  of  North  Carolina,  ii.  15. 


36  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

The  delegates  in  1775  were  (at  Hillsboro'),  Thomas  Owen,  Thomas  Robe- 
son, Jr.,  and  Nathaniel  Richardson. 

The  delegates  in  1716  (Halifax),  which  formed  our  Bill  of  Rights  and  Con- 
stitution, were  Thouas  Robeson,  Thomas  Owen,  Thomas  Amis,  and  James 
Council. 

The  oiEcers  appointed  in  1775  for  this  county,  were  Thomas  Robeson,  Jr., 
Colonel;  Thomas  Brown,  Lieut. -Colonel ;  Thomas  Owen,  1st  Major;  James 
Richardson,  2d  Major. 

This  county  was  signalized  by  being  the  scene  of  a  bloody  battle 
between  the  friends ^of  Liberty  and  the  Tories,  at  or  near  Elizabeth- 
town. 

It  was  fought  in  July  1781 ;  the  friends  of  liberty  were  led  on  by 
Thomas  Brown,  and  the  Tories  commanded  by  Cols.  Slingsby  and 
Godden.  The  situation  of  the  county  was  deplorable.  The  Tories 
had  overrun  every  portion ;  their  opponents  had  been  driven  out  of 
the  county,  their  homes  ravaged,  and  houses  burned.  About  60 
had  taken  refuge  in  Duplin ;  hungry,  naked,  and  homeless,  exaspe- 
rated to  madness,  they  resolved  to  drive  the  Tories  from  their  posts 
or  die  in  the  attempt.  The  Tories,  to  the  number  of  about  three 
hundred,  had  taken  position  at  Elizabethtown.  Colonel  Brown  and 
his  brave  men  marched  fifty  miles  through  a  wilderness,  subsisting 
on  jerked  beef  and  scanty  bread.  They  forded  the  Cape  Fear, 
and  at  night  (when  the  disparity  of  the  force  could  not  be  perceived), 
made  a  furious  onset  on  the  Tories,  drove  in  their  guards,  and 
after  a  bloody  resistance,  in  which  their  commander  Slingsby  was 
mortally  wounded  and  Godden  killed,  the  Tories  commenced  a  re- 
treat ;  a  large  number  rushed  wildly  over  every  obstacle  and  leaped 
into  a  deep  gulley  which  has  ever  since  borne  the  name  of  the 
"  Tory  Hole." 

This  brilliant  affair  ended  the  Tory  power  in  Bladen. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  record  more  enduring  ma^y  be  pro- 
cured that  will  present  this  battle  in  its  true  colors  to  posterity. 
With  every  exertion  there  has  been  but  little  procured,  but  enough 
to  show  the  cliivalric  daring  of  its  leaders,  and  the  firmness  of  the 
sons  of  Bladen. 

The  following  extracts,  from  the  papers  of  the  present  day,  may 
induce  others  to  search  some  record  made  at  the  time,  and  hand  to 
the  present  age,  as  "a  rich  legacy,"  the  glowing  record  of  this 
brilliant  achievement. 


From  the  Wilmington  Chronicle. 
BATTLE  OF  ELIZABETHTOWN. 

[WJdgs  of  Kew  Hanover,  Bladen,  and  Duplin — Col.  Thomas  Brown — Tories 
at  Elizabethtown — The  Whigs,  after  a  forced  march,  wade  the  Cape  Fear  and 
rout  the  enemy  in  the  night — The  leaders  of  the  Highland  Scotchmen  [Slings- 
by and  Godden)  slain — The  Tory  Hole — General  Waddel,  Owen,  Morchead, 
Robeson  and  Ervine.] 

Bladen  Countt,  February  2\st,  1844. 

A.  A.  Brown,  Esq.  :  _ 

Dear  Sir — Yours  of  the  3d  inst.  was  received,  soliciting  such  information 

as  I  possessed,  or  may  be  able  to  collect  respecting  the  battle  fought  at  Eliza- 


BLADEN  COUNTY.  37 

bethtown,  during  our  revolutionary  struggle,  between  the  Whigs  and  Tories. 
I  have  often  regretted  that  the  actions  and  skirmishes  which  occurred  in  this 
and  New  Hanover  County,  should  have  been  overlooked  by  historians.     The 
battle  of  Elizabethtown  deserves  a  place  in  history,  and  ought  to  be  recol- 
lected by  every  true-hearted  North  Carolinian  with  pride  and  pleasure.    Here 
sixty  men,  driven  from  their  homes,  their  estates  ravaged,  and  houses  plun- 
dered, who  had  taken  refuge  with  the  Whigs  of  Duplin,  without  funds,  and 
bare  of  clothing,  resolved  to  return,  fight,  conquer,  or  die.     After  collecting 
all  the  ammunition  they  could,  they  embodied  and   selected  Col.  Thomas 
Brown  to  command.     They  marched  fifty  miles  through  almost  a  wilderness 
country,  before  they  reached  the  river,  subsisting  on  jerked  beef  and  a  scanty 
supply  of  bread.    The  Tories  had  assembled,  three  hundred  or  more,  at  Eliza- 
bethtown, and  were  commanded  by  Slingsby  and  Godden  ;  the  former  was  a 
talented  man,  and  well  fitted  for  his  station  ;*  the  latter,  bold,  daring  and  reck- 
less, ready  to  risk  everything  to  put  down  the  Whigs.     Every  precautionary 
measure  -was  adopted  to  prevent  surprise,  and  ta  render  this  the  stronghold 
of  Toryism.     Not  a  boat  was  suffered  to  remain  on  the  east  side  of  the  river. 
Guards  and  sentries  were  regularly  detached  and  posted.     When  the  little 
band  of  Whig  heroes,  after  nightfall,  reached  the  river,  not  a  boat  was  to  be 
found  ;  but  it  must  be  crossed,  and  that  speedily  ;  its  depth  was  ascertained 
by  some  who  were  tall  and  expert  swimmers  ;  they  to  a  man  cried  out,  "  it  is 
fordable,  we  can,  we  will  cross  it."     Not  a  murmur  was  heard,  and  without 
a  moment's  delay,  they  all  undressed,  tied  their  clothing  and  ammunition  on 
their  heads  (baggage  they  had  none),  each  man  grasping  the  barrel  of  his 
gun,  raised  the  breech  so  as  to  keep  the  lock  above  water,  descended  the 
banks,  and  entered  the  river.     The  taller  men  found  less  difficulty ;  those  of 
lower  stature,  were  scarcely  able  to  keep  their  mouths  and  noses  above  vrater ; 
but  all  safely  reached  the  opposite  shore,  resumed  their  dress,  fixed  their 
arms  for  action,  made  their  way  through  the  low-grounds,  then  thickly  set 
with  cane,  ascended  the  hills,  which  were  high  and  precipitous,  crossed  the 
King's  road  leading  through  the  town,  and  took  a  position  in  its  rear.     Here 
they  formed,  and  in  about  two  hours  after  crossing  a  mile  below,  commenced 
a  furious  attack,  driving  in  the  Tory  sentries  and  guards ;  they  continued 
rapidly  to  advance,  keeping  up  a  brisk  and  well-directed  fire,  and  were  soon  in 
the  midst  of  the  foe,  mostly  Highland  Scotchmen,  as  brave,  as  loyal,  and  high- 
minded,  as  any  of  his  Majesty's  subjects  ;  so  sudden  and  violent  an  onset  for 
the  moment  produced  disorder  ;  but  they  were  rallied  by  their  gallant  leader, 
and  made  for  a  while  the  most  determined  resistance.     Slingsliy  fell  mortally 
wounded,  and  Godden  was  killed,  with  most  of  the  officers  of  inferior  grade. 
They  retreated,  some  taking  refuge  in  houses,  others,  the  largest  portion,  leap- 
ing pell-mell  into  a  deep  ravine,  since  called  the  Tory  Hole.    As  the  Tories  had 
unlimited  sway  from  the  river  to  Little  Pee  Dee,  the  Whigs  re-crossed,  taking 
with  them  their  wounded.    Such  was  the  general  panic  produced  by  this  action, 
the   Tories  became  dispirited,  and  never  after  were  so  troublesome.     The 
Whigs  soon  returned  to  their  homes  in  safety.     In  the  death  of  Slingsby,  the 
Tories  were  deprived  of  an  officer  whose  place  it  was  difficult  to  fill ;  but  few 
were  equal  to  Godden  in  partisan  warfare. 

This  battle  was  fought  mostly  by  river  planters,  men  who  had  sacrificed 
much  for  their  country.  To  judge  of  it  correctly,  it  should  not  be  forgotten 
that  the  country  from  Little  Pee  Dee  to  the  Catawba,  was  overrun  by  the 
Tories ;  Wilmington  was  in  possession  of  the  British,  and  Cross  Creek  of  the 
Tories.  Thus  situated,  the  attack  made  on  them  at  Elizabethtown  assumed 
much  of  the  character  of  a  forlorn  hope;  had  the  Whigs  not  succeeded,  they 
must  have  been  cut  off  to  a  man.  If  they  had  fled  to  the  South,  thou^^ands 
would  have  arisen  to  destroy  them  ;  if  to  the  Eastward,  the  Tories  in  that 
case,  flushed  with  victory,  would  have  intercepted  their  retreat,  and  they 
would  have  sought  in  vain  their  former  asylum.  This  action  produced,  in 
this  part  of  North  Carolina,  as  sudden  and  as  happy  results  as  the  battles  of 
Trenton  and  Princeton,  in  New  Jersey.  The  contest  was  unequal,  but  valor 
supplied  the  place  of  numbers.  It  is  due  to  Colonel  Brown,  who  when 
a  youth,  marched  with  General  Waddcl  from   Bladen,  and  fought  under 


38  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Governor  Tryon  at  the  battle  of  Alamance,  and  was  afterwards  wounded  at 
the  Great  Bridge,  under  General  Howe,  near  Norfolk,  Virginia,  to  say  he 
fully  realized  the  expectations  of  his  friends,  and  the  wishes  of  those  who 
selected  him  to  command  ;  and  when  the  history  of  our  State  shall  be  writ- 
ten, this  action  alone,  apart  from  his  chivalric  conduct  at  the  Great  Bridge, 
will  place  him  by  the  side  of  his  compatriots,  Horry,  Marion,  and  Sumpter, 
of  the  South.  It  must,  it  will  form  an  interesting  page  in  our  history,  on 
which  the  young  men  of  North  Carolina  will  delight  to  dwell.  It  is  an 
achievement  which  bespeaks  not  only  the  most  determined  bravery,  but 
great  military  skill.  The  most  of  these  men,  like  the  Ten  thousand  Greeks, 
were  fitted  to  command.  Owen  had  fought  at  Camden,  Morehead  commanded 
the  nine-months'  men  sent  to  the  South  ;  Robeson  and  Ervine  were  the  Percys 
of  the  Whigs,  and  might  justly  be  called  the  Hotspurs  of  Cape  Fear. 

The  foregoing  narrative  was  detailed  to  me  by  two  of  the  respectable  com- 
batants, who  now  sleep  with  their  fathers;  the  .substance  of  which  I  have 
endeavored  to  preserve  with  all  the  accuracy  a  memory  not  very  retentive 

will  permit.  ,     .    -  ■,  .,.   . 

A  respectable  resident  of  Elizabethtown  has  recently  informed  me  that 
he  was  a  small  boy  at  the  time  of  the  battle,  and  lived  with  his  mother  in  one 
of  the  houses  to  which  the  Tories  repaired  for  safety ;  that  he  has  a  distinct 
recollection  of  the  fire  of  the  Whigs,  which  appeared  like  one  continued 
stream.     Documentary  evidence  I  have  none. 

With  great  respect,  &c.,  . 


[From  the  Raleigh  Independent.] 
REVOLUTIONARY  HISTORY. 


\  Commentary  on  tJie  preceding  account  of  the  Battle  of  EUzahetlitoimi — Military 
skill  of  Col.  Broum—Whig\tratagems~Oiuen,  Morehead  and  Roheson — Ruse 
de  guerre  and  Coup  de  main,  subsequently  explained  by  Gen.  Broicn—Best 
mode  of  collecting  materials  for  history— Reference  to  the  late  Gen.  Davis,  of 
Fayettecille.^ 
To  the  Editor  of  the  Wilmington  Chronicle : — 

Sir My  attention  was  directed  by  a  friend  to  an  article  in  your  paper  of 

the  5th  inst.,  headed  Battle  of  Elizabethtown. 

The  distinguished  gentleman  who  furnished  you  with  an  account  of  the 
battle,  I  have  no  doubt,  gave  it  to  you  as  he  received  it ;  but  his  informant 
overlooked  the  particulars  which  characterized  it ;  and  which  establish  its 
claim  to  be  ranked  with  those  actions  of  our  revolutionary  struggle  that 
exhibited  military  skill.  According  to  the  showing  of  your  correspondent,  it 
was  an  attack  of  great  daring,  and  executed  with  astonishing  secrecy  and 
dispatch.  But  these,  though  among  the  elements  of  war,  do  not  necessarily 
imply  military  talents  ;  nor  can  they  aspire  to  that  glory  which  is  the  crown- 
in  <^  privilege  of  military  enterprise.  On  the  contrary,  the  actors  might  have 
forfeited  afl  the  applause,  which  is  due  to  their  valor,  by  the  wa,nt  of  pro- 
spective measures.  And  the  discriminating  annalist  might  deem  it  his  duty 
to  note  this  achievement  as  the  lucky  termination  of  a  desperate  adventure, 
in  which  the  passions  had  more  to  do  than  the  intellect,  and  which  deserved 
consideration  merely  as  the  accidental,  but  efficient  cause,  of  important  con- 
sequences to  the  country.  Suppose  that  heroic  band  had  attacked  the  strong- 
hold of  Toryism  tvithout  any  of  those  stratagems  and  expedients  which  an 
experienced  officer  knows  how  to  practice  ;  and  that  stronghold  containing  a 
numerical  force  at  least  five-fold  greater  than  their  own,  of  equal  intrepidity, 
and  under  an  officer  whose  aljilities  and  well-tried  courage,  inspired  with 
unaniniity  and  zeal  the  whole  of  his  garrison,  how  difi'erent  would  have  been 
the  result!  how  awful  the  consequences  !  a  forlorn  hope,  self-immolated,  and 
doomed  to  perish  !  The  band  would  have  been  cut  off'  in  this  wild  expedition 
of  uncalculating  temerity  ;  and  though  their  fate  would  have  been  deplored, 
they  would  neither  have'deserved  the  gratitude  of  their  country,  nor  merited 
the  panegyrics  of  history. 


BLADEN  COUNTY.  39 

The  sa;;acious  commander,  Col.  Brown,  did  not  act  thus.  He  did  not  com- 
mence an  expedition  without  a  plan  ;  and  without  looking  to  results,  and 
providing  for  contingencies.  Every  meditated  movement  was  arranged  and 
settled  with  exact  precision  ;  and  the  destruction  of  the  superior  officers  of 
the  garrison  determined  on  as  an  indispensal)le,  though  painful  measure,  to 
insure  the  victory.  Every  individual  was  made  perfectly  acquainted  with  his 
duty,  in  order  that  entire  concert  might  be  maintained  during  the  conflict. 

Your  correspondent's  narrative  is,  no  douht,  correct  as  to  the  advance  of 
the  "Whigs,  under  cover  of  night,  their  forming  in  the  rear  of  what  was  then 
called  the  King's  Road,  driving  in  the  outposts  and  sentries,  and  making  the 
onset  on  the  garrison.  Here,  his  deficiency  Avill  be  evident,  when  it  is  com- 
pared with  the  details  which  I  am  about  to  give. 

After  the  first  volley,  Col.  Brown,  with  six  officers,  who  for  the  want  of  a 
more  appropriate  word,  may  be  termed  his  stajf;  and  among  whom  were 
those  gallant  spirits,  Owen,  MoreJiead,  and  Robeson,  took  a  central  position, 
as  previously  arranged;  and  the  main  body  rushed  to  a  point,  at  a  specified 
distance,  on  his  right,  and  reloaded  with  ahnost  inconceivable  rapidity.  The 
words  of  command  were  tlien  heard  in  loud  and  distinct  tones.  On  the  right  I 
Col. />ocM'5  company  !  vVdvance!  (No  such  officer,  and  no  such  company 
being  present.)  The  main  body  advanced  and  fired,  wheeling,  rushed  to  a 
point  to  the  left,  and  reloaded  as  before  ;  and  the  order  was  given  in  the  same 
audible  voice.  On  the  left!  Col.  Gillespie's  com\)?iX\j\  Advance!  (No  such 
officer,  and  no  such  company  being  present.)  The  main  body  advanced  and 
fired.  Again.  On  the  right !  Col.  DicA'/H.yon's  company  !  Advance!  (The 
same  fiction  being  repeated.)  The  main  body  advanced  and  fired,  and  wlieel- 
ing,  rushed  to  the  designated  point.  Again.  On  the  left!  Major  Wrii/lU's 
company  !  Advance  !  (The  same  fiction  being  repeated.)  The  main  body 
advanced  and  fired. 

This  rtise  de  guerre  was  carried  on  until  the  Whig  band  was  multiplied  into 
ten  or  eleven  companies.  It  succeeded  in  making  an  impression  on  tlie  gar- 
rison, that  it  was  attacked  by  a  body  of  one  thousand  strong,  led  on  by  expe- 
rienced officers. 

The  self-possession  and  the  energy  with  which  the  orders  were  given,  and 
the  celerity  and  animation  with  which  they  were  executed,  under  circum- 
stances of  recent  fatigue  and  exposure,  are  almost  unparalled  in  history. 
During  the  time  occupied  in  these  evolutions,  Col.  Brown,  with  his  staff,  as  I 
have  called  them,  was  improving  accidents  and  making  occasions  for  taking 
deadly  aims. 

There  must  have  been  a  sublimity  in  the  scene.  The  darkness  of  night, 
broken  by  a  sheet  of  flame,  at  every  successive  volley  of  the  Whig  band  ;  the 
outcries  and  clamor;  the  disorderly  firing  of  the  Tories,  the  gallant  efforts  of 
Cwl.  Slingsby  to  restore  order,  and  to  form  his  lines  ;  his  fall,  so  sanguinely 
desired,  and  yet  so  much  regretted  ;  and  the  total  rout  of  the  garrison,  would, 
to  a  person  not  engaged  in  the  conflict,  if  such  a  one  could  liave  been  there, 
have  presented  a  spectacle  of  horror  more  easily  imagined  than  described. 

In  tliis  scene  were  exhibited  all  the  brilliant  features  of  the  enterprise. 
Here,  on  the  field  of  battle,  strategy  and  tactics  were  combined,  and  consti- 
tuted the  military  skill  of  the  commander  of  the  Whig  force.  He  vanquished 
the  enemy  by  the  exercise  of  such  skill  as  could  not  have  been  surpassed  ; 
and  by  a  boldness  and  hardihood,  a  promptitude  of  oliodicnoe  and  rapidity 
of  movement  on  the  part  of  those  under  his  command,  that  would  have  shed 
a  lustre  on  the  disciplined  legions  of  modern  Europe. 

It  is  proper  now  to  state  how  I  came  by  my  information.  I  first  heard  the 
account  in  the  way  your  correspondent  received  it,  from  persons  wliose  names 
I  cannot  recollect,  and  it  left  no  impression  on  my  mind  but  that  of  a  (if!,pe- 
rate  attack  in  the  night,  on  Colonel  Slingsbifs  post,  and  perhaps  a  panic  in 
the  garrison. 

Upwards  of  thirty  years  ago  I  heard  General  Brotcn  himself  recount  the 
particulars.  It  was  on  the  deck  of  a  packet  boat,  between  Sinit/irdle  and 
Wilmington.  A  young  Irishman  from  Baltimore,  a  naturalized  citizen  of  the 
United  States,  was  one  of  the  passengers.     He  was  a  furious  zealot  of  rebclliou 

12 


40  HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLINA. 

I 

against  all  government,  and  obtruded  on  the  company  his  political  opinions. 
He  declaimed  against  oui"  institutions,  and  inveighed  in  virulent  language 
against  some  of  our  most  distinguished  statesmen.  Several  gentlemen  were 
present,  all  natives,  and  I  believe  there  was  not  one  "who  was  not  roused  by 
the  insolence  of  this  foreigner.  One  or  two  glanced  at  him,  but  he  disregarded 
their  remarks,  and  continued  to  vapor  with  a  provoking  contempt  for  his 
fclluw  passengers.  At  length.  General  Broicn,  who  was  the  only  one  of  us  who 
derived  authority  from  age  and  revolutionary  services,  and  who  had  been 
kindled  into  indignation  by  his  impertinence,  commenced  an  oblique  attack 
on  him,  by  marking  the  distinction  between  the  legitimate  patriotism  of  that 
day  which  "tried  men's  souls,"  and  the  spurious  love  of  liberty  of  the  then 
epoch  which  tendered  its  services  uncalled  for  and  unrequired,  and  vaunted 
itself  in  noisy  strictures  on  the  administration,  and  malevolent  accusations 
.  against  the  distinguished  patriots  who  conduct  it.  He  proceeded  to  relate 
some  anecdotes  of  his  military  life  ;  but  none  of  them  riveted  my  attention 
so  entirely  as  the  aWaiv  at  Elizabethtown.  When  his  narration  reached  the 
battle  ground,  and  he  depicted  the  operations  there,  he  grew  very  warm ; 
we  all  became  engrossed  by  the  subject,  and  the  Irishman  was  reduced  to 
silence  and  mortification. 

It  happens  that  the  mode  of  collecting  materials  for  a  history  of  the  State, 
which  I  have,  for  many  years  past,  recommended,  has  been  reduced  to  prac- 
tice by  you,  and  with  immediate  success,  and  without  any  privity  between 
us.  You  have  induced  a  talented  gentleman  of  Bladen  County  to  furnish  a 
sketch  of  the  military  expedition  which  terminated  in  a  battle.  He  has  given 
you  the  history  of  this  expedition  as  he  received  it,  and  points  to  the  result 
and  its  important  consequences,  and  I  have  conceived  it  my  duty  to  supply 
additional  particulars.  Here  is  an  example  set  to  those  who  desire  that 
materials  for  the  history  of  our  revolution  should  be  accumulated.  If  there 
is  any  public  spirit  in  the  country,  the  example  will  be  followed. 
I  am.  Sir,  very  respectfully. 

Your  ob't  serv't,  Y.  Z. 

P.  S.  One  of  the  band  referred  to  above,  walked  over  the  battle  field  with 
the  late  General  Thos.  Davis,  of  Fayetteville,  and  pointed  out  to  him  the  dif- 
ferent positions  occupied  by  the  Whig  force  during  the  attack  on  Elizabeth- 
town.  Is  it  not  probable  that  General  Davis  made  memorandums  of  this 
inspection  which  may  yet  be  found  among  his  papers,  and  may  enable  us  to 
form  a  more  accurate  idea  of  the  plan  and  the  details  of  the  battle  ? 


From  the  Raleig-h  Register. 
RECOLLECTIONS  OF  THE  REVOLUTIOX. 

[Reminiscences  of  a  revohdionary  matron  tvith  respect  to  events  immediately  stib- 
seqvent  to  the  Battle  of  Elizabethtown — Wilmington  in  the  2)ossession  of  the 
British  troops  commanded  by  Major  Craig — Whig  encampment  above  Wil- 
mington, under  the  orders  of  Colonel  Leonard — Attempt  by  night  to  surprise 
and  massacre  the  Whigs — Tlie  Kent  Bugle — A  perfidious  guide — Daring 
adventure  of  Mansfield,  Manly,  and  the  two  young  Smiths — Death  of  one  of 
the  latter — References  to  Colonel  {the  father  of  Governor)  Owen — The  Wad- 
dells,  the  Smiths,  the  Leonards — Captain  Manly — The  unfortunate  Slingsby.] 

Mr.  Gales — The  fugitive  memoranda  of  our  old  people,  and  their  fast 
fading  recollections  of  the  scenes  of  the  Revolution,  and  of  events  connected 
with  the  early  history  of  North  Carolina,  are  rapidly  passing  away,  and  every 
effort  should  be  made  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  them.  Many  a  gallant  deed 
and  noble  instance  of  devoted  patriotism  has  been  already  ii-recoverably  lost ; 
deeds  which  would  illustrate  the  character  of  our  people — their  perils  and 
sacrifices  in  the  arduous  struggle  in  which  they  were  engaged,  and  would  now 
fill  with  just  exultation  the  hearts  of  many  whose  actions  teem  with  the  life- 
blood  of  their  heroic  sires,  and  who  were  often  wholly  ignorant  of  their  bold 
and  patriotic  achievements.     Every  new  anecdote  and  incident  of  the  Revolu- 


BLADEN  COUNTY.  41 

tion  that  we  read,  is  full  of  interest;  arid  although  many  of  them  may  not  be 
of  sufficient  public  importance  to  be  dignified  with  a  place  on  the  page  of  our 
history,  yet  they  should  be  gathered  and  treasured  up  and  printed,  and  thus 
placed  in  the  reach  of  our  future  historian. 

These  reflections  were  vividly  enforced  the  other  day,  upon  my  reading  to 
an  aged  and  respectable  lady  of  the  olden  times,  who  was  raised  on  the  Cape 
Fear,  the  account  given  in  the  Wilmington  Chronicle,  "of  the  battle  of  Eliza- 
bethtown,  in  Bladen  county."  "Ah,"  said  she,  when  I  had  finished  reading, 
"well  do  I  remember  the  events  of  that  day,  and  some  of  the  men  that 
figured  in  them." 

Among  other  anecdotes,  she  related  substantially  the  following  narrative  : — 
Upon  the  dispersion  of  the  Tories  in  that  successful  sortie  at  Elizabeth- 
town,  above  referred  to,  by  the  handful  of  Whigs  under  Captain  (afterwards 
General)  Brown,  many  of  the  Tories  fled  for  refuge  to  Wilmington,  then  in 
possession  of  the  British,  under  the  command  of  Major  Craig,  while  a  portion 
of  that  same  Spartan  Whig  band,  joined  by  a  few  other  choice  spirits  of  the 
county  of  Brunswick,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Leonard,  formed  an  en- 
campment above  Wilmington,  and  not  far  from  the  river,  for  the  purpose  of 
cutting  off  supplies  from  being  carried  by  the  Tories  to  the  enemy,  and  to 
prevent  their  own  and  their  neighbors'  slaves  from  flocking  down  to  the 
British  Camp,  and  for  mutual  protection  generally. 

This  encampment  was  a  source  of  great  annoyance  and  vexation  to  the 
British  commander,  and  the  object  of  especial  hatred  and  revenge  to  his  new 
recruits  who  had  just  been  so  handsomely  whipped  at  Elizabeth.  It  was  re- 
solved at  Head  Quarters  that  this  encampment  should  be  broken  up,  and  a 
large  force  was  immediately  detailed  on  this  service.  A  portion  of  them 
was  sent  up  the  main  road,  and  were  to  wait  in  ambush  at  a  bridge  on  a 
stream  then  known  as  Hood's  Creek,  not  fir  below  the  camp,  while  other 
companies,  under  the  guide  of  one  of  these  Tories  who  well  knew  the  few 
pa,ssways  and  situation  of  the  country,  were  to  be  conducted  and  planted 
above,  so  as  effectually  to  surround  the  camp  and  cut  oif  retreat.  Orders 
were  given,  in  the  heai-ing  of  the  guide,  to  the  chief  officer  of  this  expedition, 
to  shoio  no  quarters,  but  to  put  to  inslant  cleatli  every  Wliiy  ttiat  stioidd  be  found 
until  arms  in  tlieir  hands.  After  early  nightfall,  this  band  sat  out  on  their 
murderous  errand. 

Upon  hearing  these  savage  and  bloodthirsty  orders,  their  guide  relented. 
Many  of  the  men  who  were  in  that  camp,  had  been  his  near  neighbors  and 
friends,  had  often  done  him  acts  of  kindness,  and  his  heart  quailed  at  the 
contemplation  of  the  scene  before  him,  and  his  inhuman  instrumentality  in 
having  them  cut  up  and  butchered.  Accordingly,  after  leaving  the  main 
road,  he  feigned  to  be  lost,  and  purposely  avoiding  the  right  track,  he  kept 
them  wandering  in  the  woods  from  swamp  to  swamp,  until,  as  he  supposed, 
sufficient  time  would  elapse  for  the  camp  to  have  notice  of  the  approach  of 
the  direct  force,  and  be  enabled  to  make  good  their  retreat. 

The  Whig  force  did  not  exceed  thirty,  and  were  chiefly  mounted  men ; 
planters  and  men  of  character  and  substance.  They  had  finished  their  scanty 
supper,  had  secured  their  horses  for  the  night,  and  with  their  saddles  for  a 
pillow,  and  their  saddle-blankets  for  a  bed,  they  had  lain  down  to  rest,  un- 
conscious of  the  peril  and  of  the  horrible  destiny  that  had  been  prepared  for 
them. 

The  British  force  had  in  the  mean  time  arrived  at  the  bridge,  and  were 
anxiously  awaiting  the  signal  for  their  onset.  The  night  passed  on,  and  yet 
no  sound  was  heard.  They  became  impatient,  and  gave  a  blast  from  their 
horn  to  apprise  their  comrades  of  their  position  and  readiness,  and  to  receive 
their  response.  The  sound  was  heard  in  the  Whig  camp.  "  What  noise  is 
that?"  said  a  dreamy  sentry,  as  he  paced  his  lonely  rounds.  "  Oh  nothing," 
said  another,  "  but  the  trumpet  of  some  lubberly  boatman."  Another  and 
another  blast,  louder  and  louder  is  given.  The  camp  is  aroused.  "  No  boat- 
man belonging  to  these  waters,"  said  one,  "  can  make  that  noise  ;  they  are  the 
notes  of  the  Kent  Bugle,  and  in  the  hands  too  of  &  practiced  master."  "  Tliey 
proceed  from  down  the  road  and  from  about  the  bridge,"  said  the  officer  in 


42  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

coninianil.  "That  pla<^e  must  be  reconnoitered.  We  must  know  what  all 
that  inoiins.  Who  will  volunteer  and  go  duwn  ?"  No  one  spoke.  "Come, 
Manlv,"  said  he,  "you  are  always  rea<ly  in  a  forlorn  hope,  and  that  fine 
l,la.k\'har<ior  of  vours  can  outrun  danger' itself ;  will  you  go?"  "Aye,  aye, 
Bir,"  said  Manly  ^  "  who  will  go  with  me  to  bring  back  the  news  if  I  should 
lose  vxij  niijhirap?"  "  I,  I,  I,"  said  Mansfield  and  two  young  Smiths.  Their 
horses  were  soon  caparisoned  and  mounted,  their  holsters  examined,  and 
ftway  they  galloped  to  the  bridge.  Upon  their  arrival,  everything  was  as 
quit't  and  silent  as  death.  They  could  neither  see  nor  hear  any  one,  but 
their  liursps  exhihited  alarm  and  refused  to  proceed. 

"  All  ri^rht  on  tiiis  side,"  said  Manly :  "  let  us  see  how  it  is  on  the  other," 
and  thrusting  their  spurs  into  their  horses'  sides,  they  dashed  across  the 
bridge.  As  soon  as  they  had  cleared  it,  up  rose  the  British  and  Tories  from 
their  concealment  on  each  side  the  Toad,  their  muskets  and  bayonets  gleam- 
ing in  tlie  moonlight ;  and  as  these  men  checked  and  turned  their  horses  to 
reti-eat,  the  officer  in  command  sung  out,  "  give  it  to  them,"  and  a  platoon  of 
musketry  fired  upon  them.  The  top  of  Manly's  hat  was  shot  away.  One  of 
the  Smiths  was  badly  wounded,  his  horse  shot  down  on  the  bridge,  and  in 
falling  caught  his  rider  under  him  :  and  the  British  as  they  passed,  perforated 
tlie  body  (it  the  poor  fellow  with  their  bayonets,  and  commenced  a  running 
pursuit.  The  camp,  in  the  mean  time,  had  heard  the  firing,  the  guide  teas  still 
lost  in  the  stcamps,  and  all  but  poor  Smith  made  good  their  retreat.  Thus  this 
gallant  band  of  chivalrous  and  devoted  spirits,  through  an  almost  miraculous 
intervention  of  an  overruling  Providence,  escaped  the  well-planned  strata- 
gem projected  for  their  heartless  and  cold-blooded  massacre,  and  were  spared 
to  their  families  and  country. 

"  I  knew  many  of  those  men,"  continued  this  good  lady,  "  well.  The 
Waddells,  the  Smiths,  the  Owens  and  Leonards  are  names  still  well  known 
along  the  Cape  Fear.  Col.  Thos.  Owen  (the  father  of  the  late  Gov.  Owen), 
was  a  particular  friend  of  ray  husband's  to  the  day  of  his  death.  He  often 
spoke  of  him.  'Tom  Owen,'  he  would  say,  'was  a  warm-hearted  friend, 
g»Mierou8  to  a  foe,  and  as  brave  a  soldier  as  ever  wore  a  sword.'  '  Morehead,' 
s:vid  she,  '  was  a  tall,  thin  man,  of  mild  and  amiable  temper.  He  lived  near 
Elizabeth,  and  died  of  consumption. 

"  Manly,  who  held  a  Captain's  commission,  and  was  an  active  partisan 
officer  in  the  militia  during  the  war,  removed  to  the  back  country,  and  settled 
in  tlic  county  of  Chatham,  distinguished  throughout  a  long  life  for  the  strictest 
integrity  and  untlinching  firmness. 

"  Poor  Slingsby,"  said  she  (another  name  mentioned  in  the  account  of 
the  battle  of  Klizabethtown),  "  who  was  killed  by  the  Whigs  at  Elizabeth- 
town,  deserved  a  better  fate.  He  was  by  birth  an  Englishman,  had  taken 
tlj<-  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  British  crown,  and  like  many  others,  then  and 
now  called  Tories,  acted  under  a  conscientious  sense  of  obligation  to  his 
Sovereign.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  talents,  and  left  an  amiable  and  helpless 
family." 

Thus,  Sir,  I  sat  for  hours  listening  to  these  narratives ;  but  I  fear  I  am 
trespassing.  Tliey  were  to  me  exceedingly  interesting  ;  but  they  may  not  be 
80  tti  others.  And  while  I  ask  you  to  publish  this  or  not  as  you  may  see 
fit,  I  will  conclude  as  I  began,  with  the  sincere  hope,  that  all  who  can,  will 
contril)nto  such  information  as  they  may  possess,  relative  to  the  early  his- 
tory of  the  State ;  and  especially  the  events  and  anecdotes  of  men  of  the  Pievo- 

lutlOD. 

The  character  of  Thomas  Brown  is  one  worthy  of  Bladen.  He  was  early 
in  arms  iiiuler  Governor  Tryon  at  Alamance,  in  1771,  and  afterwards  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  the  Great  Bridge,  in  Virginia,  under  General  Howe. 
The  affair  of  Elizabethtown  proves  that  the  science  of  war  was  congenial 
t.)  his  fearless  temper.  His  life,  character,  and  services  will  afi'ord  some 
future  biographer  an  opportunity  to  present  his  claims  to  the  respect,  love, 
and  admiration  of  his  countrymen. 

Tbom  AS  OwEX  was,  as  described  by  the  sketch  just  quoted,  "warm-hearted  to 


BLADEN  COUNTY.  43 

a  friend,  generous  to  a  foe,  and  as  brave  a  soldier  as  ever  drew  a  sword."  He 
was  of  Welch  origin  ;  born  in  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania,  1735,  and  came 
with  his  father  when  about  five  years  old  to  North  Carolina. 

He  was  an  early  friend  of  liberty.  He  represented  Bladen  in  1775  and 
1776,  and  was  appointed  second  Major  of  Bladen  regiment.  He  was  in  the 
battle  of  Camden ;  commanded  a  regiment  in  the  brigade  of  General  Isaac 
Gregory. 

He  represented  Bladen  in  1786  and  1787.  He  married  Eleanor  Porterfield, 
the  sister  of  Major  Porterfield,  who  fell  at  Eutaw  Springs.  He  died  1803, 
leaving  James,  John,  and  Mary,  who  married  Elisha  Stedman,  of  Fayetteville, 
the  mother  of  Rev.  James  Owen  Stedman,  living  in  Wilmington,  and  pastor 
of  the  Presbyterian  Congregation  in  that  place. 

General  James  Owen  was  born  December  1784,  educated  at  Pittsboro'  under 
Mr.  Bingham  ;  he  is  a  planter  by  profession.  Member  of  House  of  Commons  in 
1808,  '09,  '10,  and  '11,  and  in  Congress  in  1817  and  1818.  General  Owen 
married  the  daughter  of  Robinson  Mumford,  of  Fayetteville.  He  has  been 
President  of  the  Wilmington  and  Raleigh  Railroad,  and  now  enjoys  a  "  green 
old  age"  in  retirement,  enjoying  the  esteem  of  his  associates  and  friends. 

John  Owen,  late  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  was  born  in  Bladen  County 
August  1787,  and  educated  at  the  University.  He  was  a  man  of  kind  heart, 
of  liberal  views,  and  accomplished  manners. 

He  was  a  farmer  of  much  science,  and  seemed  rather  to  prefer  the  quiet  joys 
of  home  to  the  excitement  of  popular  favor.  He  was,  from  his  excellent 
disposition,  philanthropic  views,  and  patriotic  feelings,  a  favorite  of  the  people. 
In  1812  he  represented  Bladen  County  in  the  House  of  Commons,  and  in  1827 
in  the  Senate. 

He  was  in  1828  elected  Governor  of  the  State  ;  and  in  1830  he  was  within 
one  vote  of  being  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  when  he  was 
defeated  by  Hon.  Wilie  P.  Mangum.  This  contest  produced  a  coolness  be- 
tween these  gentlemen,  which  had  terminated  in  a  hostile  meeting,  but  for 
interference  of  friends. 

He  was  President  of  the  Convention  at  Harrisburg  in  1840,  which  nomi- 
nated General  Harrison  and  Governor  Tyler  for  President  and  Vice-President 
of  the  United  States. 

This  was  his  last  public  act.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Brown, 
daughter  of  Gen.  Thomas  Brown,  at  an  early  age ;  whose  amiable  and  quiet 
disposition  tended  to  soften  the  pathway  of  life. 

After  enjoying  the  honors  of  his  State  and  all  the  comforts  of  life,  he  died 
at  Pittsboro',  October  1841,  loved  and  respected  by  all  Avho  knew  him. 

This  county  is  also  the  residence  of  James  J.  McKay. 

His  career  as  a  public  man  belongs  to  the  country,  and  his  public  acts  are 
public  property. 

He  is  a  native  and  resident  of  this  county.  He  was  born  in  1793.  His 
course  as  a  public  man  has  been  successful  and  brilliant.  As  a  lawyer  he  was 
ardent,  firm  and  earnest  in  his  duty.  He  was  U.  S.  District  Attorney  for 
several  years.  His  first  appearance  on  the  public  stage  as  a  politician,  was 
in  1815,  as  a  member  of  the  Senate  of  the  State  Legislature.  He  continued 
in  this  service,  with  some  intermissions,  until  1831,  when  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  Congress,  where  he  seryed 
until  the  session  of  1849.  Gen.  McKay  is  a  disciple  of  the  Macon  school 
of  politicians,  "  severe,  strict,  and  stringent."  His  indomitable  firmness,  and 
Spartan  character,  won  for  him  position  and  influence.     He  was  for  some 


unanimous  vote  of  the  North  Carolina  Delegation,  as  candidate  for  Vice-Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States. 


44 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


The  following  are  the  members  of  Assembly  from  Bladen  County, 
from  1774  to  1851. 

Senators.  Members  of  House  of  Commons. 

William  Salter,  Walter  Gibson. 
William  Salter,  James  White. 
Benjamin  Clark. 
Samuel  Cain,  Francis  Lucas. 
Peter  Robeson,  Samuel  Cain. 
James  Richardson. 
Peter  Robertson,  J.  Richardson. 
Samuel  Cain,  John  Brown. 
J.  Brown,  S.  Cain. 
Duncan  Stewart,  .Josiah  Lewis. 
Josiah  Lewis,  .John  Hall. 
Josiah  Lewis,  James  Bradley. 
James  Bradley,  -Josiah  Lewis. 
James  Bradlev,  Hugh  Waddell. 
H.  Waddell,  j".  Bradley. 
James  Morehead,  J.  Bradley. 
Street  Ashford,  J.  Bradley. 
Samuel  N.  Richardson,  Richard  Holmes. 
Richard  Holmes,  Amos  Richardson. 
Amos  Richardson,  Street  Ashford. 
A.  Richardson,  Michael  Molton. 
A.  Richardson,  M.  Molton. 
James  B.  White,  A.  Richardson. 
J.  B.  White,  David  Gillaspie. 
Thomas  Brown,  James  Owen. 
T.  Brown,  J.  Owen. 
T.  Brown,  J.  Owen. 
T.  Brown,  J.  Owen. 
David  Gillaspie,  John  Owen. 
D.  Gillaspie,  John  Owen. 
James  J.  Cummings,  John  Sellers. 
John  Sellers,  James  J.  Cummings. 
William  J.  Cowan,  John  Sellers. 
William  J.  Cowan,  .John  Sellers. 
Thomas  White,  William  CBeatty. 
T.  White,  Joseph  Wilson. 
Samuel  B.  Andres,  William  J.  Cowan. 
Robert  Melvin,  -John  J.  McMillan. 
R.  Melvin,  William  Davis. 
J.  J.  3IcMillan,  -John  T.  Gilmore. 
Isaac  Wright,  John  J.  McMillan. 
J.  J.  McMillan,  John  T.  Gilmore. 
J.  J.  McMillan,  J.  T.  Gilmore. 
J.  J.  McMillan,  Robert  Melvin. 
Robert  Melvin,  J.  J.  McMillan. 
John  W.  McMillan,  Salter  Loyd. 
J.  J.  McMillan,  Robert  Lyon. 
Robert  Lyon,  William  Jones.  ^ 
Robert  Lyon,  George  Cromartie. 


Years. 

1774. 

1775. 

1778. 

1783. 

1784. 

1785. 

1786. 

1787. 

1788. 

1791. 

1792. 

1793. 

1794. 

1795. 

1796. 

1797. 

1800. 

1801. 

1802. 

1803. 

1804. 

1805. 

1806. 

1807. 

1808. 

1809. 

1810. 

1811. 

1812. 

1813. 

1814. 

1815. 

1816. 

1817. 

1818. 

1819. 

1821. 

1822. 

1823. 

1824. 

1825. 

1826. 

1827. 

1828. 
■     1829. 

1830. 

1831. 

1832. 

1834. 

1835. 


Thomas  Owen, 
Thomas  Owen, 
Thomas  Owen, 
Thomas  Brown, 
Thomas  Brown, 
Thomas  Owen, 
Thomas  Brown, 
Jos.  R.  Gautiei-, 
Duncan  Stewart, 
D.  Stewart, 
D.  Stewart, 
D.  Stewart, 
Josiah  Lewis, 
J.  Lewis, 
J.  Lewis, 
T.  W.  Harvey, 
S.  X.  Richardson, 
S.  N.  Richardson, 
Richard  Holmes, 
Richard  Holmes, 
Richard  Holmes, 
Richard  Holmes, 
Samuel  Andres, 
Samuel  Andres, 
Samuel  Andres, 
Isaac  Wright, 
I.  Wright, 
I,  Wright, 
Richard  Parish, 
James  J.  McKay, 
J.  J.  McKav, 
J.  J.  McKay, 
J.  .J.  McKay, 
John  Owen, 
Simon  Green, 
.James  J.  McKay, 
Daniel  Shipman, 
Daniel  Shipman, 
Robert  Melvin, 
James  -J.  McKay, 
John  Owen, 
Mai.  Mclnnis, 
Malcolm  I\lclnnis, 
James  .J.  McKay, 
John  T.  Gilmore, 
Robert  Melvin, 
J.  J.  McMillan, 
George  Cromartie, 


R.  Lyon,  B.  Fitzrandolph. 
The  first  Legislature  under  the  new  Constitution. 
(The  counties  of  Bladen,  Brunswick  and  Columbus  form  one  Senatorial  Dis- 
trict—the 19th.) 

Joseph  M.  Gillaspie. 
George  T.  Barksdale. 
George  W.  Bannerman. 


1836. 

1838. 
1840. 


James  Burney, 
Robert  Melvin, 
Robert  Melvin, 


BRUNSWICK  COUNTY.  45 

Years.  Senators.  Members  of  House  of  Commons. 

1842.  Robert  Melvin,  George  W.  Bannerman. 

1844.  Robert  Melvin,  H.  H.  Robinson. 

1846.  Richard  Woolen,  T.  S.  D.  McDowell. 

1848.  Richard  AYooten,  T.  S.  D.  McDowell. 

1850.  Richard  Wooten,  T.  S.  D.  McDowell. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 


BRUNSWICK  COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation — Origin  of  name,  situation,  and  boundaries — Smithville, 
its  capital — Population  and  products — Delegates  fi-om  Bladen  in  1774, 1775, 
and  1776 — Officersof  the  Regiment,  1775 — Colonial  and  Revolutionary  His- 
tory— Character  and  services  of  Robert^ Howe,  Alfred  Moore,  Son.,  Mau- 
rice Moore,  Alfred  Moore,  Jr.,  James  Moore,  Benjamin  Smith,  and  others — 
List  of  members  from  Brunswick  County,  from  1774  to  1851. 

Brunswick  County  was  formed  in  1764,  from  the  counties  of 
Bladen  and  New  Hanover. 

It  derives  its  names  from  the  Prince  of  Brunswick,  who  married 
this  year  (1764),  the  King's*  eldest  sister. 

It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  south-eastern  portion  of  North  Caro- 
lina, and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Cape  Fear  River,  which 
separates  it  from  New  Hanover  and.  Bladen  ;  on  the  east,  by  the 
Cape  Fear  River,  which  separates  it  from  New  Hanover;  on  the 
south,  by  the  Atlantic  Ocean  and  the  South  Carolina  line ;  on  the 
west,  by  Waccamaw  River,  which  separates  it  from  Columbus 
County. 

Its  capital  is  Smithville,  distance  from  Raleigh  one  hundred 
and  seventy-three  miles. 

Its  population  is  3,651  whites ;  319  free  negroes  ;  3,302  slaves ;  5,951  federal 
population  ;  and  397  persons  who  cannot  read  or  write. 

36,357  bushels  of  corn  ;  7,868  pounds  of  cotton  ;  2,739  pounds  of  wool ; 
13,670  dollars  worth  of  lumber ;  and  14,281  dollars  worth  of  tax-,  pitch,  and  tur- 
pentine. 

The  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  History  of  Brunswick  is  full  of 
incidents  of  patriotism,  valor,  and  devotion  to  liberty.  It  was  in  the 
Cape  Fear  River,  near  this  county,  that  on  August  8th,  1775,  Josiah 
Martin,  the  last  of  the  Royal  Governors,  on  board  of  his  Majesty's 
ship-of-war,  the  Cruiser,  fulminated  his  famous  proclamation  against 
the  cause  of  liberty  ;  and  particularly  "the  infamous  publication," 
the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence  of  the  May  previous, 
which,  as  he  states  in  his  dispatch  of  June  30th,  1775,  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  State  (a  copy  of  which  is  found  under  the  head  of  Mecklen- 
burg County),  "surpasses  all  the  horrid  and  treasonable  publica- 

*  Martin's  History  of  North  Carolina,  vol.  ii.  p.  184. 


46  HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLIXA. 

tions  that  the  inflammatory  spirits  of  the  continent  have  yet  pro- 
duced." 

This  "was  the  last  act  of  the  royal  rule  in  North  Carolina. 

Bruns-w'ick  County  sent  Robert  Howe  as  delegate  to  the  first  general  meet- 
ing of  deputies  of  tlic  province  to  Xewbern,  August  25th,  1774. 

To  the  Assembly  at  Newbern,  in  April,  1775,  Johx  Rowan  and  Robert 
Howe  were  delegates. 

To  the  Assembly  at  Ilillsboro',  August  21st,  1775,  Robert  Howe,  Robert 
Ellis,  Parker  Quince,  Thomas  Alton  and  E.oger  Moore. 

To  the  State  Congress  which  met  at  Halifax  Xov.  12th,  1776,  which  formed 
our  Constitution,  Maurice  Moore,  Cornelius  Harnett,  Archibald  McLean, 
Lewis  Dupree  and  William  Lord. 

Of  the  military  officers  appointed  in  1775,  James  Moore  was  Colonel  of  the 
1st  Continental  Regiment:  Alfred  Moore,  a  Captain  in  the  same. 

Robert  Howe  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  2d  Continental  Regiment. 

To  no  county  in  the  State  is  the  cause  of  liberty  more  indebted 
for  fearless  and  devoted  sons,  than  to  Brunswick, 

Like  the  mother  of  the  Gracchi,  they  were  her  proudest  jewels, 
and  like  the  same  Gracchi,  they  were  ready  to  offer  upon  the  altar  of 
their  country  "  their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honor." 

Robert  Howe,  of  Brunswick  County,  was  a  soldier  by  nature.  He  boldly 
entered,  without  hesitation,  in  that  perilous  contest  between  submission  or 
the  sword  ;  and  with  an  energy  that  never  relaxed,  and  a  courage  that  never 
quailed,  he  battled  for  liberty  and  America.  His  first  command  was  import- 
ant, and  showed  the  confidence  of  his  country.  As  Colonel  of  the  1st  Regi- 
ment, he  marched  with  a  part  of  his  troops  to  relieve  Xorfolk,  Ya.,  then  in- 
vested by  Lord  Dunmore,  the  Royal  Governor.  In  Dec.  1775,  Howe  was 
Joined  by  Colonel  AVoodford,  with  some  Virginia  troops.  Lord  Dunmore 
detached  Captain  Fordyce,  with  a  strong  force,  to  dispute  their  advance.  At 
the  Great  Bridge,  on  the  Elizabeth  River,  on  the  9th  December,  1775,  the 
British  troops,  between  daybreak  and  sunrise,  made  a  furious  charge  with 
fixed  bayonets. 

The  Americans  received  the  attack  with  intrepidity  and  firmness  ;  and 
poured  on  the  enemy  a  heavy  and  galling  fire.  They  were  slaughtered  nearly 
to  a  man ;  the  Americans  advanced  and  took  possession  of  Xorfolk,  compel- 
ling Lord  Dunmore  to  seek  his  own  safety  on  board  of  a  ship-of-war,  as  his 
coadjutor  of  Xorth  Carolina  had  previously  done. 

Howe  vigilantly  watched  the  movements  of  his  Lordship.  But  on  the  1st 
•Jan.,  1776,  the  British  landed  a  detachment  of  troops,  and  under  cover  of  the 
cannon  of  the  tleet  set  fire  to  the  town  near  the  wharf. 

The  Provincial  troops  repelled  the  invaders,  and  they  retreated  on  board  of 
their  ships.*  From  the  inadequacy  of  means  for  subduing  the  fire,  and  a  belief 
that  the  town  would  afford  the  Royal  Governor  comfortable  quarters,  it  was 
not  stopped,  but  raged  for  several  weeks,  and  laid  the  whole  town  in  ashes, 
as  the  Russians  destroyed  Moscow,  to  prevent  the  French  from  winter  quarter- 
ing in  its  houses. 

There  being  no  further  use  for  his  services  or  his  troops,  at  this  point,  Howe 
returned  to  the  Cape  Fear. 

For  his  gallantry  in  this  campaign,  and  good  conduct  in  battle,  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  promoted  liim  to  be  a  Brigadier-General. 

By  order  of  the  State  Provincial  Congress,  on  the  2d  May,  1776,  the  President 
of  Congress  addressed  General  Howe,  and  returned  to  him  their  thanks  for 
his  "  manly,  generous,  and  warlike  conduct  in  these  unhappy  times,  and  more 
especially  for  the  reputation  our  troops  acquired  under  his  command."! 

Such  was  the  devotion  of  General  Howe  to  the  cause  of  libertv,  that  in  an 


J ' 


*  Marshall's  jJife  of  Washington,  vol.  i.  p.  69. 
t  Jones'  Defence  of  Xorih  Carolina,  p.  242. 


BRUNSWICK  COUNTY.  47 

offer  of  General  II.  Clinton,  of  pardon  to  the  inhabitants  of  North  Carolina, 
Cornelius  Harnett  and  Robert  Howe  are  excepted  from  the  benefits.  This  pro- 
clamation is  dated  on  board  the  Pallas  transport,  in  Cape  Fear  River,  5th 
May,  1776. 

On  12th  May,  1770,  General  Clinton  ordered  a  detachment  of  900  men, 
under  Lord  Cornwallis,  to  land  on  the  plantation  of  General  Howe,  which 
they  first  ravaged  and  then  burnt. 

In  1778,  General  Howe  commanded  the  troops  in  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia  until  December.  Our  troops  suffered  from  the  climate  and  the  want 
of  the  necessaries  of  life ;  and  were  finally  driven  out  of  Georgia  by  Colonel 
Campbell.  Howe  was  censured  for  neglect,  and  by  Christopher  Gadsden, 
afterwards  Governor  of  South  Carolina,  among  others.  Howe  required  him 
to  retract  or  deny.  Gadsden  would  do  neither.  A  duel  ensued  on  13th 
May,  1778,  near  Cannonsburg.  They  met,  Howe's  ball  grazed  the  ear  of  Gads- 
den, and  Gadsden  fired  in  a  different  direction.* 

It  is  regretted  that  of  the  former  life  as  well  as  future  course  of  General 
Howe,  as  well  as  his  private  history,  so  little  has  been  known.  The  material 
doubtless  exists,  and  justice  will  yet  be  done  to  the  gallantry,  patriotism  and 
character  of  Robert  Howe,  of  Brunswick  County. 

Maurice  Moore,  whose  character  is  worthy  of  our  esteem,  was  also  from 
Brunswick. 

Judge  Moore  was  descended  from  an  ancient  Irish  family  of  which  the 
Marquis  Drogheda  is  the  present  head.f  His  grandfather,  Sir  Nathaniel 
Moore,  was  Governor  of  Carolina  (then  including  North  and  South  Carolina) 
in  1705,  and  is  referred  to  in  the  former  part  of  this  work. J 

James  Moore  married  a  daughter  of  Sir  John  Yeamans,  who  established 
the  city  of  Charleston,  and  was  Governor  of  the  two  Carolinas  in  1670. 
Moorel  was  Governor  of  the  Carolinas  in  1700  and  in  1719.  By  Miss  Yea- 
mans  he  had  ten  children,  from  the  second  of  whom,  Maurice,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  is  lineally  descended. 

He  was  a  lawyer  of  eminence  and  a  judge  of  the  superior  courts  in  the 
State  under  the  royal  rule.  His  character  is  alluded  to  on  a  former  page.|| 
He,  with  Martin  Howard  and  Richard  Henderson,  constituted  the  Judicial 
Bench  of  North  Carolina  when  the  Revolution  shut  up  the  courts.  In  the 
troubles  of  the  Regulators  in  1771,  although  he  could  not  approve  their  out- 
rages, he  sympathized  with  their  distresses.  He  openly  denounced  Governor 
Tryon  as  a  tyrant,  and  in  a  letter  addressed  to  him  signed  "  Atticus,"  he  shows 
Tryou's  character  in  despicable  and  odious  colors,  by  severe  and  powerful 
invective. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  which  met  at  Hillsboro'  in 
1775 ;  and  also  a  member  of  the  same  in  177C,  which  met  at  Halifax,  and 
aided  materially  in  forming  our  State  Constitution. 

He  died  in  the  year  1777,  and  at  the  same  time  (by  a  most  remarkable  co- 
incidence), in  the  same  house,  his  distinguished  brother,  James  Moore,  also 
died.  Colonel  of  the  first  Continental  Regiment,  while  on  his  way  to  join  Gene- 
ral Washington.  Both  active,  enterprising,  and  devoted  to  the  cause  of  their 
country ;  their  lives,  character  and  services  invite  the  attention  of  the  histo- 
rian and  biographer. 

Alfred  Moore,  Sen.,  of  Brunswick,  was  a  son  of  Judge  Maurice  Moore. 
He  was  boi-n  on  21st  May,  1755. 

He  was  sent  to  Boston  to  acquire  his  education,  and  while  there  he  was 
offered  a  Commission  in  the  Royal  Army,  1768 ;  this  was  declined,  but  the  pre- 
sence of  a  large  garrison,  the  friendship  of  one  of  its  officers,  added  to  a  taste 
for  a  military  profession,  led  him  to  acquire  accurate  knowledge  of  military 

*  Traditions  of  the  Kevolntion  in  the  South,  by  Joseph  Johnson,  204. 

t  Martin,  vol.  ii.  p.  S'JO.     Jones,  p.  361. 

%  Vol.  1.  34.  II  Vol.  i.  p.  101. 

\  Hewatt's  History  of  Carolinas,  pp.  143,  275,  and  53. 


48  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

tactics,  Avhich  soon  was  destined  to  be  called  into  the  active  service  of  his 
counti-y  and  usefulness  to  her  cause. 

In  1775,  he  was  appointed  a  captain  in  the  1st  Regiment  of  North  Carolina 
Continental  troops,  which  was  commanded  by  his  uncle  Colonel  James  Moore. 
He  marched  with  his  company  to  Charleston,  and  was  on  duty  there  at  the 
memorable  attack  on  Fort  Moultrie.  Here  he  evinced  that  ardor  of  patriot- 
ism and  thirst  for  military  glory,  patience  in  fatigue,  and  boldness  in  action, 
which  would  have  distinguished  him  as  one  of  the  captains  of  the  age.  But 
misfortunes  crowded  so  thick  upon  him  that  he  was  forced  to  resign.  His 
father.  Judge  Maurice  Moore,  and  uncle.  Colonel  James  Moore,  both  died  at 
the  same  time.  His  brother  (Maurice)  was  killed  at  Brunswick,  General 
Francis  Nash,  his  brother-in-law,  was  killed  at  Germantown.  A  helpless 
family  was  left  without  any  other  protector. 

Although  he  left  the  regular  army,  his  martial  spirit  was  not  inactive. 

When  the  British  landed  and  took  possession  of  AVilmington,  he  left  his 
family  (wife  and  two  small  children)  and  raised  a  troop  of  volunteers  and 
greatly  annoyed  the  enemy.  He  became  the  peculiar  object  of  hatred  to  the 
British  commander,  Major  Craig,  (afterwards  Sir  James  Craig,  Governor- 
General  of  Canada).  He  sent  a  troop  to  Captain  Moore's  house,  plundered 
it  of  everything  valuable,  and  destroyed  the  remainder. 

After  the  battle  of  Guilford  Court  House,  Captain  Moore  was  with  other 
officers  detached  to  obstruct  Lord  Cornwallis's  march.  While  the  English 
were  in  the  possession  of  Wilmington,  Captain  Moore's  condition  was  deplo- 
rable. Without  money,  without  decent  clothes,  exiled  from  his  family,  his 
property  all  destroyed :  not  a  murmur  of  regret  from  him  was  heard.  Dear 
as  these  things  were,  the  liberty  of  his  country  was  still  dearer ;  for  this 
he  sacrificed  everything. 

When  peace  came  his  family  was  restored,  but  the  means  of  subsistence 
were  gone.  His  country  was  in  the  same  deplorable  situation  ;  the  General 
Assembly  elected  him  in  1790  Attorney-General,  to  alleviate,  in  a  delicate 
manner,  his  immediate  wants,  without  his  ever  having  read  a  law  book.  But 
blessed  with  an  active  discriminating  mind,  studious  habits  and  retentive 
memory,  his  zeal  for  his  profession  being  quickened  by  the  stern  necessity  of 
circumstances,  he  soon  mastered  its  intricacies,  and  became  one  of  its  most 
distinguished  ornaments.  A  clear  perspicuity  of  mind,  methodical  accuracy 
of  argument,  and  pleasing  and  natural  eloquence,,  were  the  distinguishing 
traits  of  his  character.  Nature  had  been  kind  in  giving  him  a  fine  toned 
voice,  distinct  articulation,  and  a  small  but  graceful  person. 

In  1798  he  was  called  to  the  bench. 

His  character  as  Attorney-general  and  Judge  has  been  recorded  in  the  deci- 
sions of  our  Supreme  Court. 

"  The  very  question,  however,  before  us,  has  been  decided  in  the  case  of  the 
'  State  i--^'.  Hall,'  in  1799,  by  a  judge  whose  opinions  on  every  subject,  but 
particularly  on  this,  merit  the  highest  respect.  Judge  Moore  was  appointed 
Attorney-General  a  very  short  time  after  this  act  of  Assembly  was  passed, 
and  discharged  for  a  series  of  years  the  arduous  duties  of  that  office,  in  a 
manner  which  commanded  the  admiration  and  gratitude  of  his  cotemporaries. 
His  profound  knowledge  of  the  criminal  law  was  kept  in  continual  exercise 
by  a  most' varied  and  extensive  practice,  at  a  period  when  the  passions  of 
men  had  not  yet  subsided  from  the  ferment  of  civil  war,  and  every  grade  of 
crime  incident  to  an  unsettled  society,  made  continual  demands  upon  his 
acuteness.  No  one  ever  doubted  his  learning  and  penetration;  or  that  while 
he  enforced  the  law  with  an  enlightened  vigilance  and  untiring  zeal,  his 
energy  was  seasoned  with  humanity,  leaving  the  innocent  nothing  to  fear, 
and  the  guilty  but  little  to  hope.  The  opinion  of  such  a  man,  delivered  on 
an  occasion  the  most  solemn  on  which  the  judge  could  act,  when  doubt  in 
him  would  have  been  life  to  the  prisoner,  assumes  the  authority  of  a  cotem- 
porary  exposition  of  the  statute,  and  cannot  but  confirm  me  in  the  sentiments 
I  have  expressed.'" 

In  1799  he  was  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  an  Asso- 
ciate Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  :  he  continued  in 


BRUNSWICK  COUNTY.  49 

this  important  and  responsible  position  for  six  years;  when  his  health  fa,iling, 
and  finding  that  he  could  not  longer  discharge  its  duties  with  satisfaction  to 
himself  or  advantage  to  his  country,  he  resigned.  His  health  gradually 
wasted  away,  when,  with  a  consciousness  of  a  well  spent  and  useful  life,  and 
in  the  hope  of  a  ioyful  immortality,  he  died  on  15th  October,  1810,  at  the 
house  of  Major  Waddell,  in  Bladen  County,  in  the  arms  of  his  afflicted 
family. 

Of  such  a  man  may  our  State  well  be  proud.  She  has__preserved  his  name 
in  one  of  the  most  enterprising  counties  (erected  in  1784).  Ilis  life  and 
services  consecrated  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  the  best  welfare  of  his 
country,  will  ever  render  dear  to  every  North  Carolinian  the  name  of  Moore. 

His  son,  Alfred  Moore,  was  born  in  this  county,  a  distinguished  lawyer, 
remarkable  for  his  ability,  eloquence,  and  spotless  integrity  in  public  life, 
and  in  private  for  his  amiability  and  purity.  For  many  years  he  was  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Commons  and  Speaker  of  the  same.  He  died  in 
Orange  County  28th  July,  1837  ;  leaving  several  children.  One  of  them  mar- 
ried Haywood  W.  Guion,  Esq.,  and  now  resides  at  Lincolnton. 

Bexjamim  Smith  was,  too,  a  resident  of  Belvidere,  Brunswick  County.  He 
was  intelligent  and  enterprising,  and  a  favorite  before  the  people.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Senate  in  the  State  Legislature  in  1792,  from  Brunswick;  a 
General  of  militia,  and  was  elected  Governor  of  the  State  in  1810.  From 
him  or  his  family  the  capital  of  Brunswick  derives  its  name.  By  nature  ar- 
dent, 

"  Sudden  and  quick  in  quarrel," 

his  life  was  checkered  by  difficulties.  He  had  several  duels,  in  all  of  which 
he  conducted  himself  with  great  firmness  and  magnanimit)^ 

His  generosity  in  giving  20,000  acres  of  land  to  the  University,  December, 
1789,  would  overshadow  many  greater  defects. 

More  of  his  life,  services,  and  character  will  be  procured  and  presented  to 
the  State. 

Other  names  might  he  presented  from  Brunswick.  Eut  the  lim- 
its of  our  labors  require  condensation.  Enough  has  been  proved 
to  shovv  that  the  remark  made  in  the  early  part  of  this  sketch  was 
not  incorrect,  "  that  to  no  county  in  the  State  is  the  cause  of 
liberty  more  indebted  for  fearless  and  devoted  sons  than  to  Bruns- 
wick  County.' 

The  following  are  the  members  of  the  General  Assembly  from 
Brunswick  County,  from  1774  to  1851 : — 

-Years.  Senators.  Members  of  House  of  Commons. 

1774.  Robert  Howe. 

1775.  John  Rowan,  Robert  Howe. 

1776.  Cornelius  Harnett,  A.  McClaine. 

1777.  Archibald  McClaine,      Wm.  Lord,  Richard  Quince,  Jr. 

1778.  Archibald  McClaine,      Lewis  Dupre,  William  Gause. 

1782.  Archibald  McClaine,  Wm.  Waters,  Dennis  Hawkins. 

1783.  Benjamin  Smith,  W^m.  Waters,  Dennis  Hawkins. 

1784.  William  Watters,  Jacob  Leonard,  David  Flowers. 

1785.  William  Watters,  Jacob  Leonard,  Robert  Howe. 

1787.  A.  M.  Forster,  Lewis  Dupre,  Jacob  Leonard. 

1788.  Lewis  Dupre,  Jacob  Leonard,  John  Cains. 

1791.  Lewis  Dupre,  Benjamin  Smith,  Wm.  E.  Lord. 

1792.  Benjamin  Smith,  Alfred  Moore,  Wm.  E.  Lord. 

1793.  B.  Smith,  Wm.  Wingate,  Wm.  E.  Lord. 

1794.  B.Smith,  Wm.  Wingate,  Abraham  Bissant. 

1795.  B.  Smith,  Wm.  Wingate,  Ab.  Bissant. 


50 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH^  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senators. 

1796.  B.  Smith, 

1797.  B.  Sniith, 

1800.  B.  Smith, 

1801.  ^Vm.  Wingate, 

1802.  Wm.  Wingate, 

1803.  Wm.  Wingate, 

1804.  Benjamin  Smith, 

1805.  B.  Smith, 
1800.  B.  Smith, 

1807.  B.  Smith, 

1808.  B.  Smith, 

1809.  B.  Smith, 

1810.  B.  Smith, 

1811.  Thos.  Leonard, 

1812.  Wm.  Wingate, 

1813.  Wm.  Wingate, 

1814.  Jacob  Leonard, 

1815.  J.  W.  Leonard, 

1816.  Benjamin  Smith, 

1817.  Jacob  Leonard, 

1818.  Jacob  Leonard, 

1819.  John  C.  Baker, 

1821.  J.  W.  Leonard, 

1822.  John  C.  Baker, 

1823.  John  C.  Baker, 

1824.  John  C.  Baker, 

1825.  John  C.  Baker, 

1826.  Benj.  R.  Locke, 

1827.  B.  R.  Locke, 

1828.  Jacob  Leonard, 

1829.  J.  Leonard, 

1830.  Wm.  R.  Hall, 

1831.  Wm.  R.  Hall, 

1832.  Wm.  R.  Hall, 

1833.  AVm.  R.  Hall, 

1834.  Maurice  Moore, 

1835.  Frederic  J.  Hill, 

1836.  James  Burney, 
1838.  Robert  Melvin, 
1840.  R.  Melvin, 
1842.  R.  Melvin, 
1844.  R.  iMelvin, 
1846.  R.  Wooten, 
1848.  Richard  Wooten, 
1850.  Richard  Wooten, 


Members  of  House  of  Commons. 
Wm.  E.  Lord,  Absalom  Bissant. 
A.  Bissant,  George  Davis. 
Benjamin  Mills,  A.  Bissant. 
John  G.  Scull,  Benj.  Mills. 
John.  G.  Scull,  Benj.  Mills. 
John  G.  Scull,  Thomas  Leonard. 
Thomas  Leonard,  Maurice  Moore. 
Thomas  Leonard,  Richard  Parrish. 
Richard  Parrish,  Thomas  Leonard. 
Thomas  Leonard,  Thomas  Russ. 
Thomas  Leonard,  Thomas  Russ. 
Thomas  Leonard,  George  Davis. 
Thomas  Leonard,  Thomas  Russ. 
Jacob  W.  Leonard,  Maurice  Moore. 
Maurice  Moore,  Robert  Potter. 
Maurice  Moore,  Thomas  Russ. 
Alfred  Moore,  Thomas  Russ. 
Uriah  Sullivan,  John  C.  Baker. 
Edward  Mills,  Wm.  Simmons. 
Alfred  Moore,  John  C.  Baker. 
J.  C.  Baker,  Alfred  Moore. 
Alfred  Moore,  John  Neele. 
Francis  N.  Waddell,  A.  Moore. 
Samuel  Frink,  Alfred  Moore. 
Alfred  Moore,  J.  W.  Leonard. 
Alfred  Moore,  Jacob  W.  Leonard. 
John  J.  Gause,  Alfred  Moore. 
Alfred  Moore,  Jacob  Leonard,  Jr. 
A.  Moore,  Jacob  Leonard,  Jr. 
Thomas  B.  Smith,  Wm.  L.  Hall. 
John  J.  Gause,  Marsden  Campbell. 
Benj.  S.  Leonard,  John  P.  Gause. 
J.  P.  Gause,  Samuel  Laspeyre. 
S.  A.  Laspeyre,  John  Waddell. 
S.  A.  Laspeyre,  Benj.  S.  Leonard. 
Rt.  G.  McCracken,  Abram  Baker. 
Wm.  R.  Hall,  Abram  Baker. 
Frederic  J.  Hill. 
F.  J.  Hill. 
F.  J.  Hill. 
Ai'meline  Bryan. 
H.  H.  Waters. 
H.  H.  AVaters. 
H.  H.  Waters. 
John  II.  Hill. 


BUNCOMBE  COUNTY. 


51 


CHAPTER  IX. 


BUNCOMBE  COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation— Origin  of  name,  situation,  and  boundaries— Popula- 
tion and  products— Asheville,  its  capital— Climate-Warm  springs— Its  dis- 
tinguished citizens  and  members  of  the  General  Assembly  irom  the  date 
of  erection  to  the  last  session. 

Buncombe  County  was  formed,  in  1791,  from  Burke  and  Ruther- 
ford counties,  and  derives  its  name  from  Col.  Edward  Buncombe,  of 
that  part  of  Tyrrell  which  is  now  Washington  County ;  he  was  Colo- 
nel of  the  5th  regiment  raised  by  North  Carolina  for  the  Continen- 
tal army. 

Colonel  Buncombe  was  a  native  of  St.Kitts,  one  of  the  West  India  islands. 
He  inherited  land  in  Tyrrel  County  and  built  a  house,  now  m  the  possession 
of  his  descendants.  itt    i,- 

With  his  regiment,  he  joined  the  army  of  the  north,  under  )\  asjimgton; 
was  wounded  and  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Germantown,  in  1777.  He 
died  of  wounds  received  in  this  battle,  at  Philadelphia,  while  on  parole.  He 
left  one  son,  who  died  without  issue,  and  two  daughters ;  one,  who  married 
John  Goelet,  Esq.,  of  Washington,  and  the  other  Mr.  Clark,  of  Bertie,  a 
daughter  of  whom  is  now  the  wife  of  John  Cox,  Esq.,  of  Edenton.     _  _ 

Edward  Buncombe  was  distinguished  for  his  manly  appearance,  indomi- 
table bravery,  unsullied  patriotism,  and  open-hearted  hospitality.  Over  his 
door  was  this  distich — 

"to  buncombe  hall, 

WELCOME  all." 

Buncombe  County  is  situated  in  the  extreme  western  portion  of 
the  State ;  bounded  on  the  north  and  west  by  the  Appalachian  Moun- 
tains and  the  new  county  of  Madison,  east  by  Rutherford  and 
McDowell  counties,  south  by  Henderson  County,  and  west  by  Hay- 
wood County  and  the  Tennessee  line. 

Its  capital  is  Asheville,  named  in  compliment  to  Governor  Samuel 
Ashe,  of  New  Hanover  County.  It  was  originally  called  Morris- 
town,  and  is  a  most  flourishing  village,  not  far  from  the  French 
Broad  River.  Asheville,  as  ascertained  by  Professor  Mitchell,  is 
2,200  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and  contains  a  Branch  of  the 
Bank  of  Cape  Fear,  an  excellent  academy,  several  stores,  churches, 
two  printing  presses,  and  one  of  the  best  Hotels  in  North  Carolina. 
Perhaps  there  is  no  portion  of  our  State  less  really  known,  and  yet 
oftener  talked  of,  than  Buncombe.  It  has  become  as  familiar  as 
"household  words"  throughout  the  Union,  in  Congress,  and  else- 
where. A  recent  popular  production,  by  Judge  Halliburton,  a 
Colonial  Judge  of  Nova  Scotia,  has  devoted  a  whole  chapter  of  his 


52  HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLINA. 

•work  {tJie  AttacTie  in  England)  to  Buncombe,  vitliout,  perhaps, 
knowing  where  this  county  is  situated,  or  its  various  resoui'ces  or 
advantacres.     The  term  had  this  origin. 

Several  years  ago,  in  Congress,  the  member  from  this  immediate 
district  arose  to  address  the  house,  "vrithout  any  extraordinary  powers 
either  in  manner  or  matter  to  interest  his  audience.  Many  mem- 
bers left  the  hall.  Very  naively,  he  told  those  who  were  so  land  as 
to  remain  that  they  might  go  too  ;  he  should  speak  for  some  time, 
but  "he  was  only  talking  for  BuncomheJ" 

Hence  the  term,  when  an  address  is  made -for  a  local  or  particular 
object. 

In  1796,  Governor  Ashe  issued  a  proclamation  announcing  "  that 
in  pursuance  of  an  Act  to  provide  for  the  public  safety  by  granting 
encouragement  to  certain  manufacturers,  that  Jacob  Byler,  of  the 
county  of  Bimcombe,  had  exhibited  to  him  a  sample  of  gunpow- 
der, manufactiu'ed  by  him  in  the  year  1795,  and  also  a  certificate 
proving  that  he  had  made  six  hundred  and  sixty  three  pounds  of 
CTood,  merchantable,  rifle  gunpowder ;  and,  therefore,  he  was  en- 
titled to  the  bounty  under  that  Act." 

James  M.  Smith,  Esq.,  now  of  Asheville,  was  the  first  white 
child  born  west  of  the  Blue  Bidge  in  the  State  of  North  CaroKna. 

Population,  11.607  whites  ;  107  free  negroes  ;  1,717  slaves ;  12,738  federal 
population  ;  1,533  persons  who  cannot  read  or  write. 

Products,  22,903  bushels  of  wheat;  304,271  bushels  of  corn  ;  8,G19  pounds 
of  tobacco:  68,544  bushels  of  oats;  9,251  bushels  of  rye  ;  13,331  pounds  of 
wool;  18,127  dollars  worth  of  ginseng. 

Of  its  colonial  or  revolutionary  history  we  will  not  speak,  since 
it  was  formed  since  that  period.  But  the  valor  displayed  by  "  the 
brave  mountain  boys"  in  October,  1780,  under  Shelby,  Cleaveland, 
and  others,  on  King's  Mountain,  was  contributed  by  the  ancestry 
of  Buncombe,  then  Rutherford  and  Burke. 

In  this  county  are  the  Warm  Springs,  which  present  the  aston- 
ishing phenomenon  of  water  heated  by  nature ;  and  is  considered  a 
sovereign  cure  for  invalids  afilicted  with  rheumatic  affections. 

The  climate  is  lovely  beyond  description,  and  extremely  favora- 
ble to  health. 

The  scenery  excels  even  its  climate.  The  beautiful  turnpike 
road  from  Asheville  to  the  Warm  Springs,  with  the  towering  moun- 
tains on  one  side,  and  the  limpid  waters  of  the  French  Broad  River 
on  the  other,  presents  a  scenery  unrivaled,  either  by  the  fancied 
enchantments  of  the  Rhine,  or  the  famed  palisades  of  the  Hudson. 

The  Mineral  Springs  (Deaver's)  near  Asheville,  are  also  much 
resorted  to  in  the  simimer. 

The  fii'st  wagon  passed  from  Xorth  Carolina  to  Tennessee,  by 
the  Warm  Springs,  in  1795.  The  Territorial  Assembly  of  Ten- 
nessee, in  .June,  1795,  appointed  commissioners  to  confer  with  those 
of  South  Carolina,  upon  the  practicabiUty  of  a  road  from  Buncombe 
County  to  Tennessee,  and  upon  the  means  to  open  said  road.* 

*  Haywood,  History  of  Tennessee,  470. 


BUNCOMBE  COUNTY.  53 

Tlie  Buncombe  turnpike  now  has  made  this  one  of  the  best  passes 
of  the  mountains.  It  was  organized  in  February,  1826.  The  fii'st 
toll-gate  was  erected  in  October,  1827. 

This  county  is  the  Lirtliplace  of  the  Hon.  David  Lowrey  Swaix,  -who, 
■without  the  advantages  of  birth  or  fortune,  has  arisen  to  positions  of  power 
and  usefulness  in  North  Carolina,  and  has  always  been  equal  to  the  respon- 
sibilities of  his  duty.  He  was  born  in  Buncombe,  January  4,  1801,  educated 
at  Newton  Academy,  in  Asheville,  and  at  Chapel  Hill.  He  studied  law  with 
Judge  Taylor  in  Raleigh,  who  predicted,  from  the  industry  of  his  pupil,  his 
indcmiitable  perseverance  and  searching  mind,  the  eminence  he  has  since 
attained.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1823.  He  was  elected  to  the 
Legislature  in  1824,  "25  and  '20,  and  Solicitor  of  the  Edenton  District  in 
1827,  which  he  resigned  after  riding  one  circuit. 

He  was  again  elected  to  the  Legislature  in  1828  and  1829.  He  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  Board  of  Internal  Improvements  in  1830. 

In  1830,  he  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts,  which  he  resigned 
in  1832,  on  being  elected  Governor  of  the  State.  While  Governor  (1835)  he 
was  elected  a  Member  of  the  Conventiori  to  revise  the  Constitution;  and,_in 
the  same  year,  elected  President  of  the  Universitjr  of  North  Carolina,  which 
important  and  responsible  position  he  now  occupies. 

He  married,  in  1826,  Eleanor  11. ,  fourth  daughter  of  "William  White,  late 
Secretary  of  State  of  North  Carolina,  and  grand-daughter  of  Governor  Cas- 
well. 

It  does  not  become  us  to  speak  here  of  those  now  on  the  stage 
of  action,  further  than  to  state  facts  and  dates,  leaving  to  other 
hands  and  other  times~  to  do  justice  to  pubhc  service  and  acknow- 
ledged merit. 

The  ancient  Greeks  had  a  maxim,  "  call  no  man  happy  till  he  is 
dead ;"  then  may  history  speak  of  its  subjects  as  their  merits 
deserve. 

The  residence  of  Hon.  Thomas  L.  Clingman  is  in  this  county.  He  is  a 
native  of  Surry.  He  graduated  at  the  University,  in  1832,  with  distinguished 
honor,  and  studied  law.  He  was  elected  a  member  in  the  House  of  Commons 
from  Surry,  in  1835 ;  senator  from  Buncombe,  in  1840,  and  a  member  of  Con- 
gress in  1843,  and  again  1847.  He  was  again  re-elected  (August,  1851),  by 
a  triumphant  majority,  over  Col.  B.  S.  Gaither. 

I  have  met  with  a  printed  record  of  a  citizen  of  Buncombe,  of 
much  interest. 

James  Patton  was  born  in  Ireland,  County  of  Derry,  on  the  13th  February, 
1756,  of  poor  but  respectable  parents.  He  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1783, 
a  weaver  by  trade.  By  industry,  economy,  and  integrity,  he  was  the  foiinder 
of  his  own  fortunes,  and  raised  a  large  and  respectable  family.  He  died  at 
an  advanced  age,  loved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

By  the  Constitution  of  1835,  until  1841,  Buncombe,  Haywood,  and  Macon, 
composed  the  49th  Senatorial  District.  By  act  of  1842,  Buncombe,  Yancey,  and 
Henderson,  form  the  50th  Senatorial  District. 

List  of  members  from  Buncombe  County  to  the  General  Assembly  from  its 
formation  to  last  session. 

Years.  Senators.  Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

1792.  Wm.  Davidson,  Gabriel  Ragsdale,  Wm.  Brittain.    ^ 

1793.  Robert  Love,  William  Brittain,  Gabriel  Ragsdale. 

1794.  Robert  Love,  Wm.  Brittain,  Gabriel  Ragsdale. 

1795.  Robert  Love,  Wm.  Brittain,  Gabriel  Ragsdale. 

1796.  James  Brittain,  Wm.  Brittain,  Philip  Iloodenpye. 


54 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senators. 

1797.  James  Bvittain, 

1800.  Josh.  Williams, 

1801.  Josh.  Williams, 

1802.  James  Brittain, 

1803.  Josh.  Williams, 

1804.  James  Brittain, 

1805.  James  Brittain, 

1806.  Zebulon  Beard, 

1807.  James  Brittain, 

1808.  Jno.  McFarland, 

1809.  Zebulon  Beard, 

1810.  lit.  Williamson, 

1811.  lit.  Williamson, 

1812.  John  Longmire, 

1813.  J.  Longmire, 

1814.  J.  Longmire, 

1815.  Ep.  Hightower, 

1816.  John  Longmira, 

1817.  Thomas  Foster, 

1818.  Zebulon  Beard, 

1819.  Thomas  Foster, 

1821.  Zebulon  Beard, 

1822.  Z.  Beard, 

1823.  Philip  Brittain, 

1824.  P.  Brittain, 

1825.  A.  A.  McDowell, 

1826.  A.  A.  McDowell, 

1827.  A.  A.  McDowell, 

1828.  A.  A.  McDowell, 

1829.  James  Allen, 

1830.  James  Gudger, 

1831.  James  Allen, 

1832.  James  Allen, 

1833.  John  Clayton, 

1834.  James  Lowry, 

1835.  Ilodge  Rabun, 

1836.  James  Gudger, 
1838.  Ilodge  Rabun, 
1840.  T.  L.  Clingman, 
1842.  '  J.  Cathey, 
1844.  N.  W.  Woodfin, 
1846.  N.  W.  Woodfin, 
1848.  N.  W.  Woodfin, 
1850.  N.  W.  Woodfin, 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
Wm.  Brittain,  Thomas  Love, 
Thomas  Love,  Zebulon  Beard. 
Thomas  Love,  Zebulon  Beard. 
Thomas  Love,  Zebulon  Beard. 
Thomas  Love,  Zebulon  Beard. 
Thomas  Love,  Jacob  Boyler. 
Thomas  Love,  Jacob  Boyler. 
Thomas  Love,  Joseph  Pickens. 
Thomas  Love,  Joseph  Pickens. 
Thomas  Love,  Malcolm  Henry. 
Thomas  Foster,  Joseph  Pickens. 
Philip  Brittain,  Zephaniah  Horton. 
Philip  Brittain,  Samuel  Davidson. 
Zephaniah  Ilorton,  Thomas  Foster. 
Hamilton  Hyde,  Thomas  Foster. 
Hamilton  Hyde,  Thomas  Foster. 
Zeph.  Ilorton,  James  Lowrie. 
Philip  Brittain,  James  Lowrie. 
Philip  Brittain,  Charles  Moore. 
Charles  Moore,  James  Whitaker. 
James  Whitaker,  J.  M.  Cathey. 
Wm.  D.  Smith,  Wm.  Brittain,  Sr. 
Wm.  D.  Smith,  John  Anderson. 
James  Lowrie,  James  Whitaker. 
David  L.  Swain,  Benoni  Sams. 
David  L.  Swain,  James  Weaver. 
John  Clayton,  James  Allen. 
John  Clayton,  James  Allen. 
John  Clayton,  David  L.  Swain. 
David  L.  Swain,  Wm.  Orr. 
James  Weaver,  Wm.  Orr. 
James  Brevard,  John  Clayton. 
James  Weaver,  John  Clayton. 
James  Weaver,  Joseph  Henry. 
Joseph  Henry,  James  Weaver. 
Nath'l  Harrison,  Joseph  Pickett. 
Montreville  Patton,  John  Clayton. 
M.  Patton,  Philip  Brittain. 
M.  Patton,  Thomas  Morris. 
John  Burgin,  Geo.  W.  Candler. 
John  A.  Fagg,  John  Thrash. 
John  A.  Fagg,  A.  B.  Chunn. 
Newton  Coleman,  T.  W.  Atkin. 
Marcus  Erwin,  James  Sharpe. 


BURKE  COUNTY.  55 


CHAPTER  X. 


BURKE   COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation— Origin  of  name— Situation  and  boundaries— Population 
and  products— Morganton  its  capital— Climate— Early  history— Character, 
life,  and  services  of  Charles  McDowell,  Joseph  McDo^Yell,  Waightstill 
Avery,  Samuel  P.  Carson,  and  others — Israel  Pickens,  and  others — List  of 
Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Burke  from  date  of  erection  to 
the  last  session. 

Burke  County  was  formed  in  1777,  from  Rowan  County,  and 
named  in  compliment  to  the  celebrated  English  Statesman  and 
Orator,  Edmund  Burke. 

It  is  located  in  the  north-western  portion  of  the  State,  and  bound- 
ed on  the  north  by  the  counties  of  Yancey  and  Caldwell,  on  the 
east  by  Catawba,  on  the  south  by  Cleaveland  and  Rutherford,  and 
on  the  west  by  McDowell. 

Morganton,  the  capital  of  Burke  County,  is  called  in  compliment  of  General 
Daniel  Morgan.  General  Morgan  was  born  in  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania, 
and  emigrated  to  Virginia  in  1755,  where  he  engaged  as  overseer  for  Nathaniel 
Burrell,  Esq.,  then  in  Shenandoah,  now  Clarke  County,  Virginia.  He  was  a 
fearless  and  chivalric  officer.  He  was  with  General  Montgomery  at  Quebec, 
and  with  General  Gates  at  Saratoga.  He  was  promoted  to  be  a  Brigadier- 
General,  and  joined  the  army  in  the  south.  After  the  battle  of  Camden,  when 
Green  took  command,  Morgan  was  detached  to  raise  troops  in  the  western 
part  of  the  State,  and  South  Carolina.  Tarleton  met  him  at  the  Cowpens 
(Jan.  17th,  1781),  where  Morgan  gained  a  splendid  victory.  For  this.  Con- 
gress gave  him  a  gold  medal.  After  this  he  was  joined  by  General  Green,  on 
the  east  bank  of  the  Catawba.  A  controversy  ensued  between  Green  and 
Morgan,  as  to  the  route  the  latter  should  pursue  in  his  retreat  from  the  ad- 
vancing force  of  Cornwallis.  Morgan  was  greatly  dissatisfied,  and  when  the 
two  divisions  united,  at  Guilford  Court  House,  he  returned  from  the  army  to 
his  farm  in  Virginia,  where  he  remained  until  the  war  was  over. 

During  the  whisky  troubles  (1794)  in  Pennsylvania,  he  was  appointed  by 
Washington  to  put  the  insurgents  down  by  the  bayonet.  He  remained  among 
them  until  the  spring,  when  the  difiiculties  were  settled,  and  he  was  ordered 
to  withdraw  his  troops.  He  returned  to  bis  farm,  and  became  ambitious 
for  political  honors.  In  his  first  attempt  he  was  defeated  for  Congress,  but 
elected  on  a  second  trial,  and  served  in  Congress,  in  1797  to  1799.  His 
health  failing,  he  declined  a  re-election.  He  died  at  Winchester,  Virginia,  on 
July  6th,  1802. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  tombstone  from  his  gi'ave  in  the 
Baptist  Churchyard,  in  Winchester,  Virginia : — 

13 


56  HISTORY  or  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Major-General  Daxiel  Morgan, 

Departed  this  life 

On  July  the  6th,  1802, 

In  the  GTth  year  of  his  age. 

Patriotism  and  valor  -were  the  prominent 

Features  of  his  character, 

And 

The  honoraljle  services  he  rendered 

to  his  Country 

During  the  Revolutionary  TVar, 

CroTvned  him  -with  glory,  and  will  remain 

In  the  hearts  of  his 

Countrymen, 

A  perpetual  monument 

to  his 

Memory. 

Morganton  is  a  beautiful,  healthful,  and  flourishing  ^-illage,  con- 
tainino-  several  churches,  a  handsome  coui't  house,  and  other  public 
buildings ;  a  branch  of  the  Bank  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina, 
several  stores,  public  houses,  and  handsome  private  residences. 

The  Supreme  Court  holds  its  summer  session  here  in  August. 
Its  distance  from  Raleigh  is  one  hundred  and  eighty-seven  miles. 

Its  Population  is  5,477  whites;  163  free  negroes;  2,132  slaves  ;  6,919  fede- 
ral population  ;  1.091  persons  who  cannot  read. 

Products,  45,976  bushels  wlieat :  37,809  bushels  potatoes ;  620.996  bush- 
els corn  ;  43,644 pounds  cotton  ;  21,137  pounds  wool;  17,718  pounds  tobacco; 
38,122  dollars  worth  of  gold. 

Her  early  history,  formed  as  she  was  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  is  con- 
nected with  Rowan. 

The  life  and  character  of  TTaightstill  Averv,  who  was  a  resident  and  died 
in  this  county,  is  worthy  of  the  State,  and  his  exalted  public  services  should 
be  held  in  grateful  remembrance. 

Ha  was  born  in  Norwich,  Connecticut,  and  was  educated  at  Princeton,  at 
which  renowned  institution  he  graduated  in  1766.  He  was  a  tutor  in  that 
college  for  a  year,  when  he  removed  to  Maryland,  and  studied  law  under 
Littleton  Dennis.  He  emigrated  to  Xorth  Carolina,  and  was  licensed  to  prac- 
tice law  in  1769.  He  settled  in  Charlotte,  where  he  soon  acquired  friends, 
and  rapid  promotion.  He  was  active  in  encouraging  education  and  litera- 
ture, and  was  a  most  devoted  friend  of  Liberty.  In  the  dubious  and  danger- 
ous conflict  with  the  mother  country,  he  led  the  bold  spirits  of  the_day  in 
that  patriotic  county,  and  was  a  member  of  the  convention  in  May,  1775,  that 
declared  independence. 

The  minutes  of  the  council  of  safety  for  Mecklenburg  show  his  zeal  in  the 
cause  of  Liberty  ;  and  the  confidence  of  his  countrymen  in  his  talents  and 
integrity  is  proved  by  the  important  duties  he  was  engaged  to  perform.  This 
called  down  upon  his  head  the  vengeance  of  the  enemy ;  for  when  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  occupied  Charlotte,  in  1781,  the  law  oflBce  of  Colonel  Avery,  with  all  his 
"books  and  papers,  was  burnt. 

In  1775  he  was  a  delegate  from  Mecklenburg,  in  the  State  Congress,  at 
Hillsboro',  which  placed  the  State  in  military  organization.  In  1776  he  was  a 
delegate  of  the  same  to  the  same,  which  met  at  Halifax,  and  which  formed 
our  State  Constitution.  He  was  appointed  one  of  the  signers  to  the  procla- 
mation bills. 

In  1777  he  was  sent  by  the  council  with  orders  to  General  Williamson  at 
Keowee,  in  South  Carolina. 

He  was  appointed  by  Governor  Alexander  Martin,  in  1777,  with  Brigadier- 
General  John  McDowell  and  Col.  John  Sevier,  to  treat  with  the  Cherokee 
Indians.  • '«,, 

This  commission  did  nothing,  but  subsequently  with  "William  Sharpe,  Jo- 


BURKE  COUNTY.  57 

seph  Winston  and  Kobert  Lanier,  the  treaty  of  the  Long  Island  of  Ilolston 
was  formed,  on  the  20th  July,  1777. 

This  treaty  was  appointed  by  Patrick  Henry,  Governor  of  Virginia.  Ilis 
instructions  were  issued  to  Col.  Wm.  Christian,  Col.  Wm.  Preston,  Col, 
Evan  Shelby,  or  any  two  of  them;  Gov.  Caswell  appointed  Waightstill 
Avery,  Wm.  Sharp,  Robert  Lanier,  and  Joseph  Winston.* 

The  Long  Island  of  Ilolston  is  about  three  miles  in  length,  on  the  main 
Ilolston  Eiver,  just  above  the  point  where  the  North  Fork  joins  it. 

He  was  elected  the  first  Attorney-General  of  North  Carolina  (in  1777). 

He  married  a  widow  (Mrs.  Franks),  in  Jones  County,  in  1778,  near  New- 
bern,  and  was  that  year  appointed  Colonel  of  Jones  County,  and  was  in  active 
service  in  this  county. 

In  consequence  of  the  climate  of  Jones  County  disagreeing  with  him,  he 
resigned  his  commission  of  Attorney-General.  In  1781,  he  removed  to  Burke 
County,  which  he  represented  for  many  years  :  and  where,  enjoying  peace 
and  plenty,  and  the  love  and  regard  of  his  neighbors,  he  died  in  1821. 

He  was,  at  the  time  of  his  death,  "  the  Patriarch  of  the  North  Carolina 
Bar;"  an  exemplary  Christian,  a  pure  patriot,  and  an  honest  man. 

Charles  McDowell,  and  Joseph  McDowell,  both  distinguished  in  "  the 
times  that  tried  men's  souls,"  were  residents  of  this  county. 

Important  services  were  rendered  by  them  to  their  country. 

They  were  brothers.  Their  father,  Joseph  McDowell,  with  his  wife,  Mar- 
garet O'Neal,  had  emigrated  from  Ireland,  and  settled  in  Winchester,  Va., 
where  Charles  and  Joseph  were  born.  The  first  (Charles),  in  1743.  His 
father  removed  to  Burke  County. 

In  Jane,  1780,  Colonel  Charles  McDowell  was  joined  by  Isaac  Shelby  and 
John  Sevier,  from  Tennessee ;  and  Colonel  Clarke,  of  Georgia,  near  the 
Cherokee  Ford,  on  Broad  River,  in  South  Carolina. 

He  determined  to  attack  and  destroy  a  post  held  by  the  enemy  on  Pacolet, 
commanded  by  Capt.  Patrick  Moore,  a  distinguished  loyalist.  The  fort  was 
strongly  fortified.  On  being  surrounded  by  Colonel  Shelby,  the  enemy,  after 
some  parley,  surrendered  as  prisoners  of  war :  one  British  Sergeant-Major, 
ninety-three  loyalists,  250  fire-arms,  and  other  munitions  of  war,  were  the 
fruits  of  this  capture. f 

Gen.  McDowell  detached  Shelby  to  watch  the  movements  of  Ferguson,  and 
attack  him.  On  the  1st  of  August,  1780,  at  Cedar  Spring,  where  Shelby  met 
the  advance  of  Ferguson,  about  GOO  strong,  a  spirited  and  active  contest 
commenced;  but,  on  the  enemy  being  reinforced,  Shelby  made  good  his 
retreat,  carrying  from  the  field  twenty  prisoners ;  among  them  were  two 
British  ofiicers.J 

At  Musgrove's  Mill,  on  the  south  side  of  Enoree  River,  Colonel  McDowell 
learnt  that  a  party  of  500  Tories  had  assembled. 

He  detached  Shelby,  Williams,  and  Clarke,  to  attack  them.  Colonel  Fergu- 
son with  his  whole  force  lay  between.  They  left  the  camp  on  the  evening  of 
the  18th  August,  at  Smith's  Ford,  on  Broad  River,  and  taking  a  circuitous 
route  through  the  woods,  avoided  Ferguson's  forces.  They  rode  hard  all 
night,  and  at  daybreak  met  the  enemy's  patrol  in  strong  force.  A  skirmish 
ensued ;  the  Tories  retreated.  They  then  advanced  on  the  main  body  of  the 
Tories.  At.this  juncture,  a  countryman  living  near,  a  friend  of  liberty,  came 
to  Shelby  and  informed  him  that  the  enemy  had  been  reinforced  the  evening 
before,  by  six  hundred  regular  troops,  and  the  Queen's  American  Regiment, 
from  New  York,  commanded  by  Colonel  Innos,  marching  to  join  Ferguson. 
Here  was  a  position  that  wuuld  have  tried  the  talent  and  nerve  of  the  most  skill- 
ful and  brave  ofi&cer.  Advance  was  hopeless,  and  retreat  impossible.  But 
Shelby  was  equal  to  the  emergency.  He  instantly  commenced  forming  a 
breastwork  of  brush  and  old  logs,  while  he  detailed  Captain  Inman  with 
twentv-five  tried  men,  to  reconnoitre  and  skirmish  with  the  enemy,  as  soon  as 

*  Haywood's  History  of  Tennessee,  451. 

I  Life  of"  Isaac  Shelby,  National  Portrait  Gallery,  1834. 

I  Lile  of  Shelby,  Haywood's  History  of  Tennessee,  55. 


58  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

they  crossed  the  Enoree  River.  The  drums  and  bugles  of  the  enemy  soon  were 
heard  approaching  upon  this  devoted  band.  Inman  had  been  ordered  to  fire 
and  retreat.  This  stratagem  was  successful,  for  the  enemy,  in  rapid  pursuit, 
advanced  in  great  confusion,  believing  that  the  whole  American  force  was 
routed.  When  they  approached  the  rude  ramparts  of  Shelby,  they  received 
from  his  riflemen  a  most  destructive  fire,  which  carried  great  slaughter  among 
them.  This  was  gallantly  kept  up ;  all  the  British  ofiicers  were  either 
killed  or  wounded,  the  Tory  leader,  Hawsey,  shot  down.  They  then  began  a 
disorderly  retreat.  The  Americans  now  in  turn  pursued,  and  in  this  pursuit 
the  brave  Captain  Inman  was  killed,  fighting  hand  to  hand  with  the  enemy. 
Shelby  commanded  the  right  wing,  Colonel  Clarke  the  left,  and  Colonel  Wil- 
liams the  centre. 

A  more  brilliant  battle,  fought  with  an  inferior  against  a  superior  force,  and 
more  complete  triumph,  did  not  occur  in  the  whole  Revolutionary  struggle. 

This  battle  seems  to  have  escaped  the  notice  of  many  of  the  historians  of 
the  day.  I  find  a  notice  of  it  in  the  History  of  Tennessee,  by  Judge  John 
Haywood,  and  McCall's  History  of  Georgia.  The  British  loss  was  63  killed, 
and  IGO  wounded  and  prisoners  ;  the  American  loss  was  only  four  killed, 
among  them  brave  Capt.  Inman,  and  Capt.  Clarke  wounded. 

The  triumphant  victors  were  about  to  remount,  and  advance  on  the  British 
post  at  Ninety-sis,  when  an  express  arrived  from  Colonel  McDowell,  with  a 
letter  from  Gov.  Caswell,  informing  them  of  the  defeat  of  Gen.  Gates,  at  Cam- 
den, on  the  16th,  and  advising  the  retreat  of  our  troops ;  as  the  British, 
flushed  with  victory,  would  advance  in  strong  force,  and  cut  off  all  detach- 
ments of  our  people. 

With  Ferguson  near  him,  encumbered  with  more  than  200  prisoners, 
Shelby  acted  with  energy  and  promptness.  He  distributed  the  prisoners 
among  the  companies,  each  behind  a  private,  and  without  stopping  day  or 
night,  retreated  over  the  mountains  to  a  place  of  safety.  This  rapid  movement 
saved  his  men  and  himself.  For  the  next  day  Major  Dupoister,  and  a  strong 
body  of  Ferguson's  men  made  an  active  but  fruitless  search. 

So  great  was  the  panic  after  Gates's  defeat,  and  Sumpter's  disaster  at 
Fishing  Creek,  18th  Aus^.,  1780,  by  Tarleton,  that  McDowell's  army  was  dis- 
banded and  he  himself  retreated  over  the  mountains. 

This  was  a  "  dark  and  doleful"  period  of  American  History.  The  British 
flag  floated  in  triumph  over  Charleston  and  Savannah.  The  troops  of  Corn- 
wallis,  with  all  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  glory,  advanced  from  the 
field  of  Camden,  to  Charlotte,  in  our  State.  The  brave  had  despaired,  the 
timid  took  protection  under  the  enemy.  Colonel  Fei'guson,  with  chosen 
troops,  ravaged  the  whole  west,  subduing  all  the  opponents  of  English  power, 
and  encouraging  by  bribes  and  artifice,  others  to  join  him. 

Under  all  these  discouraging  circumstances,  the  brave  spirits  of  the  west 
never  despaired.  On  the  mountain  heights  of  our  State,  and  in  its  secure 
retreats,  like  Warsaw's  "  last  champion,"  stood  the  stalwart  soldiers  of  that 
day:— 

"  Oh  Heaven  !"  they  said,  "our  bleeding  country  save! 
Is  there  no  hand  on  high  to  shield  the  brave  ? 
What  though  destruction  sweep  these  lovely  plains  ! 
Rise,  fellow  men  !  our  country  yet  remains ; 
Ey  that  dread  name  we  wave  the  sword  on  high, 
And  swear  tor  her  to  live !  for  her  to  die  !"* 

If  the  sky  was  gloomy,  a  storm  was  gathering  in  these  mountain  fastnesses, 
which  was  soon  to  descend  in  all  its  fury  on  the  heads  of  the  efiemies  of  our 
country. 

It  was  known  to  McDowell,  Campbell,  Shelby,  and  Sevier,  that  Ferguson 
was  at  Gilbert  town  in  Rutherford  county,  with  a  force  of  2000  men,  which, 
from  the  condition  of  the  country,  he  could  increase  to  twice  that  number. 
They  resolved  to  attack  him,  disperse  his  force,  or  prevent  its  augmentation, 
and'thus  to  keep  the  spirit  of  liberty  alive  in  the  South. 

*  Campbell's  Pleasures  of  Hope. 


BUKKE  COUNTY.  59 

These  brave  men,  not  dislieartened  by  the  misfortunes  of  their  country  or 
dismayed  by  the  force  of  the  enemy,  assembled  at  Watauga  on  the  25t"h  of 
September  1780,  with  their  fearless  followers.  They  prepared  to  march  ou 
the  enemy,  and  in  their  march  they  were  joined  by  Col.  Cleaveland  with  a 
force  of  three  or  four  hundred  men.  This  Avas  the  first  of  October.  The 
next  day  was  so  wet  that  the  army  did  not  move.  The  otficers  met  in  council 
at  night ;  they  all  felt  deeply  the  dangers  and  difficulties  of  their  position. 
It  was  no  holiday  excursion  or  pleasure  trip  in  which  they  were  engaged  ; 
the  liberty  of  their  country,  the  lives  of  themselves,  the  safety  of  their  wives 
and  children  were  the  object  of  their  deliberations.  Never  around  a  council 
of  war,  were  purer  minds  deliberating,  never  firmer  hearts  assembled.  They 
were  all  of  equal  rank,  and  as  the  troops  were  in  Col.  McDowell's  district, 
he  was  entitled  to  the  command.  But  his  generous  temper  did  not  desire  to 
command  Col.  Shelby,  who  had  just  achieved  the  brilliant  victory  of  Mus- 
grove  Mill  over  Colonel  Ennis  and  the  Tories ;  or  the  fearless  Sevier,  the 
hero  of  a  hundred  Indian  fights,  whose  sobriquet  as  "  NoUichucky  Jack," 
would  rally  a  thousand  men  at  any  moment  to  battle ;  nor  the  accomplished 
Campbell  from  Virginia.  I  extract  from  an  account  of  this  battle  by  Governor 
Shelby,  published  in  1823. 

"  Col.  McDowell  was  the  commanding  officer  of  the  district  we  were  in, 
and  had  commanded  the  armies  of  militia  assembled  in  that  quarter  all  the 
summer  before,  against  the  same  enemy.  He  was  a  brave  and  patriotic  man, 
but  we  considered  him  too  far  advanced  in  life,  and  too  inactive  for  the  com- 
mand of  such  an  enterprise  as  we  were  then  engaged  in."  *  *  *  *  * 
It  was  decided  to  send  to  the  head  quarters  for  some  general  officer  to  com- 
mand the  expedition. 

"  Col.  McDowell,  who  had  the  good  of  his  country  more  at  heart  than  any 
title  of  command,  submitted  to  what  was  done,  l)ut  observed,  that  as  he  could 
not  be  permitted  to  command,  he  would  be  the  messenger  to  go  to  head 
quai'ters  for  the  general  officer. 

"  He  accordingly  started  immediately,  leaving  his  men  under  his  brother, 
Major  Joseph  McDowell." 

In  council  next  day,  Shelby  urged  that  time  to  them  was  precious,  and 
delay  dangerous  ;  that  Ferguson  would  attack  them,  if  he  thought  himself  ia 
force  ;  if  not,  daily  acquisitions  to  his  men  would  be  made;  under  these  cir- 
cumstances he  moved  the  council,  that,  as  they,  except  Col.  Campbell,  were 
all  North  Carolinians,  that,  by  courtesy,  Campbell  should  take  the  command, 
and  that  forthwith  they  should  attack  Ferguson.  This  daring  and  patriotic 
advice  was  adopted;  they  prepai-ed  to  attack  Ferguson  at  Gilbert  town.  Here 
they  were  joined  by  Colonel  John  Williams  of  South  Carolina,  with  about  400 
men.  They  reached  Gilbert  town  the  next  day,  but  Ferguson  had  left,  and 
taken  a  strong  position  on  King's  Mountain,  which  he  deemed  so  impreg- 
nable, that  on  viewing  it,  he  impiously  asserted  he  was  now  in  a  place  that 
"God  Ahnightii  could  not  drive  him  from." 

Notwithstanding  this,  it  was  apparent  that  Ferguson  was  well  aware  of  the 
peril  of  his  position.  Surrounded  by  his  vigilant  opponents,  all  succor  from 
Cornwallis  was  hopeless.  His  animated  appeal  to  rouse  the  Tories,  as  pub- 
lished, shows  that  he  had  a  fearful  presentiment  of  the  fate  that  now  awaited 
him.* 

About  three  o'clock  on  the  7th  of  October,  1780,  after  being  in  the  saddle 
thirty  hours,  without  rest,  and  drenched  by  a  heavy  rain,  these  fearless  men 
approached  King's  Mountain. 

This  memorable  spot  is  located  on  the  borders  of  North  and  South 
Carolina  (Cleaveland  County);  it  extends  from  east  to  west;  its  summit 
is  about  five  hundred  yards  long,  and  sixty  or  seventy  broad.  On  this 
summit  was  Ferguson  posted.  McDowell's  men,  under  Joseph  McDowell, 
Colonel  Sevier  and  Major  Winston,  formed  the  right  wing;  Campbell  and 
Shelby  the  centre;  the  left  wing  by  Colonels  Cleaveland  and  Williams. 
The  plan  of  battle  was  to  surround  the  mountain  and  attack  each  side 
simultaneously.     The  centre   commenced  the  attack,    and  marched  boldly 

*  See  Cleaveland,  chapter  xx. 


60  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

up  the  mountain.  The  battle  here  was  fierce,  furious  and  bloody.  The  cen- 
tre gave  way,  but  rallied,  and,  reinforced  by  Campbell's  regiment,  returned 
to  the  charge.  Towards  the  latter  part  of  the  action,  the  enemy  made  a 
furious  onset  from  the  eastern  summit,  and  drove  the  Americans  to  the  foot; 
there  they  rallied,  and  in  close  column,  returned  to  the  attack,  and  in  turn 
drove  the  enemy.  They  gained  the  summit,  and  drove  the  enemy  before 
them  to  the  western  end,  where  Cleaveland  and  Williams  had  been  contend- 
ing with  another  part  of  their  line.  Campbell  now  reached  the  summit,  and 
poured  on  the  enemy  a  deadly  fire.  The  brave  Ferguson,  like  a  lion  at  bay, 
turned  on  these  new  adversaries,  and  advanced  with  fixed  bayonet.  They 
gave  way  for  a  moment,  but  rallied  under  their  gallant  leaders  to  the  attack. 
"  The  whole  mountain  was  covered  with  smoke,  and  seemed  to  thunder."  At- 
tacked on  all  sides,  the  circle  becoming  less  and  less,  Ferguson  in  a  despe- 
rate move  endeavored  to  break  through  the  American  lines,  and  was  shot 
dead  in  the  attempt.  This  decided  the  day.  The  British  flag  was  lowered, 
and  a  white  flag  raised  for  quarters. 

One  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  enemy,  including  their  commander,  lay  dead 
on  thefield,  810  wounded  and  prisoners,  1500  stand  of  arms,  and  the  American 
authority  restored,  were  the  fruits  of  this  victory. 

This  was  the  turning  point  of  the  fortunes  of  America.  This  decisive  blow 
prostrated  the  British  power  for  the  time,  vanquished  the  Tory  influence,  and 
encouraged  the  hopes  of  the  patriots. 

Lord  Cornwallis  left  Charlotte  and  fell  back  to  Winnsboro',  deeming  any 
proximity  to  such  fearless  men  unsafe  for  the  main  army,  nor  did  he  advance 
until  reinforced  by  General  Leslie  with  troops  from  the  north. 

The  official  reports  of  this  battle  are  recorded  under  the  head  of  Cleaveland 
County,  Chapter  XX. 

Joseph  McDowell  was  in  the  Convention  which  met  at  Hillsboro'  on  21st 
July,  1788,  to  consider  the  Federal  Constitution,  of  which  Samuel  Johnston, 
Governor  of  the  State,  was  President.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  oppo- 
sition to  that  instrument,*  which  was  rejected  by  184  to  84. 

He  often  participated  in  the  debates.  The  following,  extracted  from  the 
journals,  will  show  his  views  and  the  chai-acter  of  his  mind.f 

Wednesday,  2>0th  July,  1788. 

Mr.  Jos.  INIcDowELL — -Mr.  Chairman,  I  was  in  hopes  that  amendments 
would  have  been  brought  forward  to  the  constitution  before  the  idea  of 
adopting  it  had  been  thought  of  or  proposed.  From  the  best  information, 
there  is  a  great  proportion  of  the  people  in  the  adopting  States  averse  to  it 
as  it  stands.  I  collect  my  information  from  respectable  authority.  I  know 
the  necessity  of  a  federal  government ;  I  therefore  wish  this  was  one  in  which 
our  liberties  and  privileges  were  secured;  for  I  consider  the  Union  as  the  rock 
of  onr  political  salvation.  I  am  for  the  strongest  federal  government.  A  bill 
of  rights  ought  to  have  been  inserted  to  ascertain  our  most  valuable  and 
unalienable  rights. 

The  f  mrth  section  of  the  first  clausd  gives  the  Congress  an  unlimited  power 
over  elections.  This  matter  was  not  cleared  up  to  my  satisfaction.  They 
have  full  power  to  alter  it  from  one  time  of  the  year  to  another,  so  as  that  it 
shall  be  impossible  for  the  people  to  attend.  They  may  fix  the  time  in  winter, 
and  the  place  at  Edenton,  when  the  weather  will  be  so  bad  that  the  people 
cannot  attend.  The  State  governments  will  be  mere  boards  of  elections.  The 
clause  of  elections  gives  the  Congress  power  over  the  time  and  manner  of 
choosing  the  Senate. 

I  wish  to  know  why  reservation  was  made  of  the  place  and  time  of  choosing 
senators,  and  not  also  of  electing  representatives.  It  points  to  the  time  when 
the  States  shall  lie  all  consolidated  into  one  empire.  Trial  by  jury  is  not 
secured.  The  objections  against  this  want  of  security  have  not  been  cleared 
up  in  a  satisfactory  manner.     It  is  neither  secured  in  civil  nor  criminal  cases. 

*  Ellicott,  Debates,  vol.  ii   218. 

•f  Debates  iu  the  Convention  of  North  Carolina,  1788,  at  Hillsboro'. 


BURKE  COUNTY.  61 

The  federal  appellate  cognizance  of  law  and  facts  puts  it  in  the  power  of  the 
wealthy  to  recover,  unjustly,  of  the  poor  man  who  is  not  able  to  attend  at 
such  extreme  distance,  and  bear  such  enormous  expense  as  it  must  produce. 
It  ought  to  be  limited  so  as  to  prevent  such  oppressions. 

I  say  the  trial  by  jury  is  not  sufficiently  secured  in  criminal  cases  ;  the  very 
intention  of  the  trial  by  jury  is,  that  the  accused  may  be  tried  by  persons  who 
come  from  the  vicinity  or  neighborhood,  who  may  be  acquainted  with  his 
chai'acter.     The  substance,  therefore,  of  this  privilege  is  taken  away. 

By  the  power  of  taxation,  every  article  capable  of  being  taxed,  may  be  so 
heavily  taxed  that  the  people  cannot  bear  the  taxes  necessary  to  be  raised 
for  the  support  of  their  State  governments.  Whatever  we  may  make  may  be 
repealed  by  their  laws.  All  these  things,  with  others,  tend  to  make  us  one 
general  empire. 

Such  a  government  cannot  be  well  regulated,  when  we  are  connected  with 
the  Northern  States,  who  have  a  majority  in  their  favor — laws  may  be  made 
which  will  answer  their  convenience,  but  will  be  oppressive  to  the  last  de- 
gree upon  the  Southern  States.  They  differ  in  climate,  soil,  customs,  man- 
ners, &c.  A  large  majority  of  the  people  of  this  country  are  against  this 
constitution,  because  they  think  it  replete  with  dangerous  defects.  They 
ought  to  be  satisfied  with  it  before  it  is  adopted,  otherwise  it  cannot  ope- 
rate happily.  Without  the  affections  of  the  people,  it  will  not  have  sufficient 
energy  to  enforce  its  execution — ■recourse  must  be  had  to  arms  and  bloodshed. 
How  much  better  would  it  be  if  the  people  were  satisfied  with  it.  From  all 
these  considerations  I  now  rise  to  oppose  its  adoption,  for  I  never  will  agree 
to  a  government  that  tends  to  the  destruction  of  the  liberty  of  the  people. 

Charles  McDowell  was  a  member  of  the  Senate  of  the  State  Legislature 
in  1786,  1787,  and  1788. 

Joseph  McDowell  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  in  1782  to 
1788,  and  in  Congress  from  1793  to  1795,  and  from  1797  to  1799. 

At  one  time  (1786)  all  three  of  the  members  of  the  General  Assembly 
were  of  the  McDowell  family,  which  proves  their  usefulness  and  worth. 

General  Joseph  McDowell  lived  on  John's  River,  and  died  there.  Ilis 
family  returned  to  Virginia.  One  of  his  sons,  Hugh  Harvey,  now  resides  in 
Missouri — another,  Joseph  J.,  lives  in  Ohio,  and  in  1843  to  1847  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress  from  that  State. 

Genei-al  Charles  McDowell  married  Grace  Greenlee,  widow  of  Captain  John. 
Bowman,  who  fell  at  the  Battle  of  Ramsour's  Mill  (June  20, 1780),  by  whom 
he  had  several  children,  among  them  Captain  Charles  McDowell,  now  re- 
siding on  his  late  plantation  on  the  Catawba  River,  near  Morganton.  Gene- 
ral Charles  McDowell  died  31st  March,  1815. 

Samuel  P.  CARSoisr  was  also  a  native  and  resident  of  this  county.  He  was 
born  at  Pleasant  Garden,  and  was  distinguished  for  the  activity  of  his  mind, 
his  energy  of  character,  warm  and  enthusiastic  temper,  and  patriotic  feel- 

His  first  appearance  in  public  life  was  as  a  member  of  the  Senate  from 
Burke  County  in  1822,  and  again  in  1824. 

The  next  year,  1825,  he  was  elected  to  Congress  over  Dr.  R.  B.  Vance, 
where  he  served  continuously  until  1833. 

His  second  contest  with  Dr.  Robert  B.  Vance  in  1827,  produced  an  angry 
feeling  between  them,  which  was  terminated  by  a  duel  in  the  fall  of  that 
year,  at  Saluda  Gap,  in  South  Carolina,  in  which  Dr.  Vance  received  a  mor- 
tal wound,  of  which  he  soon  died. 

He  was  succeeded  in  Congress  by  Hon.  James  Graham,*  and  removed  soon 
after  to  Arkansas,  where  he  died  in  November,  1840. 

Israel  Pickexs,  late  Governor  of  Alabama,  was  born  in  Cabarrus  County, 
then  Mecklenburg,  represented  this  county  in  the  Senate  in  1809,  and  this 
District  in  Congress  in  1811  to  1817. 

*  For  whose  biography  see  Lincoln,  chapter  xlvi. 


62 


HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Burgess  S.  Gaither  is  a  resident  of  this  county,  and  the  present  Solicitor  of 
the  State  for  this  District.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Senate  in  1840  ;  Super- 
intendent of  the  Mint  in  1841,  and  Speaker  of  the  Senate  in  1844. 

Many  others  of  Burke  might  be  named,  but  ah-eady  has  the  sketch  been 
extended  beyond  the  limits  prescribed,  and  another  edition  will  present  their 
names,  lives,  and  services  to  the  country. 

The  following  are  the  members  of  the   General  Assembly  from 
Burke  County,  from  date  of  erection  to  last  session. 


Years.  Senators. 

1778.  Charles  McDowell, 

1779.  Eph'm  McClain, 

1780.  Eph'm  McClain, 

1781.  Andrew  Woods, 

1782.  Ch.  McDowell, 

1783.  Ch.  McDowell, 

1784.  Ch.  McDowell, 

1785.  Ch.  McDowell, 

1786.  Ch.  McDowell, 

1787.  Ch.  McDowell, 

1788.  Ch.  McDowell, 

1791.  Jos.  McDowell, 

1792.  Jos.  McDowell, 

1793.  Jos.  McDowell, 

1794.  Jos.  McDowell, 

1795.  Jos.  McDowell, 

1796.  W.  Avery, 

1797.  James  Murphy, 

1800.  Andrew  Beard, 

1801.  A.  Beard, 

1802.  Wm.  Davenport, 

1803.  Andrew  Beard, 

1804.  John  11.  Stevely, 

1805.  J.  H.  Stevely, 

1806.  J.  H.  Stevely, 

1807.  AVilliam  Tate, 

1808.  Israel  Pickens, 

1809.  I.  Pickens, 

1810.  David  Tate, 

1811.  David  Tate, 

1812.  Hodge  Rabourn, 

1813.  H.  Rabourn, 

1814.  David  Tate, 

1815.  A.  A.  McDowell, 

1816.  Ales.  Perkins, 

1817.  A.  Perkins, 

1818.  David  Tate, 

1819.  Alex.  Perkins, 

1821.  David  Tate, 

1822.  Sam'l  P.  Carson, 

1823.  J.  R.  McDowell, 

1824.  Sam'l  P.  Carson, 

1825.  J.  R.  McDowell, 

1826.  Matthew  Baird, 

1827.  Merritt  Burgin, 

1828.  M.  Burgin, 

1829.  M.  Burgin, 

1830.  David  Newland, 

1831.  Mark  Brittain, 

1832.  Jas.  McDowell, 

1833.  Mark  Brittain, 

1834.  Sam'l  P.  Carson, 


Members  of  House  of  Commons. 
Eph'm  McClain,  Jas.  Wilson. 
Thomas  AVilson,  Wm.  Morrison. 
Hugh  Brevard,  Jos.  McDowell. 
Hugh  Brevard,  Jos.  McDowell. 
Waightstill  Avery,  Jos.  McDowell. 
J.  McDowell,  Waightstill  Avery. 
W.  Avery,  J.  McDowell. 
J.  McDowell,  Waightstill  Avery. 
J.  McDowell,  David  Vance. 
J.  McDowell,  Jos.  McDowell,  Jr. 
J.  McDowell,  Jos.  McDowell,  Jr. 
J.  McDowell,  Jr.,  David  Vance. 
John  M.  McDowell,  Jos.  McDowell,  Jr. 
Waightstill  Avery,  Alex.  Erwin. 
Alex.  Erwin,  John  McDowell. 
A.  Erwin,  Conrad  Heldebrand. 
Wm.  White,  Alexander  Erwin. 

A.  Erwin,  Conrad  Heldebrand. 
Wm.  Davenport,  Wm.  Walton. 

B.  Smith,  David  Tate. 
David  Tate,  Thos.  McEntire. 
David  Tate,  Thos.  Coleman. 
A.  Erwin,  Hodge  Rabourn. 
John  Carson,  Brice  Collins. 
John  Carson,  Brice  Collins. 
Brice  Collins,  David  Tate. 
Abraham  Fleming,  Thos.  Brevard. 
Chas.  McDowell,  Isaac  T.  Avery. 
Isaac  T.  Avery,  Chas.  McDowell. 
Chas.  McDowell,  Isaac  T.  Avery. 
Wm.  Dickson,  John  M.  Greenlee. 
Wm.  Dickson,  Brice  Collins. 
Brice  Collins,  Wm.  Dickson. 
Brice  Collins,  Joel  Coffee. 

Brice  Collins,  John  Phagan. 
Brice  Collins,  J.  R.  McDowell. 
J.  R.  McDowell,  Matthew  Beard. 
Brice  Collins,  J.  R.  McDowell. 
Brice  Collins,  Wm.  Dickson. 
Matthew  Baird,  Merritt  Burgin. 
Wm.  Roane,  Brice  Collins. 
Alney  Burgin,  Peter  Ballew. 
Peter  Ballew,  Edwin  Poor. 
David  Newland,  Edwin  Poor, 
David  Newland,  David  Neill. 
David  Newland,  Mark  Brittain. 
Joseph  Neill,  David  Newland. 
Elias  A.  Hooper,  Alney  Burgin. 
Alney  Burgin,  Francis  P.  Glass. 
A.  Burgin,  F.  P.  Glass. 
A.  Burgin,  David  Corpening. 
Jas.  U.  Perkins,  Sam'l  Fleming. 


CABARRUS  COUNTY.  63 

Years.  Senators.  Members  of  House  of  Commons. 

1835.  Peter  Ballen,  Edw'd  J.  Erwin,  Jas.  II.  Perkins. 

1836.  Thomas  Baker,  Edw'd  J.  Erwin,  James  H.  Perkins, 

and  Elisha  P.  Miller. 
1838.     Thos.  Baker,  Edw'd  J.  Erwin,  Wm.  M.  Carson, 

and  E.  P.  Miller. 
1^0.     B.  S.  Gaither,  Wm.  M.  Carson,  E.  P.  Miller, 

and  Jos.  Neal. 
1842.     A.  Burgin,  Sam'l  J.  Neal,  Todd  R.  Caldwell, 

and  W.  W.  Avery. 
1844.    B.  S.  Gaither,  T.  R.  Caldwell,  Benj.  Burgin. 

1846.     S.  F.  Patterson,  Wm.  F.  McKesson,  J.  J.  Erwin. 

1848.     S.  F.  Patterson,  Alfred  Mailor,  S.  B.  Erwin. 

1850.     Tod  R.  Caldwell,         W.  W.  Avery,  T.  Geo.  Walton. 


CHAPTER   XI, 


CABARRUS   COUNTY. 


Date  of  its  formation — Origin  of  name,  situation  and  boundaries — Population 
and  products — Concord  its  capital — Early  history — Black  Boys,  or  the  gun- 
powder plot — Character  and  services  of  her  sons — Members  of  Assembly. 

Cabarrus  County  was  formed  in  1792,  from  Mecklenburg 
County,  and  was  so  named  in  compliment  to  Stephen  Cabarrus, 
member  from  Chowan  County,  and  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons. Mr.  Cabarrus  lived  m  Edenton,  or  near,  at  a  place  called 
Pembroke.  He  was  a  native  of  France,  a  man  of  great  vivacity 
and  talent,  a  useful  and  honorable  man. 

It  is  situated  in  the  south-western  part  of  the  State,  and  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Rowan  and  Iredell,  east  by  Stanly  County,  south 
by  Union,  and  west  by  Mecklenburg. 

Its  population  is  6,943  whites;  119  free  negroes;  2,685  slaves;  8,673 
federal  population  ;  753  persons  who  cannot  read. 

Its  products  are  86,300  bushels  of  wheat;  418,180  bushels  of  corn;  51,998 
bushels  of  oats  ;  17,276  bushels  of  potatoes  ;  4,568,726  pounds  of  cotton ; 
10,460  pounds  of  wool ;  3,761  dollars  worth  of  gold. 

It  is  remarkable  for  its  production  of  gold  fifty-two  years  ago. 

The  following  is  an  account  of  the  first  gold  mine  ever  discovered 
in  the  State : — 

We  have  been  kindly  furnished  by  Colonel  Earnhardt  with  the 
following  history  of  the  opening  of  the  Reed  Gold  Mine,  in  Cabar- 
rus County,  and  the  number  and  weight  of  the  pieces  of  gold  found 
at  difierent  periods. 

A  sketch  of  the  discovery  and  history  of  the  Reed  Gold  Mine,  in  Caharrus  County, 
North  Carolina,  being  the  first  gold  mine  discovered  in  the  United  States. 

The  first  piece  of  gold  found  at  this  mine,  was  in  the  year  1799,  by  Conrad 
Reed,  a  boy  of  about  twelve  years  old,  a  son  of  John  Reed,  the  proprietor. 
The  discovery  was  made  in  an  accidental  manner.     The  boy  above  named,     . 
in  company  with  a  sister  and  younger  brother,  went  to  a  small  stream,  called  «• 


64  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Meadow  Creek,  on  a  Sabbath  day,  while  their  parents  were  at  church,  for 
the  purpose  of  shooting  fish  with  bow  and  arrow,  and  while  engaged  along 
the  bank  of  the  creek,  Conrad  saw  a  yellow  substance  shining  in  the  water. 
He  went  in  and  picked  it  up,  and  found  it  to  be  some  kind  of  metal,  and 
carried  it  home.  Mr.  Reed  examined  it,  but  as  gold  was  unknown  in  this 
part  of  the  country  at  that  time,  he  did  not  know  what  kind  of  metal  it  was : 
the  piece  was  about  the  size  of  a  small  smoothing  iron. 

Mr.  Reed  carried  the  piece  of  metal  to  Concord,  and  showed  it  to  a  William 
Atkinson,  a  silversmith,  but  he  not  thinking  of  gold,  was  unable  to  say  what 
kind  of  metal  it  was. 

Mr.  Reed  kept  the  piece  for  several  years  on  his  house  floor,  to  lay  against 
the  door  to  keep  it  from  shutting.  In  the  year  1802,  he  went  to  market  to 
Fayetteville,  and  carried  the  piece  of  metal  with  him,  and  on  showing  it  to 
a  jeweller,  the  jeweller  immediately  told  him  it  was  gold,  and  requested  Mr. 
Reed  to  leave  the  metal  with  him  and  said  he  would  flux  it.  Mr.  Reed  left 
it,  tmd  returned  in  a  short  time,  and  on  his  return  the  jeweller  showed  him 
a  large  bar  of  gold,  six  or  eight  inches  long.  The  jeweller  then  asked  Mr. 
Reed  what  he  would  take  for  the  bar.  Mr.  Reed,  not  knowing  the  value  of 
gold,  thought  ho  would  ask  a  "  big  price,"  and  so  he  asked  three  dollars  and 
fifty  cents  (§3  50!).     The  jeweller  paid  him  his  price. 

After  returning  home,  Mr.  Reed  examined  and  found  gold  in  the  surface 
along  the  creek.  He  then  associated  Frederick  Kisor,  James  Love,  and  Mar- 
tin Phifer  with  himself,  and  in  the  year  1803,  they  found  a  piece  of  gold  in 
the  branch  that  weighed  twenty-eight  pounds.  Numerous  pieces  were  found 
at  this  mine  weighing  from  sixteen  pounds  down  to  the  smallest  particles. 
The  whole  surface  along  the  creek  for  nearly  a  mile  was  very  rich  in  gold. 

The  veins  of  this  mine  were  discovered  in  the  year  1831.  They  yielded  a 
large  quantity  of  gold.     The  veins  are  flint  or  quartz. 

I  do  certifythat  the  foregoing  is  a  true  statement  of  the  discovery  and  history 
of  this  mine,  as  given  by  John  Reed  and  his  son  Conrad  Reed,  now  both  dead. 

January,  1848.  GEORGE  EARNHARDT. 

Weight  of  difierent  pieces  of  gold  found  at  this  mine  : — 


1803, 

28 

lbs. 

1804, 

9. 

(( 

(< 

7 

(( 

<< 

3 

(( 

u 

o 

a 

(( 

1| 

11 

1824, 

16 

Si 

u 

^ 

a 

u 

8 

a 

1835, 

13i 

<( 

a 

^ 

a 

it 

4 

li 

(< 

1 

lb, 

(( 

8 

lbs 

115  lbs.  steelyard  weight. 
The  annual  products  of  tlic  gold  mines  of  the  State,  have  been 
estimated  at  five  hundred  thousand  dollars.*     The  produce  of  Ca- 
barrus mines  in  1840,  by  the  census,  was  estimated  at  thirty-five 
hundred  dollars. 

The  revolutionary  and  colonial  history  of  Cabarrus,  belongs  to 
Mecklenburg,  to  which  it  was  united.     No  part  of  the  State  was 

*  Report  by  John  H.  AVheeler,  Superintendent  of  Branch  Mint,  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  in  1838. 
"  Six  Months  in  America,"  by  Vigne. 


CABARRUS  COUNTY.  65 

more  fixed  and  forward  in  the  cause  of  liberty  than  this  immediate 
section. 

At  the  Convention  of  Charlotte,  in  May,  1775,  this  part  of 
Mecklenburg  joined  heartily  in  that  fearful  stand  of  pledging  "their 
lives,  fortunes,  and  most  sacred  honor"  to  defend,  sustain,  and 
protect  their  liberty  and  independence. 

The  circumstances  of  that  declaration,  the  actors  in  the  con- 
vention, the  boldness  with  which  they  proclaimed  and  vindicated 
their  sentiments,  as  well  as  the  instrument  itself,  have  been  already 
recorded  in  the  former  volume  of  this  work.* 

Without  any  support  from  abroad  ;  without  any  previous  move- 
ment to  guide  their  course,  the  conduct  of  this  people  meets  at 
once  our  warmest  admiration  and  enduring  respect.  It  is  one 
of  the  proudest  pages  of  our  country's  history,  and  one  to  which 
her  sons  point  to  with  joy  and  congratulation.  The  portion  of 
Mecklenburg,  now  Cabarrus,  entered  freely  into  this  important 
and  patriotic  movement. 

But  there  is  a  circumstance  connected  with  the  early  history  of 
Cabarrus,  that  deserves  record.  I  allude  to  the  destruction  of 
the  powder  and  other  munitions  of  war,  in  1771,  by  the  citizens  of 
Cabarrus,  for  which  I  am  indebted  to  Hon.  D.  M.  Barringer,  our 
present  Envoy  to  Spain,  furnished  by  R.  Kirkpatrick,  Esq. 

nistory  of  "The  Gfunxiowder  Plot,"  or  the  Black  Boys  of  Cabarrus. 

In  the  year  1771,  some  difficulties  arose  between  Governor  Tryon  of  North 
Carolina  and  the  Regulators,  and  in  order  to  coerce  them  into  his  mea- 
sures, the  Governor  procured  from  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  three  or 
four  wagon  loads  of  the  munitions  of  war,  consisting  of  gunpowder,  flints, 
blankets,  &c.  They  were  brought  to  Charlotte,  North  Carolina,  and  from 
some  suspicious  movements  amongst  the  friends  of  liberty,  wagons  could 
not  be  procured  to  transport  them  on ;  at  length  Colonel  Moses  Alex- 
ander procured  wagons  to  convey  it  to  Hillsboro',  the  then  seat  of  govern- 
ment. The  vigilance  of  the  jealous  Whigs  was  ever  on  the  alert,  and  in  a 
settlement  lying  now  in  the  County  of  Cabarrus,  known  by  the  name  of  the 
Rocky  River  Settlement,  sixteen  miles  north-east  of  Charlotte,  and  seven  or 
eight  south  of  Concord,  there  existed  as  much  of  the  true  spirit  of  patriot- 
ism as  ever  was  found  in  the  same  bounds,  and  where  not  a  Tory  loas  ever 
horn  or  ever  breathed. 

The  following  individuals,  viz..  Major  James  White,  William  White  and 
John  White  (all  brothers,  born  and  raised  on  the  bank  of  Rocky  River,  one 
mile  from  Rocky  River  church),  Robert  Caruthers,  Robert  Davis,  Benjamin 
Cochran,  James  Ashmore  and  Joshua  Iladley,  bound  themselves  by  a  most 
solemn  oath,  not  to  divulge  the  secret  on  each  other,  and  in  order  to  keep 
themselves  concealed  they  blacked  themselves,  and  set  out  to  destroy,  if  pos- 
sible, the  powder,  &c.,  that  had  been  procured  to  shed  the  blood  of  their 
countrymen.  They  set  out  in  the  evening,  while  the  father  of  the  Whites 
was  absent  to  mill  with  two  horse-loads  of  grain  ;  fortunately  they  met  him 
(the  boys  were  on  foot) ;  they  demanded  of  their  father  the  horses,  and  ordered 
him  to  dismount.  He  pleaded  lustily  for  the  privilege  of  the  horses  until  he 
could  carry  home  his  bags,  but  all  remonstrance  was  vain ;  they  lifted  the 
bags  off  the  horses  and  left  them  on  the  side  of  the  road.  They  came  up  with 
the  wagons  that  hauled  the  powder,  &c.,  encamped  on  what  was  then  called 
Phifer's  Hill,  three  miles  west  from  Concord,  on  the  road  leading  from  Char- 
lotte to  Salisbury,  near  midway  between  these  places,  at  or  near  what  is  now 
Long's  tavern.     They  immediately  unloaded  the  wagons,  stove  in  the  kegs, 

*  Vol.  i.  page  69. 


QQ  HISTORY  or  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

threw  the  powder,  flints,  &c.,  into  a  pile,  tore  the  blankets  into  strips,  placed 
them  on  the  pile,  made  a  train  of  powder  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
pile,  and  Major  White  fired  a  pistol  into  the  train,  which  produced  a  tremen- 
dous explosion.  A  stave  from  the  pile  struck  White  on  the  forehead,  and  cut 
him  considerably.  As  soon  as  it  came  to  the  ears  of  Colonel  Moses 
Alexander,  he  put  his  whole  ingenuity  in  requisition  to  find  out  the  perpe- 
trators of  so  foul  a  deed  against  his  Majesty.  The  transaction  remained  a 
mystery  for  some  time.  Great  threats  were  made,  and  in  order  to  induce  some 
one  to  turn  traitor,  a  pardon  was  oflfered  to  any  one  who  would  turn  king's 
evidence  against  the  rest.  Ashmore  and  Hadley,  being  half-brothers  and 
composed  of  the  same  materials,  set  out  unknown  to  each  other,  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  pardon  offered,  and  accidentally  met  each  other  on  the 
threshold  of  Moses  Alexander's  house.  When  they  made  known  their  busi- 
ness, xilexander  observed,  "  That  by  virtue  of  the  governor's  proclamation 
they  were  pardoned,  but  they  were  the  first  that  ought  to  be  hanged."  The 
rest  of  the  "Black  Boys"  had  to  fly  their  country.  They  fled  to  the  State  of 
Georgia,  where  they  remained  some  time.  The  Governor,  finding  he  could  not 
get  them  into  his  grasp,  held  out  insinuations  that  if  they  would  return  and 
confess  their  fault,  they  should  be  pardoned.  They  returned,  and  as  soon  as 
it  was  known,  Moses  Alexander  raised  a  guard,  consisting  of  himself,  two 
brothers,  John  and  Jake,  and  others,  and  surrounded  the  house  of  old  White, 
the  father  of  the  boys,  Caruthers,  the  son-in-law  of  White,  was  also  at 
White's.  They  placed  a  guard  to  each  door.  One  of  the  guard  wishing  to 
favor  the  escape  of  Caruthers,  struck  a  quarrel  with  Moses  Alexander  at  one 
door,  while  his  brother  Daniel  Alexander  whispered  to  Mrs-  White,  if  there 
was  any  of  them  within  they  might  pass  out  and  he  would  not  see  him  ;  in 
the  mean  time,  out  goes  Caruthers,  and  in  a  few  jumps  was  in  the  river. 
The  alarm  was  immediately  given,  but  pursuit  was  fruitless. 

At  another  time,  the  royalists  heard  of  some  of  the  boys  being  in  a  harvest 
field,  and  set  out  to  take  them  ;  but  always  having  some  one  in  company  that 
favored  their  escape,  as  they  rode  up  in  sight  of  the  field  one  of  the  com- 
pany waved  his  hand,  which  the  boys  took  as  a  signal.  They  pursued 
Ex)bert  Davis  so  close,  that  he  jumped  his  horse  thirty  feet  down  a  bank  into 
the  river,  and  then  dared  them  to  follow  him. 

They  fled  from  covert  to  covert  to  save  their  necks  from  the  bloodthirsty 
loyalists,  who  were  daily  hunting  them  like  wild  beasts.  They  would  He  con- 
cealed weeks  at  a  time,  and  the  neighbors  would  carry  them  food,  until  they 
fairly  wearied  out  their  pursuers.  The  oath  by  which  they  bound  themselves 
was  an  imprecation  of  the  strongest  kind  ;  the  greater  part  of  the  imprecation 
was  literally  fulfilled  in  Hadley  and  Ashmore.  Ashmore  fled  his  country,  but 
he  lived  a  miserable  life,  and  died  as  wretched  as  he  had  lived.  Hadley  still 
remained  in  the  country,  and  was  known  for  many  years  to  the  writer.  He 
was  very  intemperate,  and  in  his  fits  of  intoxication  was  very  harsh  to  his 
family  in  driving  them  from  his  house  in  the  dead  hours  of  the  night.  His 
neighbors,  in  order  to  chastise  him  for  his  abuse  of  his  family  (among  whom 
were  some  of  the  "Black  Boys"),  dressed  themselves  in  female  attire,  went 
to  his  house  by  night,  pulled  him  from  his  bed,  drew  his  shirt  over  his  head 
and  gave  him  a  very  severe  whipping.  He  continued  through  life  the  same 
miserable  wretch,  and  died  without  any  friendly  hand  to  sustain  him,  or 
eye  to  pity  him. 

Thus  we  see  Mecklenburg  and  Cabarrus  (at  that  time  but  one  county)  were 
the  first  that  set  the  ball  in  motion  that  ended  in  the  independence  of  the 
American  people. 

Frequently,  Avhen  the  royalists  ranged  the  country  in  pursuit  of  "  the  Black 
Boys,"  the  ^Vhigs  would  collect  in  bodies  consisting  of  twenty-five  or 
thirty,  ready  to  pounce  upon  them  if  they  had  taken  any  of  them.  From 
the  allurements  held  out  to  them  to  give  themselves  up,  the  boys,  at  one  time, 
went  to  within  a  short  distance  of  Ilillsboro',  to  beg  their  pardon  of  the 
Governor  (Tryon),  but  finding  his  intention,  if  he  could  get  them  into  his 
hands,  to  have  hanged  every  one  of  them,  they  returned  and  kept  themselves 
concealed. 

Thus  we  find  in  a  region  of  country  very  little  known  in  the  history  of  the 


CABARRUS  COUNTY.  67 

revolutionary  struggle,  that  the  spirit  of  liberty  was  cherished  and  mature^ 
the  first  to  manifest  itself  in  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  in  the  County  of 
Mecklenburg,  of  which  they  were  then  a  part.  From  that  very  neighborhood, 
delegates  were  sent  to  Charlotte  on  the  20th  of  May,  1775.  In  the  transac- 
tion of  burning  the  powder,  those  who  were  engaged  (with  the  exception  of 
Hadley  and  Ashmore,  Avho  were  always  cowards)  gave  their  country  a 
sure  pledge  of  their  attachment  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  which  they  faithfully 
redeemed,  whenever  their  services  were  needed.  Major  James  White,  at  the 
time  the  British  lay  in  Charlotte,  was  continually  annoying  them.  It  was 
White  who  led  the  party  on  that  memorable  day  when  Col.  Locke  was  over- 
taken and  cut  to  pieces  ;  and  when  Gen.  Joseph  Graham  was  also  severely 
wounded.  White  rode  a  very  fleet  horse  ;  he  would  ride  near  to  the  British 
forces,  fire  at  them,  and  whenever  they  would  sally  out  after  him,  he  would 
put  his  horse,  which  he  called  Stono,  to  his  speed,  and  outrun  them. 

John  Phifer  appears  among  those  who  assembled  at  Charlotte  in  May,  1775. 
The  head  of  now  a  numerous  and  highly  respectable  family  in  Cabarrus,  he 
was  the  devoted  friend  of  liberty  and  his  country.  lie  was  a  member  fi'om 
Mecklenburg  to  "the  general  meeting  of  delegates  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
province,  at  Hillsboro',  21st  August,  1775,"  with'Thomas  Polk,  Waightstill 
Avery,  James  Houston,  James  Martin,  and  John  McKnitt  Alexander. 

In  1776,  he  was  a  delegate  with  Robert  Irvin,  Zaccheus  Wilson,  Ilezekiah 
Alexander,  and  Waightstill  Avery,  to  the  Convention  at  Halifax,  which  formed 
the  State  Constitution. 

This  place  he  resigned,  and  accepted  the  appointment  of  Lieutenant-Colonel 
of  Volunteers.  He  filled  an  early  grave.  He  was  buried  in  Cabarrus  ;  a  rough 
slab  covers  his  remains,  now  defaced  and  mutilated.*  It  is  a  tradition,  that 
the  British  army,  as  they  passed  from  Charlotte  to  Salisbury,  built  a  fire  on 
the  tombstone,  to  show  their  hatred  for  his  memory. 

His  decendants,  John  Phifer  and  Caleb  Phifer,  as  will  be  seen,  were  often 
representatives  from  Cabarrus,  and  always  sustained  the  reputation  of  honor- 
able and  faithful  citizens. 

John  Phifer  graduated  at  the  University  in  1799,  was  often  a  member  of 
the  General  Assembly,  influential  and  talented.  He  was  for  many  years  a 
ruling  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  died  October  18th,  1845. 

John  Paul  Barringer  was  born  in  Hanover,  in  Germany,  on  the  4th  of 
June,  1721.  He  emigrated  to  this  country,  and  settled  first  in  Pennsylvania. 
He  I'emoved  to  this  State  before  the  Revolution.  During  our  struggles,  he 
sided  with  the  friends  of  liberty.  From  his  devotion  to  the  cause,  he  was 
taken  prisoner,  with  others,  by  the  Tories,  and  carried  to  Camden,  South 
Carolina.  He  was,  for  a  long  time,  kept  in  confinement,  and  was  the  only 
one  who  returned  home.     He  died  in  Cabarrus,  January  1st,  1807. 

His  son.  Gen.  Daniel  L.  Barringer,  now  of  Tennessee,  lived  for  a  long 
time  in  Wake  County,  where  he  married  Miss  White,  grand-daughter  of 
Governor  Caswell.  He  represented  Wake  County  in  1813,  and  from  1819  to 
1822,  in  the  House  of  Commons.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and 
served  from  1826  to  1835.  He  removed  to  Tennessee,  where  he  has  been 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  in  that  State,  where  he  now  resides. 

Another  son.  Gen.  Paul  Barringer,  resided  in  Cabarrus.  He  was  born  in 
September,  1778.  He  had  as  good  an  education  as  the  county  afforded.  He 
was  fond  of  reading,  and  distinguished  for  his  practical  sense.  He  mar- 
ried Elizabeth  Brandon,  daughter  of  Matthew  Brandon,  of  Rowan,  a  soldier 
of  the  Revolution,  whose  family  were  distinguished  for  the  love  of  liberty. 
She  died  in  1848.  He  entered  public  life  in  18U6,  as  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Commons,  and  was  often  afterwards  a  member  of  both  branches  of  the 
Legislature.  He  died  at  an  advanced  age,  at  Lincolnton,  in  June,  1844.  He 
left  a  family  of  nine  children,  of  whom 

*  MSS.  from  R,  Barringer,  Esq.,  of  Concord. 


68  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Daniel  Moreau  Barrin'ger,  now  our  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  at  Madrid,  in  Spain,  was  eldest.  He  was  born  in  July,  1806. 
He  was  educated  at  our  University  ;  graduated  in  182G ;  studied  law  with 
Chief  Justice  Kuffin ;  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1829,  and  served 
for  several  years ;  member  of  the  Convention  in  1835;  elected  to  Congress 
in  1843,  served  continuously  until  1849,  when  he  was  appointed  by  Gen.  Z. 
Taylor,  President  of  the  United  States,  Envoy  to  Spain,  where  he  now  resides. 

Dr.  Charles  Harris,  of  this  county,  was  distinguished  as  a  patriot,  a 
soldier,  and  physician. 

He  was  born  in  this  county,  when  Mecklenburg,  in  1763.  While  pursuing 
his  studies  at  Charlotte,  the  invasion  of  the  British  caused  him  to  exchange 
the  gown  for  the  sword.  He  joined  the  corps  of  cavalry  under  Colonel 
Davie,  and  was  with  that  active  officer  in  his  brave  and  daring  career. 
After  the  war  was  over  he  resumed  his  studies  at  Clio  Academy,  in  Ire- 
dell. He  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  Isaac  Alexander,  at 
Camden,  S.  C,  and  finished  at  Philadelphia.  On  his  return  he  settled  at 
Salisbury,  and  practiced  with  success  ;  he  then  removed  to  Favoni,  his  seat 
in  Cabarrus,  where  he  ended  his  days. 

Devoted  to  his  professioti,  he  was  unrivaled  as  a  physician  and  surgeon. 
Ilis  reputation  was  widely  extended,  and  his  skill  and  success  justified  this 
celebrity.  He  had  a  medical  school,  and  instructed  ninety-three  young  men 
in  the  healing  art.  His  temper  was  cheerful  and  his  manner  mild.  He 
died  Sept.  21, 1825.  He  left  several  children.  William  Shakspeare  Harris, 
Esq.,  one  of  them,  in  1836  represented  Cabarrus  in  the  House  of  Commons. 
I  copy  from  his  tombstone  the  following:  "  This  monument  is  erected  to  per- 
petuate the  memory  of  Charles  Harris,  M.  D.,  born  23d  November,  1762  ;  died 
21st  September,  1825,  aged  63  years.  Dr.  Harris  was  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  medicine  and  surgery  forty  years  ;  eminent  in  the  former,  in  the  latter  pre- 
eminent. He  was  a  man  of  extensive  reading,  of  an  acute  inquisitive  mind, 
friendly  to  all  and  beloved  by  all.  His  heart  entered  deeply  into  the  suffer- 
ings of  his  patients,  mingling  the  medicine  he  administered  with  the  feel- 
ings of  a  friend.  He  lived  usefully,  and  died  resignedly,  and  we  humbly 
trust,  through  the  sovereign  virtue  of  the  all-healing  medicine  of  the  Great 
Physician,  he  was  prepared  to  rest  in  this  tomb,  '  where  the  wicked  cease 
from  troubling  and  the  weary  are  at  rest.' " 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina,  from  Ca- 
barrus County,  from  its  erection  to  the  last  session  (1851) : — 

Years.               Senate.  Members  of  House  of  Commons. 

1793.  Caleb  Phifer,  Robert  Smith,  .James  Bradshaw. 

1704.  Caleb  Phifer,  llobert  Smith,  James  Bradshaw. 

1795.  Caleb  Phifer,  Kobert  Siiiith,  James  Bradshaw. 

1796.  Caleb  Phifer,  Jas.  Bradshaw,  Archibald  McKurdy. 

1797.  Caleb  Phifor,  Jas.  Bradshaw,  Archibald  McKurdy. 

1800.  Caleb  Phifer,  Jas.  Bradshaw,  John  Allison. 

1801.  Caleb  Phifer,  llobert  Smith,  James  Bradshaw. 

1802.  James  Bradshaw,  Jolin  Allison,  A.  3IcKurdy. 

1803.  Wm.  L.  Alexander,  John  Allison,  John  Phifer. 

1804.  Wm.  L.  Alexander,  .John  Allison,  .John  Pliifer. 

1805.  Wm.  L.  Alexander,  John  Allison,  John  Phifer. 

1806.  George  Harris,  Paul  Barringer,  A.  Houston. 

1807.  George  Harris,  Paul  Barringer,  A.  Houston. 

1808.  George  Harris,  Paul  Barringer,  A.  Houston. 

1809.  llobert  W.  Smith,  Paul  Barringer,  A.  Houston. 

1810.  llobert  W.  Smith,  Paul  Barringer,  John  Phifer. 

1811.  llobert  W.  Smith,  Paul  Barriuger,  John  Phifer. 

1812.  Kobert  W.  Smith,  Paul  Barriuger,  John  Phifer. 

1813.  llobert  W.  Smith,  Paul  Barringer,  John  Phifer. 

1814.  llobert  W.  Smith,  Paul  Barringer,  John  Phifer. 

1815.  llobert  W.  Smith,  Paul  Barringer,  John  Phifer. 

1816.  Abraham  C.  McKee,  Samuel  Morrison,  John  F.  Phifer. 


CALDWELL  COUNTY. 


69 


Years.  Senators. 

1817.  Abraham  C.  McKee, 

1818.  John  N.  Phifer, 

1819.  William  II.  Pharr, 

1821.  William  R.  Pharr, 

1822.  Paul  Barringer, 

1823.  John  Phifer, 

1824.  L.  H.  Alexander, 

1825.  L.  II.  Alexander, 

1826.  L.  H.  Alexander, 

1827.  L.  H.  Alexander, 

1828.  L.  H.  Alexander, 

1829.  Ch.  Melchor, 

1830.  Ch.  Melchor, 

1831.  Ch.  Melchor, 

1832.  A.  Houston, 

1833.  George  Klutts, 

1834.  George  Klutts, 

1835.  David  Long, 

1836.  Christopher  Melchor, 
1838.  Christopher  Melchor, 
1840.  Christopher  Melchor, 
1842.  W.  F.  Pharr, 

1844.  W.  F.  Pharr, 

1846.  Christopher  Melchor, 

1848.  R.  Kendall, 

1850.  Rufus  Barringer, 


Members  of  House  of  Commons. 
John  F.  Phifer,  George  Klutts. 
John  F.  Phifer,  William  McLean. 
William  McLean,  C.  Melchor. 
William  McLean,  C.  Melchor. 
William  McLean,  C.  Melchor. 
William  McLean,  C.  Melchor. 
Robert  Pickens,  C.  Melchor. 
J.  C.  Barnhart,  Robert  Pickens. 
J.  C.  Barnhart,  Robert  Pickens. 
Wm.  McLean,  J.  C.  Barnhart. 
William  McLean,  J.  C.  Barnhart. 
Daniel  M.  Barringer,  Wm.  McLean. 
.Daniel  M.  Barringer,  J.  C.  Barnhart. 
Daniel  M.  Barringer,  Wm.  McLean. 
Daniel  M.  Barringer,  George  Ury. 
Daniel  M.  Barringer,  William  McLean. 
Daniel  M.  Barringer,  Jacob  Williams. 
Levi  Hope,  George  Barnhart. 
William  S.  Harris. 
Daniel  Boger. 
Daniel  M.  Barringer. 
Daniel  M.  Barringer. 
Caleb  Phifer,  H.  Robinson. 
Jos.  W.  Scott,  L.  B.  Krimminger. 
Rufus  Barringer,  J.  W.  Scott. 
Jos.  W.  Scott,  John  Shinpock. 


CHAPTER    XII, 


CALDWELL  COUNTY 


Is  of  recent  origin,  being  formed  as  lately  as  1841,  out  of  the 
counties  of  Burke  and  Wilkes.  Derives  its  name  from  Dr.  Joseph 
Caldwell,  President  of  the  University,  for  sketch  of  whose  life, 
character,  and  services  see  vol.  i.  133. 

It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  north-western  portion  of  the  State, 
and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Watauga  and  Ashe,  east  by  Wilkes 
and  Alexander,  south  by  Catawba  and  Burke,  and  west  by  Burke 
and  Watauga. 

Its  capital  is  Lenoir,  named  in  compliment  of  Gen.  Lenoir,  for 
whose  life  and  services  see  Wilkes,  Chapter  LXXX. 

The  population  of  Caldwell  is  5,000  whites ;  108  free  negroes  ;  1,203  slaves ; 
5,835  fed.  population. 

Its  products,  it  being  formed  since  the  census  returns  of  1840,  and  the 
census  of  1850  not  being  published,  are  not  given. 

Its  history  belongs  to  that  of  Burke  and  Wilkes,  from  which  it 

was  taken. 

It  is  distinguished  for  its  fair  air,  healthful  climate,  and  excellent 
water.     Its  advantages  of  education,  by  aid  of  good  academies, 


70  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

and  schools,  are  considerable.     The  school  of  the  Rev.  T.  S.  W. 

Mott,  near  Lenoir,  stands  deservedly  high. 

In  this  county  resides  Gen.  Samuel  F.  Patterson,  who  was  Treasurer  of 
the  State,  in  1835 ;  President  of  the  Raleigh  and  Gaston  Railroad,  in  1839, 
and  Senator  in  the  General  Assembly,  in  1848  and  1850. 

With  Burke  and  Wilkes  it  forms  the  48th  Senatorial  District.  Its 
members  in  the  General  Assembly  as  follows : — 

Commons. 

William  Dickson. 
William  Dickson. 
E.  P.  Miller. 
E.  P.  Miller. 
John  Hayes. 


Years. 

Senate. 

1842. 

A.  Burgin, 

1844. 

B.  S.  Gaither, 

1846. 

S.  F.  Patterson, 

1848. 

S.  F.  Patterson, 

1850. 

Todd  R.  Caldwell, 

CHAPTER    XIII. 


CAMDEN  COUNTY. 


Date  of  erection — Origin  of  name — Situation  and  boundaries — Population 
and  products — Early  History — Members  of  Assembly. 

Camden  County  was  formed  in  1777,  from  Pasquotank  County, 
and  derives  its  name  from  the  Earl  of  Camden,  who  was  a  distin- 
guished English  Statesman,  Judge,  and  friend  of  popidar  rights.  In 
Parliament  he  strongly  opposed  the  taxation  of  America,  and  from 
his  liberal  principles  was  removed  from  his  elevated  position  as  Lord 
High  Chancellor  of  England,  1770,  by  Lord  North's  ministry. 

The  name  of  this  county  in  the  original  act,  is  spelt  Cambden. 

It  is  situated  in  the  north-eastern  portion  of  the  State,  and 
bounded  on  the  north,  by  the  Virginia  line ;  south  by  Albemarle 
Sound ;  east  by  Currituck  County ;  and  west  by  Pasquotank  River, 
which  separates  it  from  Pasquotank  County. 

The  celebrated  Dismal  Swamp,  whose  lake  (Drummond)  preserves 
to  posterity  the  name  of  the  first  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  has 
been  enshrined  in  the  poetic  numbers  of  Thomas  Moore : 

"Where  all  night  long,  by  a  fire-fly  lamp, 
She  paddles  her  white  canoe."* 

Its  canal  connecting  the  waters  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina, 
is  22  miles  long,  40  to  60  feet  Avide,  and  admits  vessels  of  70  or  80 
tons  burthen,  drawing  7  feet  water.  Its  cost  of  construction  was 
$500,000 ;  it  yields  a  revenue  of  about  $87,000  in  tolls ;  the  locks, 
ten  in  number,  are  composed  of  beautiful  hewn  stone. 


*  Moore's  Works,  iii.  91. 


CAMDEN  COUNTY. 


71 


Population,  3,572  whites;  290  free  negroes;  2,187  slaves;  5,174  federal 
population. 

Its  products,  according  to  census  of  1840,  2,739  bushels  of  wheat;  9.480 
bushels  of  oats ;  285,574  bushels  corn;  6,792  lbs.  cotton;  253  barrels  fish; 
$14,807  lumber  ;  2,664  gallons  of  brandy. 

The  soil  of  Camden  is  remarkable  for  its  fertility.^ 

It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  the  cause  of  education  is  so  neglected 
in  Camden.  The  census  of  1840  proves,  that  in  a  population  of 
5,663,  there  are  691  persons  over  20  years  of  age,  who  cannot  read 
or  write.  The  census  of  1850  shows,  that  in  a  white  population  of 
3,572,  there  are  773  over  20,  who  cannot  read  or  write. 

The  revolutionary  history  of  Camden  is  connected  with  that  of  Pasquotank. 
The  officers  in  1776,  for  the  second  regiment  of  Pasquotank,  since  Camden, 
were,  Isaac  Gregory,  Colonel;  Deupst  Bcrges-s,  Lt.  Colonel;  Josuua  Camp- 
bell, First  Major;  Peter  Daugh,  Second  Major. 

Colonel,  afterwards  Gex.  Gregory,  was  in  the  hard  fought  battle  of  Eutaw, 
in  South  Carolina,  and  was  a  brave  ofiBcer,  and  honorable  man ;  was  much 
respected,  and  often  represented  Camden  in  the  Legislature. 

Colonel  Burgess  was  often  in  the  Legislature,  and  in  1795  represented 
this  District  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States. 

Lemuel  Sawyer  was  born  in  Camden,  in  1777 ;  educated  at  Flat  Bush, 
New  York,  under  care  of  Dr.  Peter  Wilson.  He  studied  law,  and  was  licensed 
to  practice.  In  1800,  he  represented  Camden  in  the  House  of  Commons,  and 
again  in  1801 ;  in  1804  Elector,  and  voted  in  the  Electoral  College  for  Thomas 
Jefferson. 

In  1807  elected  to  Congress,  from  this  district,  which  he  continued  to  repre- 
sent with  some  intervals  until  1829,  an  unusually  long  period  of  service. 

Mr.  Sawyer  is  now  in  one  of  the  public  offices  at  AVashington. 

Mr.  Sawyer  was  succeeded  in  Congress  by  Hon.  Wm.  13.  Shepard,  for  a 
sketch  of  whom  see  Pasquotank,  Chapter  LIX. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Camden,  from  the  adop- 
tion of  the  Constitution  to  the  last  session : — 


Years.  Senate. 

1778.  Isaac  Gregory, 

1779.  Isaac  Gregory, 

1780.  Isaac  Gregory, 
1782.  Isaac  Gregory, 

1786.  Isaac  Gregory, 

1787.  Isaac  Gregory, 

1788.  Isaac  Gregory, 

1789.  Isaac  Gregory, 

1790.  Peter  Dauge, 

1791.  Peter  Dauge, 

1792.  Peter  Dauge, 

1793.  Peter  Dauge, 

1795.  Isaac  Gregory, 

1796.  Isaac  Gregory, 

1797.  Joseph  Forksey, 

1800.  Joseph  Forksey, 

1801.  Joseph  Forksey, 

1802.  Thomas  Burgess, 

1803.  Nathan  Snowden, 

1804.  Arthur  Old, 

1805.  Arthur  Old, 

1806.  Arthur  Old, 

1807.  Arthur  Old, 

1808.  Nathan  Snowden, 

1809.  Caleb  Perkins, 

14 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
John  Gray,  Caleb  Grandy. 
AVillis  Butt,  Caleb  Grandy. 
William  Burgess,  D.  Sawyer. 
Dempsey  Sawyer,  Benjamin  Jones. 
Lemuel  Sawyer,  Peter  Dauge. 
Enoch  Sawyer,  Peter  Dauge. 
Enoch  Sawyer,  Peter  Dauge, 
Enoch  Sawyer,  Peter  Dauge. 
Charles  Grandy,  AVilliam  Burgess, 
Charles  Grandy,  William  Burgess. 
Charles  Grandy,  William  Burgess. 
William  Neavill,  Nathan  Snowden, 
Nathan  Snowden,  Caleb  Grandy. 
Enoch  Daily,  Josiah  Morgan. 
Enoch  Daily,  Z.  Burgess. 
Thomas  Mercer,  Lemuel  Sawyer. 
Thomas  Mercer,  Lemuel  Sawyer. 
Thomas  Mercer,  Caleb  Perkins. 
Joseph  Morgan,  Caleb  Perkins. 
Joseph  Morgan,  David  Dunkin. 
Joseph  Morgan,  Caleb  Perkins. 
Joseph  Morgan,  Caleb  Perkins. 
Caleb  Perkins,  Thomas  Bell. 
Caleb  Perkins,  Thomas  Bell. 
Thomas  Bell,  Dempsey  Sawyer. 


72 


HISTOPwY  OF  NOKTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

1810.  Gideon  Lamb, 

1811.  Caleb  Perkins, 

1812.  Joseph  Dozier, 

1813.  Thomas  Bell, 

1814.  Thomas  Bell, 

1815.  Caleb  Perkins, 

1816.  Caleb  Perkins, 

1817.  Caleb  Perkins, 

1818.  John  Kelly, 

1819.  Caleb  Perkins, 

1821.  Luke  J.  Lamb, 

1822.  Mason  Culpepper, 

1823.  Caleb  Perkins, 

1824.  Caleb  Perkins, 

1825.  Willis  Wilson, 

1826.  Willis  Wilson, 

1827.  Willis  Wilson, 

1828.  Haywood  S.  Bell, 

1829.  Haywood  S.  Bell, 

1830.  Caleb  Perkins, 

1831.  Haywood  S.  Bell, 

1832.  Haywood  S.  Bell, 

1833.  Enoch  Nash, 

1834.  Edm'd  I.  Barco, 

1835.  Thomas  Tillet, 

1836.  Daniel  Lindsay, 
1838.  Caleb  Etheridge, 
1840.  Caleb  Etheridge, 
1842.  Caleb  Etheridge, 
1844.  Caleb  Etheridge, 
1846.  John  Barnard, 
1848.  John  Barnard, 
1850.  John  Barnard, 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
Tliomas  Bell,  Dempsey  Sawyer. 
Dempsey  Sawyer,  William  Mercer. 
Dempsey  Sawyer,  John  Kelly. 
Dempsey  Sawyer,  Thomas  Etheridge. 
John  Kellar,  Baily  Parker. 
Baily  Barco,  John  H.  Brocket. 
Willis  Wilson,  Ezekiel  Trotman. 
Baily  Barco,  Willis  Wilson. 
William  Hearing,  William  Mercer. 
AVilliam  Mercer,  John  Jones. 
William  B.  Webster,  Samuel  Mercer. 
William  B.  Webster,  John  Jones. 
William  B.  Webster,  Thomas  Tillet. 
William  B.  Webster,  Thomas  Tillet. 
Thomas  Tillet,  Thomas  Dozier. 
Thomas  Dozier,  Simeon  Jones. 
Thomas  Tillet,  Thomas  Dozier. 
Thomas  Dozier,  William  B.  Webster. 
Thomas  Dozier,  A.  H.  Grandy. 

A.  H.  Grandy,  Thomas  Dozier. 
.  A.  H.  Grandy,  Thomas  Dozier. 

B.  D.  Harrison,  Thomas  Tillet. 
Thomas  Tillet,  Caleb  Barco. 
Thomas  Tillet,  Jas.  N.  McPherson. 
Jas.  N.  McPherson,  J. 
D.  Pritchard. 
J.  S.  Burgess. 
A.  H.  Grandy. 
Cornelius  G.  Lamb. 
Cornelius  G.  Lamb. 
D.  D.  Ferebee. 
D.  D.  Ferebee. 
Caleb  Barco. 


S.  Burgess. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


CARTERET  COUNTY. 


Origin  of  name — Date  of  formation — Situation  and  boundaries — Beaufort,  its 
capital — Population  and  products — Climate — Early  history — Teaches  Hole. 

Carteret  was  one  of  the  original  precincts  of  the  Lords  Proprie- 
tors, and  was  called  in  honor  of  one  of  them,  who  is  stjled  in  the 
charter  of  Charles  II.  as  "  oui'  right  truly  and  "well  beloved  counsel- 
lor, Sir  George  Carteret,  Knight  and  Baronet,  Vice-Chancellor  of 
our  Household."  He  is  described  by  a  cotemporary  writer,  as 
"  the  passionate  and  ignorant,  and  not  too  honest  Sir  George 
Carteret."* 

He  died  in  1695,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  John,t  afterwards 


*  Pepys,  i  3G6. 


t  See  Martin,  Vol.  i.  p.  190.    Vol.  i.  (these  sketches)  p.  41. 


CARTERET  COUNTY.  73 

Earl  of  Granville,  wlio  retained  his  portion  of  tlie  sovereignty  of 
North  Carolina,  when  the  other  proprietors,  in  1729,  surrendered 
to  the  Crown. 

Its  situation  is  in  the  extreme  eastern  portion  of  the  State,  and 
is  bounded  on  the  north,  by  the  Pamplico  Sound,  and  County  of 
Craven ;  south  and  east  by  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  west  by  the  Coun- 
ties of  Jones  and  Onslow. 

Its  capital  is  Beaufort,  which  possesses  a  fine  harbor,  great  depth 
of  water,  and  is  destined  to  become  the  marine  depot  of  North  Caro- 
lina. Its  distance  from  Raleigh  is  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight 
miles. 

To  this  county  belongs  the  honor  of  having  been  seen  by  the  first 
adventurers  to  these  United  States.  Two  ships,  one  called  the 
Tyger,  the  other  the  Admiral,  commanded  by  Philip  Amidas,  and 
Arthur  Barlow,  were  fitted  out  under  the  charge  and  expense  of  Sir 
Walter  Raleigh,  under  a  patent  from  Queen  Elizabeth.  These  sailed 
from  England  on  April  27th,  1584,  and  arrived  on  this  coast  on 
the  4th  day  of  July,  1584. 

"  After  sailing  along  the  coast  one  hundred  and  twenty  English  miles," 
says  Amidas,*  in  his  report,  "  before  we  could  find  any  entrance  or  river 
issuing  into  the  sea.  The  first  that  appeared  unto  us  we  entered  and  cast 
anker.  After  thanks  given  to  God  for  our  safe  arrivall  thither,  we  went  to 
view  the  land  adioyning  and  to  take  possession  of  the  same  in  the  right  of 
the  Queene's  most  excellent  Maiestie,  and  rightful  Queeue  and  Princesse  of 
the  same,  and  after  delivered  the  same  over  to  ouer  vse,  according  to  her 
Majesties  grant  and  letters  patent  vnder  her  Higheness'  great  scale." 

The  patent,  as  well  as  the  report  of  these  officers  to  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh,  is  recorded  in  Hakluyt's  Voyages,  (vol.  iii.  p.  301.)  This 
land  was  Roanoake  Island,  in  Currituck  County.  For  extracts  from 
said  report,  see  Currituck  County. 

"  They  were  the  first  that  ever  burst 
Into  that  silent  sea."t 

In  Oct.,  1749,  a  furious  storm  destroyed  Beacon  Island,  near 
Ocracoke  Inlet.| 

The  United  States  have  a  fort  at  Beaufort,  called  Fort  Macon, 
and  a  light-house  on  Cape  Look-out. 

Population,  3,572  whites ;  290  free  negroes  ;  2,187  slaves ;  and  5,174  federal 
population. 

Products,  2,133  bushels  of  wheat ;  32,674  bushels  of  corn  ;  4,283  pounds  of 
cotton;  3,755  pounds  of  wool;  $41,200  value  of  vessels  owned;  and  15,347 
barrels  of  turpentine. 

The  chief  inlet  of  our  State  is  on  the  northern  point  of  this  county, 
Ocracoke  Inlet,  through  which  all  vessels  navigating  the  Albemarle 
Country  must  pass.  It  is  obstructed  by  a  bar  of  sand,  over  which 
vessels  drawing  more  than  twelve  feet  water  must  be  lightened. 
This  is  a  great  drawback  to  the  commerce  of  North  Carolina. 

*  Bancroft's  History  of  the  United  States,  vol.  i.  p.  92. 
-  -f  Coleridge.  +  Williamson,  vol.  ii.  p.  64. 


74  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Near  it  is  TeacJis  Hole*  which  preserves  the  name  of  a  noted 
pirate,  in  the  days  of  Governor  Eden,  whose  career  and  fate  are 
already  recorded,  and  with  whose  name  tradition  still  associates 
heaps  of  bm'ied  treasm*es. 

In  the  Assembly  of  freemen  that  first  assembled  in  North  Carolina,  without 
the  consent  and  independent  of  the  English  Crown,  which  met  at  Newbern, 
August  25th,  1774,  Wm.  Thompson  appeared  for  Carteret. 

In  the  Assembly  at  Newbern,  in  April,  1775,  William  Thompson  and  Solo- 
mon Sheppard. 

In  the  Assembly  at  Hillsboro',  in  August,  1775,  John  Eason,  Wm.  Thomp- 
son, Brice  Williams,  Solomon  Sheppard  and  Enoch  Ward. 

In  the  Assembly  at  Halifax,  on  Nov.  12th,  1776,  which  formed  our  consti- 
tution, appeared  for  Carteret,  Solomon  Sheppard,  Brice  Williams,  Wm. 
Borden,  John  Easton  and  Thomas  Chadwick. 

In  the  organization  of  the  Continental  troops  by  the  State  Congress,  in 
August,  1775,  for  Carteret  County,  William  Thompson  was  Colonel;  Solo- 
mon Shepard,  Lieutenant-Colonel;  Thomas  Chadwick,  Major  ;  and  Malachi 
Bell,  Second  Major. 

In  1809,  the  seat  of  Jacob  Henry,  one  of  the  members  from  this  county, 
was  vacated  on  the  ground  that  "  he  denied  the  divine  authority  of  the  New 
Testament." 

This  was  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  State  that  this  question  had 
been  made,  which  underwent  in  the  Convention  which  reformed  the  Consti- 
tution in  1835,  so  able  and  searching  investigation.  Mr.  Henry,  in  an  able 
speech,  said  to  be  the  production  of  Chief  Jus^tice  Taylor,  defended  his  rights, 
and  he  was  aided  by  the  luminous  efforts  of  Judge  Gaston. 

Speech  of  Mr.  Jacob  Henry. 

"  I  certainly,  Mr.  Speaker,  know  not  the  design  of  the  Declaration  of  Rights 
made  by  the  people  of  this  State  in  the  year  1776,  if  it  was  not  to  conse- 
crate certain  great  and  fundamental  rights  and  principles  which  even  the 
Constitution  cannot  impair ;  for  the  44th  section  of  the  latter  instrument 
declares  that  the  Declaration  of  Rights  ought  never  to  be  violated,  on  any 
pretence  whatever ;  if  there  is  any  apparent  difi'erence  between  the  two  in- 
struments, they  ought,  if  possible,  to  be  reconciled ;  but  if  there  is  a  final 
repugnance  between  them,  the  Declaration  of  Rights  must  be  considered 
paramount ;  for  I  believe  it  is  to  the  Constitution,  as  the  Constitution  is  to 
law ;  it  controls  and  directs  it  absolutely  and  conclusively.  If,  then,  a  belief 
in  the  Protestant  religion  is  required  by  the  Constitution,  to  qualify  a  man 
for  a  seat  in  this  house,  and  such  qualification  is  dispensed  with  by  the  De- 
claration of  Rights,  the  provision  of  the  Constitution  must  be  altogether  in- 
operative;  as  the  language  of  the  Bill  of  Rights  is,  "that  all  men  have  a 
natural  and  inalienable  right  to  worship  Almightv  God  according  to  the  dic- 
tates of  their  own  consciences."  It  is  undoubtedly  a  natural  right,  and  when 
it  is  declared  to  be  an  inalienable  one  by  the  people  in  their  sovereign  and 
original  capacity,  any  attempt  to  alienate  either  by  the  Constitution  or  by 
law,  must  be  vain  and  fruitless. 

"  It  is  difiicult  to  conceive  how  such  a  provision  crept  into  the  Constitution, 
unless  it  is  from  the  difficulty  the  human  mind  feels  in  suddenly  emancipating 
itself  from  fetters  by  which  it  has  long  been  enchained:  and  how  adverse  it 
is  to  the  feelings  and  manners  of  the  people  of  the  present  day  every  gentle- 
man may  satisfy  himself  by  glancing  at  the  religious  belief  of  the  persona 
who  fill  the  various  offices  in  this  State :  there  are  Presbyterians,  Lutherans, 
Calvinists,  Mennonists,  Baptists,  Trinitarians,  and  Unitarians.  But,  as  far 
as  my  observation  extends,  there  are  fewer  Protestants,  in  the  strict  sense  of 
the  word,  used  by  the  Constitution,  than  of  any  other  persuasion ;  for  I  sup- 

*Vol.  i.  p.31. 


CARTERET  COUNTY.  75 

pose  that  they  meant  by  it,  the  Protestant  religion  as  established  by  the  law 
in  England.  For  other  persuasions  we  see  houses  of  worship  in  almost  every 
part  of  the  State,  but  very  few  of  the  Protestant;  so  few,  that  indeed  I  fear 
that  the  people  of  this  State  would  for  some  time  remain  unrepresented  in 
this  House,  if  that  clause  of  the  Constitution  is  supposed  to  be  in  force.  So 
far  from  believing  in  the  Thirty-nine  Ai-ticles,  I  will  venture  to  assert  that  a 
majority  of  the  people  never  have  read  them. 

"  If  a  man  should  hold  religious  principles  incompatible  with  the  freedom 
and  safety  of  the  State,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  pronounce  that  he  should  be  ex- 
cluded from  the  public  councils  of  the  same ;  aad  I  trust  if  I  know  myself, 
no  one  would  be  more  ready  to  aid  and  assist  than  myself.  But  I  should 
really  be  at  a  loss  to  specify  any  known  religious  principles  which  are  thus 
dangerous.  It  is  surely  a  question  between  a  man  and  his  Maker,  and  re- 
quires more  than  human  attributes  to  pronounce  which  of  the  numerous 
sects  prevailing  in  the  world  is  most  acceptable  to  the  Deity.  If  a  man  ful- 
fils the  duties  of  that  religion,  which  his  education  or  his  conscience  has 
pointed  to  him  as  the  true  one,  no  person,  I  hold,  in  this  our  land  of  liberty, 
has  a  right  to  arraign  him  at  the  bar  of  any  inquisition  :  and  the  day,  I  trust, 
has  long  passed,  when  principles  merely  speculative  were  propagated  by  force ; 
when  the  sincere  and  pious  were  made  victims,  and  the  light-minded  bribed 
into  hypocrites. 

"The  purest  homage  man  could  render  to  the  Almighty  was  in  the  sacrifice 
of  his  passions  and  the  performance  of  his  duties.  That  the  ruler  of  the  uni- 
verse would  receive  with  equal  benignity  the  various  ofi"erings  of  man's  ado- 
ration, if  they  proceeded  fi'om  the  heart.  Governments  only  concern  the 
actions  and  conduct  of  man,  and  not  his  speculative  notions.  Who  among 
us  feels  himself  so  exalted  above  his  fellows  as  to  have  a  right  to  dictate  to 
them  any  mode  of  belief?  Shall  this  free  country  set  an  example  of  perse- 
cution, which  even  the  returning  reason  of  enslaved  Europe  would  not  sub- 
mit to  ?  Will  you  bind  the  conscience  in  chains,  and  fasten  conviction  upon 
the  mind  in  spite  of  the  conclusions  of  reason  and  of  those  ties  and  habitudes 
which  are  blended  with  every  pulsation  of  the  heart  ?  Are  you  prepared  to 
plunge  at  once  from  the  sublime  heights  of  moral  legislation  into  the  dark 
and  gloomy  caverns  of  superstitious  ignorance?  Will  you  drive  from  your 
shores  and  from  the  shelter  of  j'our  constitution,  all  who  do  not  lay  their 
oblations  on  the  same  altar,  observe  the  same  ritual,  and  subscribe  to  the 
same  dogmas?  If  so,  which,  among  the  various  sects  into  which  we  are 
divided,  shall  be  the  fixvored  one  ? 

"I  should  insult  the  understanding  of  this  House  to  suppose  it  possible 
that  they  could  ever  assent  to  such  absurdities ;  for  all  know  that  persecution 
in  all  its  shapes  and  modifications,  is  contrary  to  the  genius  of  our  govern- 
ment and  the  spirit  of  our  laws,  and  that  it  can  never  produce  any  other 
eifect  than  to  render  men  hypocrites  or  martyrs. 

"When  Charles  V.,  Emperor  of  Germany,  tired  of  the  cares  of  government, 
resigned  his  crown  to  his  son,  he  retired  to  a  monastery,  where  he  amused 
the  evening  of  his  life  in  regulating  the  movements  of  watches,  endeavoring 
to  make  a  number  keep  the  same  time ;  but,  not  being  able  to  make  any  two 
go  exactly  alike,  it  led  him  to  reflect  upon  the  folly  and  crimes  he  had  com- 
mitted, in  attempting  the  impossibility  of  making  men  think  alike!! 

"Nothing  is  more  easily  demonstrated  than  that  the  conduct  alone  is  the 
subject  of  human  laws,  and  that  man  ought  to  suffer  civil  disqualification  for 
what  he  does,  and  not  for  what  he  thinks.  The  mind  can  receive  laws  only 
from  Him,  of  whose  Divine  essence  it  is  a  portion;  He  alone  can  punish  dis- 
obedience; for  who  else  can  know  its  movements,  or  estimate  their  merits? 
The  religion  I  profess,  inculcates  every  duty  which  man  owes  to  his  fellow 
men;  it  enjoins  upon  its  votaries  the  practice  of  every  virtue,  and  the  detest- 
ation of  every  vice  -,  it  teaches  them  to  hope  for  the  favor  of  heaven  exactly 
in  propoi-tion  as  their  lives  have  been  directed  by  just,  honorable,  and  bene- 
ficent maxims.  This,  then,  gentlemen,  is  my  creed;  it  was  impressed  upon 
my  infimt  mind ;  it  has  been  the  director  of  my  youth,  the  monitor  of  my 
manhood,  and  will,  I  trust,  be  the  consolation  of  my  old  age.     At  any  rate, 


76 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Mr.  Speaker,  I  am  sure  that  you  cannot  see  anything  in  this  Religion,  to  de- 
prive me  of  my  seat  in  this  house.  So  far  as  relates  to  my  life  and  conduct, 
the  examination  of  these  I  submit  with  cheerfulness  to  your  candid  and 
liberal  construction.  What  may  be  the  religion  of'him  who  made  this  ob- 
jection against  me,  or  whether  he  has  any  religion  or  not  I  am  unable  to  say. 
I  have  never  considered  it  my  duty  to  pry  into  the  belief  of  other  members 
of  this  house.  If  their  actions  are  upright  and  conduct  just,  the  rest  is  for 
their  own  consideration,  not  for  mine.  I  do  not  seek  to  make  converts  to  my 
faith,  whatever  it  may  be  esteemed  in  the  eyes  of  my  officious  friend,  nor  do 
I  exclude  any  one  from  my  esteem  or  friendship,  because  he  and  I  differ  in 
that  respect.  The  same  charity,  therefore,  it  is  not  unreasonable  to  expect, 
will  be  extended  to  myself,  because  in  all  things  that  relate  to  the  State  and 
to  the  duties  of  civil  life,  I  am  bound  by  the  same  obligations  with  my  fellow- 
citizens,  nor  does  any  man  subscribe  more  sincerely  than  myself  to  the 
maxim,  "  whatever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  unto  you  do  ye  so  even  unto 
them,  for  such  is  the  law  and  the  prophets." 

The  members  of  the  Legislature  from  Carteret  are  as  follows : — 


Vears.  Senators. 

1778.  John  Easton, 

1783.  John  Easton, 

1785.  John  Easton, 

1786.  John  Easton, 

1787.  John  Easton, 

1788.  Joseph  Hill, 

1791.  Malachi  Bell, 

1792.  David  Ward, 

1793.  D.  Ward, 
1791.  D.  AYard, 

1795.  D.  Ward, 

1796.  JohnFulford, 

1797.  John  Fulford, 

1800.  Xewell  Bell, 

1801.  Asa  Bishop, 

1802.  William  Fisher, 

1803.  W.  Fisher, 

1804.  Asa  Bishop, 

1805.  Nathaniel  Pinkham, 

1806.  N.  Pinkham, 

1807.  X.  Pinkham, 

1808.  Elijah  Piggot, 

1809.  Belcher  Fuller, 

1810.  B.  Fuller, 

1811.  B.  Fuller, 

1812.  B.  Fuller, 

1813.  B.  Fuller, 

1814.  A.  Wilson, 

1815.  Lebbeus  Hunter, 

1816.  John  Robards, 

1817.  George  H.  Dudley, 

1818.  Whittington  Davis, 

1819.  Andrew  Wilson,  Jr., 

1821.  AVhittington  Davis, 

1822.  W.  Davis, 

1823.  W.  Davis, 

1824.  W.  Davis, 

1825.  W.  Davis, 

1826.  W.  Davis, 

1827.  Nathan  Fuller, 

1828.  Otway  Burns, 

1829.  Otway  Burns, 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
Sol.  Shepard. 
Enoch  Ward,  Eli  West. 
Enoch  Ward,  Eli  West. 
Eli  West,  John  Fulford. 
Eli  West,  John  Fulford. 
John  Fulford,  Wm.  Shepard. 
John  Fulford,  A.  Jones. 
Adam  Gaskins,  William  Russell. 
A.  Gaskins,  Wm.  Russell. 
A.  Gaskins,  Wm.  Russell. 
James  Wallace,  Wm.  Russell. 
James  Wallace,  Aden  Jones. 
Asa  Bishop,  Newell  Bell. 
Elijah  Piggot,  John  McKairn. 
Elijah  Piggot,  John  McKairn. 
Elijah  Piggot,  Samuel  Easton. 
Samuel  Easton,  Thomas  Harriss. 
Samuel  Easton,  John  Robards. 
Thomas  Russell,  John  Robards. 
T.  Russell,  J.  Robards. 
T.  Russell,  John  Robards. 
Jacob  Henry,  John  Robards. 
Jacob  Henry,  John  Robards. 
John  Robards,  N.  Pinkham. 
J.  Robards,  Abraham  Piggot. 
J.  Robards,  Nathaniel  Pinkham. 
J.  Robards,  Nathaniel  Pinkham. 
J.  Robards,  H.  Hill. 
Hatch  Hill,  John  Robards. 
Whittington  Davis,  Elijah  Piggot. 
John  Mayo,  N.  Pinkham. 
Nat.  Pinkham,  Isaac  Ilellen. 
Isaac  Ilellen,  N.  Pinkham. 
W.  D.  Styron,  Otway  Burns. 
Otwav  Burns,  Isaac  Hellen. 
Isaac^ Ilellen,  Edw'd  H.  Bell. 
Otway  Burns,  Wm.  H.  Borden. 
Otwav  Burns,  Wm.  II.  Borden. 
Edw'd  II.  Bell,  Otway  Burns. 
David  W.  Borden,  Otway  Burns. 
J.  S.  W.  Hellen,  David  W.  Borden. 
J.  S.  W.  Hellen,  David  W.  Borden, 


CASWELL  COUNTY.  77 

Years.  Senators.  Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

1830.  David  "W.  Borden,  Thomas  Marshall,  John  F.  Jones. 

1831.  Otway  Burns,  John  F.  Jones,  J.  "W.  Hunt. 

1832.  Thomas  Marshall,  Ot^Yay  Burns,  D.  W.  Borden. 

1833.  Otway  Burns,  Samuel  Leffers,  David  AVhitehurst. 

1834.  Otway  Burns,  James  Manny,  Elijah  S.  Bell. 

1835.  James  W.Bryan,  James  W.  Hunt,  Thomas  Marshall. 

(Under  the  new  Constitution,  Carteret  and  Jones  form  one  Senatorial  district 
-the  20th), 

1836.  Jas.  TV".  Bryan,  Thomas  Marshall. 
1838.     Enoch  Foy,  Elijah  S.  Bell. 
1840.     Isaac  Hellen,  Elijah  Whitehurst. 
1842.    Jas.  W.  Howard,  Thomas  Marshall. 
1844.     Isaac  Hellen,  E.  Whitehurst. 
1846.     James  W.  Howard,     Jennings  Piggot. 
1848.     E.  S.  Bell,  Jennings  Piggot. 
1850.     M.  F.  Arendell,  Jennings  Piggot. 


CHAPTER    XV. 


CASWELL  COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation,  origin  of  name,  situation  and  boundaries — Yanceyville,- 
capital — Population  and  products — Climate  and  soil — Distinguished  citizens 
— Marmaduke  Williams,  Bartlett  Yancey,  R.  M.  Saunders,  Bedford  Brown, 
and  others,  members  of  the  General  Assembly. 

Caswell  County  was  erected  in  1777,  out  of  Orange  County. 

It  derives  its  name  from  Richard  Caswell,  the  first  Governor 
under  the  Constitution,  whose  life,  services,  and  death,  have  already 
received  a  full  notice.* 

The  heathen  philosophers  endeavored  to  write  their  Mythology 
on  the  heavens,  beyond  the  pages  of  history,  by  naming  the  planets 
and  stars  after  their  divinities  and  heroes,  indulging  the  hope  that 
as  long  as  their  radiant  effulgence  existed,  these  names  would  be 
known  to  all  time,  and  venerated  in  all  ages. 

So  has  North  Carolina  preserved  in  perpetual  memory  the  name 
of  one  of  her  purest  patriots  and  devoted  sons.  His  name  is  worthy 
of  such  a  country.  His  example  is  left  to  urge  us  to  follow  his  acts 
of  honor  and  patriotism. 

"  And  by  his  light 
Shall  every  gallant  youth  with  ardor  move, 
To  do  brave  deeds." 

Caswell  County  is  situated  in  the  north-western  part  of  North 
Carolina,  and  forms  a  beautiful  compact  square,  having  the  Virginia 

*  Vol.  i. 


78  HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLINA. 

line  on  the  north ;   Person  County  on  the  east ;    Alamance  and 
Orange  on  the  south ;  and  Rockingham  County  on  the  west. 

Its  capital  is  Yanceyville,  named  in  compliment  to  Bartlett 
Yancey  (whose  services  are  herein  recorded),  and  distant  from 
Raleigh  66  miles. 

Population,  7,081  whites;  7,770  slaves;  418  free  negroes ;  12,161  federal 
population. 

Products,  78,682  bushels  of  wheat;  121,885  bushels  of  oats  ;  2,800  bushels 
of  rye  ;  509,480  bushels  of  corn  ;  3,005,842  pounds  of  tobacco  ;  82,649  pounds 
of  cotton ;  8,524  pounds  of  wool. 

Its  climate  is  salubrious,  and  its  lands  fertile.  Its  revolutionary 
history  is  connected  with  Orange. 

Few  counties  can  present  citizens  whose  services  are  entitled  to 
more  respect,  and  whose  devotion  to  the  welfare  of  the  State,  was 
more  sincere  than  Caswell. 

Many  of  her  sons  have  gone  to  other  States,  iNIississippi,  Ala- 
bama, and  elsewhere,  and  whose  talents  have  been  shown  and  vir- 
tues acknowledged  by  their  adopted  country  by  elevating  them  to 
high  and  distinguished  positions. 

Marmaduke  "Williams  was  one  of  these.  lie  was  born  in  Caswell  County 
on  the  Gth  of  April  1772,  married  Mrs.  Agnes  Harris,  whose  maiden  name 
was  Payne. 

In  1802  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  the  next  year  elected  to  Con- 
gress to  succeed  his  brother,  liobert  Williams,  who  was  appointed  by 
3Ir.  Jefferson,  Governor  of  Mississippi.  He  remained  in  Congress  until  1809. 
In  1810  he  removed  to  Alabama,  Tuscaloosa  County,  and  was  a  delegate  from 
that  county  to  the  convention  which  formed  the  Constitution. 

In  1832  elected  a  Judge  of  Tuscaloosa  County.  He  died  on  the  29th  of  Oct. 
1850. 

The  county  seat  of  Caswell  is  Yanceyville  ;  and  this  is  associated,  too,  with 
the  name  of  Bartlett  Yancey.  Ilis  character  was  one  of  which  his  county 
and  State  may  well  be  proud,  and  which  deserves  to  be  cherished  by  every 
citizen.  Though  many  of  us  who  have  associated  with  and  known  this  dis- 
tinguished individual,  and  therefore  are  too  near  the  Colossus  to  admire  its 
perfect  proportions,  yet  he  was  a  man  "worthy  of  Rome  in  Eome's  beat 
days."  Raised  by  his  own  energies  and  exertions  to  a  rank  high  among  his 
fellow-men,  with  a  mind  if  not  naturally  overpowering,  yet  cultivated  by  edu- 
cation, with  a  person  and  manners,  "to  win  golden  opinions  from  all  sorts  of 
men,"  his  name  well  deserves  to  be  embalmed  by  the  capital  of  the  county 
in  which  he  lived,  by  the  people  whom  he  served,  and  among  whom  he  died. 
The  regard  of  his  native  State  has  carried  this  feeling  still  fiirther,  and  named 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  her  trans-montane  counties  after  this  distin- 
guished patriot.  It  will  be  for  some  pen  more  intimately  acquainted  with 
his  private  life,  to  give  to  his  country  the  earlyaccount  of  this  worthy  citizen. 
The  writer  of  this  only  knew  him  in  the  later  periods  of  his  public  career. 
He  was  educated  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina,  and  was  for  a  time,  it 
is  believed,  a  tutor  in  that  institution.  His  first  appearance  in  politics  was 
in  1813,  as  member  of  Congress,  where  he  served  four  years.  In  1817  he 
was  Senator  from  Caswell  County,  and  he  succeeded,  as  Speaker  of  that  body, 
Hon.  John  Branch,  when  the  latter  was  elected  governor.  From  that  period 
until  his  death,  in_1828,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Senate,  and  Speaker  with 
little  or  no  intermission.  Such  was  his  unbounded  popularity,  that  a  manu- 
script sketch  of  this  gentleman  by  Mr.  McQueen  states  that  wlien  a  candidate 
for  Congress,  he  received  every  vote  but  one  in  Caswell  County  !  As  a  law- 
yer, he  had  few  equals  and  no  superiors.  But  it  was  chiefly  while  presiding 
as  Speaker,  for  a  series  of  years,  of  a  body  that  was  graced  by  many  of  the 


CASWELL  COUNTY.  T9 

proudest  intellectual  ornaments  of  the  State,  and  agitated  by  some  of  the  most 
important  questions  of  tlie  day,  that  the  superiority  of  Mr.  Yancey  consisted. 
Early  was  this  talent  ^o  developed  that  while  a  member  of  the  House  of  Re- 
presentatives in  Congress,  the  Speaker  (Mr.  Clay),  as  will  appear  by  refer- 
ence to  the  Journals,  often  supplied  his  place  by  the  substitution  of  Mr. 
Yancey;  and  he  did  not  suffer  by  comparison  with  that  distinguished  gen- 
tleman, who,  as  a  Speaker,  still  stands  unrivalled.  Combining  with  great 
energy  and  quickness,  an  astuteness  of  mind,  his  bland  and  elegant  manners 
render  him  peculiarly  fitted  for  this  station.  The  duties  of  this  position 
necessarily  excluded  him  from  an  active  participation  in  discussions  on  the 
floor.  But  whenever  occasion  called  for  it,  the  Senate  resolved  itself  into  a 
committee  of  the  whole,  and  his  splendid  ability,  his  cogent  reasoning  and 
thrilling  eloquence  were  ever  ready  for  his  country's  welfare.  He  was  a 
most  energetic  and  powerful  debater.  Blessed  with  a  manly  person,  an  ob- 
servant and  active  mind,  a  well-regulated  and  harmonious  voice,  therewas  a 
resistless  impetuosity  and  vehemence  in  his  efforts  that  bore  down  like  an 
avalanche  every  opposition.  The  present  Supreme  Court  system,  the  order 
and  regularity  of  the  Treasury  and  Comptroller's  departments  of  the  State, 
the  various  acts  regulating  the  Internal  Improvement  of  the  State,  and 
many  other  public  measures,  received  an  impulse  and  support  from  him 
that  secured  their  success.  His  death,  which  occurred  while  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Senate  (in  1828),  so  unexpected,  caused  a  sensation  throughout  the 
whole  State  which,  even  at  this  distant  day,  is  painfully  remembered.  All 
eyes  had  been  turned  to  him  as  the  appropriate  successor  to  Gov.  Branch  in 
the  Senate  of  the  United  States.     Of  such  a  son,  Caswell  may  well  be  proud. 

Hon.  Jacob  Thompson,  at  present  a  member  of  Congress  from  the  State  of 
Mississippi,  is  a  native  son  of  Caswell. 

He  was  educated  at  our  University,  and  graduated  in  1831,  and  for  a  time 
was  a  tutor  in  the  institution. 

In  1839,  he  was  elected  to  Congress  from  his  adopted  State,  and  has 
continued  ever  since.  Although  his  talents  and  services  are  devoted  to 
another  State,  North  Carolina  and  Caswell  are  proud  of  her  son. 

Hon.  Bedford  Browx  was  born  in  Caswell,  in  1795.  His  first  appearance 
in  public  life,  was  in  the  year  1815,  as  member  of  the  House  of  Commons, 
from  Caswell.  His  colleague  was  Hon.  R.  M.  Saunders,  in  the_  Commons  ; 
both  distingnished  in  after  life,  and  competitors  for  same  political  honors. 
Mr.  Brown  entered  public  life  at  an  interesting  and  eventful  period  of  our 
country's  history.  The  war  with  Great  Britain  that  our  country  was  then 
engaged  in,  divided  parties  in  angry  and  acrimonious  collision.  Mr.Brown 
took  a  prominent  stand  for  the  administration  and  the  war,  and  at  this  early 
age  evinced  that  prominent  trait  in  his  character,  of  indomitable  firmness 
and  unconquerable  tenacity  to  his  principles. 

He  served  many  years  in  both  Houses  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  m 
1829,  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  by  one  vote.  He  served 
in  this  exalted  position  with  so  much  satisfaction,  at  a  most  excited  period 
of  public  affairs,  that  he  was  again  elected  to  this  important  office,  which  he 
resigned  under  instructions  from  the  General  Assembly. 

In  1842,  he  was  again  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly,  as  Senatprfrom 
Caswell,  and  was  a  candidate  for  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  After  an 
animated  and  angry  contest,  which  terminated  in  the  election  of  Mr.  Hay- 
wood, Mr.  Brown  withdrew  from  public  life.  He  removed  to  Missouri,  then 
returned  to  North  Carolina,  and  is  now  at  or  near  Baltimore,  in  Maryland, 
superintending  the  education  of  his  children. 

To  the  same  session  of  the  General  Assembly  in  which  Mr.  Brown  first  ap- 
peared (1815),  Hon.  Romulus  Mitchell  Saunders  was  elected.  Mr.  Saunders 
has  been  ever  since  on  the  stage  of  public  action. 

He  was  born  in  Caswell  County,  in  March,  1791 ;  son  of  William  Saunders, 
an  officer  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  educated  at  Hyco  and  Caswell  Academy, 
and  was  two  years  at  the  University.     Studied  law  with  Hon.  Hugh  Lawsoa 


80  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

"White,  of  Tennessee,  and  was  licensed  to  practice  in  that  State  in  1812.  He 
returned  to  Xorth  Carolina,  and  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in 
1815,  to  1820,  and  was  Speaker  of  the  House  in  1819  and  1820. 

In  1821,  he  was  elected  member  of  Congress,  and  served  until  1827. 

The  demands  of  a  young  and  rising  family  requiring  his  attention  to  his 
profession,  he  was  not  a  candidate  for  re-election,  but  turned  his  whole  time 
aud  attention  to  his  profession. 

In  1828,  he  was  elected  Attorney-General  of  the  State. 

In  1833,  he  was  appointed  by  the  President  one  of  the  Board  of  Commis- 
sioners to  decide  and  allot  the  amounts  due  citizens  of  the  United  States  for 
injuries  by  France,  as  settled  by  Treaty  of  4th  of  July,  1831. 

Here  it  was  the  fortune  of  the  Author  of  these  sketches  to  be  associated  with 
General  Saunders  on  this  commission,  and  it  cannot  be  improper  to  record 
the  facts  of  the  manner  in  which  these  important  duties  were  discharged. 

This  was  a  most  important  commission.  The  amount  to  be  distributed,  as 
secured  by  treaty,  was  twenty-five  millions  of  francs  ;  it  was  to  be  distributed 
among  thousands  of  claimants.  Hon.  Geo.  W.  Campbell,  of  Tennessee,  late 
member  of  Congress,  Minister  Plenipotentiary  to  Russia,  and  Secretary  of 
Treasury,  and  Hon.  John  K.  Kane,  now  U.  S.  Judge  of  Pennsylvania,  were 
his  colleagues. 

The  first  legal  talents  of  the  nation  appeared  before  this  Board  as  Advo- 
cates ;  among  them  were  Daniel  Webster,  Chancellor  Kent,  Francis  Key, 
and  David  B.  Ogden.  Such  were  the  patient  and  laborious  habits  of  General 
Saunders,  the  acumen  of  his  intellect  aud  the  clearness  of  his  decisions,  that 
he  won  for  himself  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  in  this  arduous  duty. 

In  1835,  he  was  elected  by  the  Legislature  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts, 
which  he  resigned  in  18-40,  "on  being  nominated  as  the  Democratic  candidate 
for  Governor.  The  heat  and  ardor  of  this  political  campaign  will  be  long 
remembered.  Judge  Saunders  shared  the  fortunes  and  fate  of  his  party,  and 
was  defeated  by  John  M.  Morehead,  Esq. 

In  1841,  he  was  again  elected  to  Congress,  and  he  served  until  1845. 

In  1846,  he  was  appointed  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate, 
Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Plenipotentiary  from  the  United  States  to 
Spain,  where  he  remained  until  1850,  when  he  was  recalled  at  his  own  request. 
He  was  the  second  person  in  North  Carolina  (General  William  R.  Davie  being 
the  first)  who  ever  received  such  a  distinguished  mark  of  high  honor  at  the 
hands  of  the  Federal  Government. 

He  returned  home  in  October,  1849.  As  an  evidence  of  the  confidence  of 
his  country  while  abroad,  and  the  respect  of  the  President,  he  was  intrusted 
Avith  a  special  commission  to  negotiate  on  the  subject  of  Cuba,  now  the  object 
of  much  interest  to  the  country. 

In  1850,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  Wake,  in 
which  capacity  he  served  last  session. 

He  has  taken  a  decided  aud  active  part  in  the  Railroad  Improvements  of 
the  State,  and  by  his  ardor  and  ability  contributed  much  to  their  success. 

To  another  age  and  at  another  day  these  data  may  afford  material  to  the 
historian  and  biographer.  No  elfort  is  made  to  extract  from  the  various 
speeches  of  Judge  Saunders,  or  allude  to  various  questions  of  public  policy 
or  principles  that  he  had  advocated  or  opposed.  But  justice  and  truth,  when 
divested  of  all  bias  or  prejudice  must  say,  that  his  character  is  worthy  of  the 
State,  and  his  services  have  contributed  to  her  elevation  aud  honor. 

Many  other  names  connected  with  Caswell  might  be  alluded  to,  and  in 
another  edition  may  be  referred  to. 

The  following  are  tlie  members  of  the  General  Assembly  from 
Caswell  county,  from  1777  to  1851. 

years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1778.     Dempsey  Moore,  John  Atkinson,  Richard  Moore. 

1782.     Dempsey  Moore,  David  Shelton,  Robert  Dickens. 


CASWELL  COUNTY. 


81 


Years.  Senate. 

1785.  Dempsey  INIoore, 

178G.  Dempsey  Moore, 

1788.  Robert  Payne, 

1791.  Robert  Dickens, 

1792.  James  Williamson, 

1793.  John  Williams, 

1794.  John  Williams, 

1795.  John  Williams, 

1796.  Wynn  Dickson, 

1797.  Wynn  Dickson, 

1800.  Samuel  Morton, 

1801.  Samuel  Morton, 

1802.  Marmaduke  Williams, 

1803.  Samuel  Morton, 

1804.  Samuel  Morton, 

1805.  Azariah  Graves, 

1806.  A.  Graves, 

1807.  A.  Graves, 

1808.  A.  Graves, 

1809.  A.  Graves, 

1810.  A.  Graves, 

1811.  A.  Graves, 

1812.  Nathanial  Williams, 

1813.  N.  Williams, 

1814.  B.  Graves, 

1815.  B.  Graves, 
1817.  Bartlett  Yancey, 
1819.  B.  Yancey, 

1821.  B.  Yancey, 

1822.  B.  Yancey, 

1823.  B.  Yancey, 

1825.  B.Yancey, 

1826.  B.  Yancey, 

1827.  B.  Yancey, 

1828.  Bedford  Brown, 

1829.  B.  Brown, 

1830.  James  Kerr, 

1831.  J.  Kerr, 

1832.  J.  Kerr, 

1833.  J.  Kerr, 

1834.  J.  Kerr, 

1835.  J.  Kerr, 


House  of  Commons. 
Robert  Dickens,  Adam  Sanders. 
Adam  Sanders,  Robert  Dickens. 
Benjamin  Douglass,  John  Graves. 
James  Williamson,  John  Graves. 
John  Graves,  David  Shelton. 
•John  Graves,  David  Shelton. 
Gabriel  Lea,  William  Parks. 
Solomon  Graves,  David  Burfort. 
Robert  Blackwell,  Solomon  Graves. 
Robert  Blackwell,  Solomon  Graves. 
James  Yancey,  Richard  Simpson. 
James  Yancey,  John  McAden. 
John  McAden,  James  Yancey. 
James  Yancey,  Young  McAden. 
Richard  Hornbuckle,  Laurence  Lea. 
Richard  Hornbuckle,  John  McMullen. 
James  Burton,  John  McMullen. 
J.  Burton,  James  Yancey. 
J.  Yancey,  James  Burton. 
Isaac  Rainey,  Nathaniel  Williams. 
Isaac  Rainey,  Nathaniel  Williams. 

James  Yancey,  Isaac  Rainey. 

Samuel  Dabney,  James  Rainey. 

Quinten  Anderson,  B.  Graves. 

Isaac  Rainey,  John  P.  Harrison. 

Romulus  M.  Saunders,  Bedford  Brown. 

B.  Brown,  R.  M.  Saunders. 

R.  M.  Saunders,  B.  Graves. 

Quinten  Anderson,  B.  Graves. 

James  Yancey,  B.  Graves.  _ 

Bedford  Brown.  James  Rainey. 

John  E.  Lewis,  Charles  D.  Donoho. 

John  E.  Lewis,  C.  D.  Donoho. 

John  E.  Lewis,  C.  D.  Donoho. 

James  H.  Ruffin,  James  Kerr. 

John  Wilson,  James  Kerr. 

Littleton  A.  Gwinn,  Stephen  Dodson. 

L.  A.  Gwinn,  John  F.  Garland. 

Barzillai  Graves,  L.'A.  Gwinn. 

John  E.  Brown,  Stephen  Dodson. 

J.  E.  Brown,  L.  A.  Gwinn. 

L.  A.  Gwinn,  Stephen  Dodson. 


(The  delegates  to  the  Convention  to  amend  the  Constitution,  in  June,  1835, 
were  William  A.  Lea  and  Calvin  Graves.) 


1836.  J.  Kerr, 

1838.  James  Kerr, 

1840.  James  Kerr, 

1842.  Bedford  Brown, 

1844.  L.  A.  Gwynn, 

1846.  Calvin  Graves, 

1848.  Calvin  Graves, 

1850.  George  Williamson, 


L.  A.  Gwynn,  William  A.  Lea. 
Levi  Walker,  L.  A.  Gwinn. 
Calvin  Graves,  Levi  Walker. 
Calvin  Graves,  Levi  Walker. 
Calvin  Graves,  J.  K.  Lea. 
John  B.  McMullen. 
John  B.  McMullen,  Richard  Jones. 
Samuel  P.  Hill,  D.  S.  Johnson. 


82  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 


CATAWBA  COUNTY. 


Catawba  County  was  formed  in  1842  from  Lincoln  County,  and 
derives  its  name  from  the  riyer  which  forms  its  northern  and  east- 
ern boundaries.  '  .:  -'■    ■ 

It  is  located  in  the  north-western  portion  of  the  State,  and 
bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Catawba  River,  which  separates  it 
from  Caldwell  County;  on  the  east  by  the  Catawba  River,  which 
separates  it  from  Iredell  County ;  on  the  south  by  Lincoln ;  and  on 
the  west  by  Burke. 

Its  population  is  7,272  whites;  1,5G9  slaves;  21  free  negroes;  and  8,234 
federal  population. 

Its  revolutionary  history  is  connected  with  Lincoln  County,  its 
separation  from  which  caused  an  angry  political  animosity,  which 
time  we  trust  has  removed.  It  is  blessed  with  a  most  healthful  cli- 
mate, fertile  lands,  and  every  advantage  to  nourish  a  useful  and 
intelligent  population. 

Its  county  seat  is  Neivton^  that  sprung  up  only  as  on  yesterday, 
and  has  a  commodious  Court  House,  and  other  Public  Buildings ; 
many  stores  and  handsome  private  residences  ;  175  miles  from  Ra- 
leigh. Its  inhabitants  are  distinguished  for  their  industry  and  in- 
tegrity. 

For  her  representatives,  as  she  votes  with  Lincoln  until  after  the 
session  of  1852,  see  Lincoln  County. 

Hon.  Henry  W.  Conner  resides  in  Catawba  County,  on  the  Catawba  River. 
He  was  born  in  Prince  George  County,  Virginia,  in  August  1793.  Educated 
at  the  University  of  South  Carolina,  at  Columbia,  at  which  institution  he 
graduated  in  1812.  In  1814  he  entered  the  army  as  Aide-de-camp  to  General 
Jos.  Graham,  and  marched  with  the  detachment  of  troops  to  the  Creek  Na- 
tion. 

In  1821  he  was  elected  to  Congress  and  served  continuously  until  1841 ; 
when  he  declined  a  re-election.  Major  Conner  is  a  disciple  of  the  Macon 
school  of  politics.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Senate  of  the  General  Assembly 
in  1848 ;  after  which  he  declined  all  public  honors  and  public  service.  He 
married  in  1839  Lucy,  the  daughter  of  the  late  Governor  Hawkins,  who  left 
him  for  a  bettter  world  in  1849. 


CHATHAM  COUNTY.  83 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


CHATHAM   COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation,  origin  of  name— Population  and  products— Capital— Revo- 
lutionary history — Regulators— The  character,  exploits,  and  death  of  David 
Fannen— The  character  of  James  F.  Taylor,  Attorney-General  of  North 
Carolina  and  a  native  of  Chatham— Abraham  Rencher — John  D.  Toomer 
and  others — List  of  members  of  Assembly. 

Chatham  County  was  formed  in  1770,  and  called  in  compliment  of  that 
distinguished  English  statesman  and  orator  William  Pitt,  Earl  of  Chatham, 
whose  talents  and  eloquence  were  displayed  in  the  British  Parliament  in^de- 
fence  of  the  rights  of  America.  He  was  a  son  of  Robert  Pitt,  born  in_1708, 
elevated  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-one  to  be  Premier  of  England.  His  last 
forensic  display  was  in  defence  of  America,  when  he  was  carried  in  the  House 
of  Lords  on  a  couch,  and  there,  in  all  the  resistless  power  of  his  mighty 
intellect,  in  the  music  and  majesty  of  his  eloquent  voice,  he  portrayed  the 
deep  and  burning  injustice  of 'England,  and  the  crying  wrongs  of  suffering 
America.  He  died  in  1778,  not  until  he  told  our  oppressors  t<)  their  teeth 
that  he  rejoiced  that  America  had  resisted,  and  predicted  the  brilliant  career 
that  awaited  her,  and  the  destiny  which  she  has  since  fulfilled.  His  speeches 
are  among  the  best  specimens  of  oratory  in  our  language.  Worthily  is  his 
name  preserved  in  this  intelligent  portion  of  our  State. 

Chatham  County,  situated  near  the  centre  of  the  State,  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  ALamance  and  Orange ;  on  the  east  by  Wake  and 
a  small  portion  of  Cumberland ;  on  the  south  by  Moore ;  and  west 
by  Randolph. 

Its  capital  is  Pittsboro',  34  miles  west  of  Raleigh. 

Its  population  is  12,164  whites ;  5,985  slaves ;  300  free  negroes ;  16,055 
representative  population. 

Its  products  are  94,342  bushels  wheat;  93,368  bushels  oats;  446,708 
bushels  of  corn  ;  536,886  pounds  of  tobacco  ;  399,728  pounds  of  cotton ;  1000 
pounds  of  iron;  500  dollars  worth  of  lumber. 

The  immediate  cause  of  the  division  of  Orange  at  the  time  (1770) 
into  Chatham,  Wake  and  Guilford,  was  the  troubles  of  the  regu- 
lation in  this  section.  The  feeling  of  resistance  to  the  crown  offi- 
cers from  their  extortionary  and  oppressive  conduct,  is  already 
recorded  in  the  chapter  on  Alamance,  to  which  the  reader  is  re- 
ferred ;  Governor  Tryon  resorted  to  the  plan  of  dividing  this  region, 
so  that  the  people  would  not  so  often  congregate  at  one  point. 

Its  early  history  is  connected  with  these  troubles,  and  a  full  re- 
cord of  which  the  chapters  on  Alamance  and  Orange  present,  and 
renders  any  further  allusion  here  unnecessary. 

In  the  Revolutionary  struggle  of  our  country  Chatham  did  her 
part. 


84  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

To  the  meeting  of  delegates  at  Ilillsboro'  on  21st  August,  1775,  there  ap- 
peared as  members  from  Chatham,  Elisha  Cain,  Richard  Kexxox,  Mat- 
thew Jones,  Jeduthax  Harper,  Johx  Birdsong,  Ambrose  Ramsay,  Joseph 
RossER,  Robert  Rutherford,  Johx  Thompson,  and  Wm.  Clark. 

This  body  appointed  as  Field  Officers  for  Chatham,  Ambrose  Ramsay,  Colo- 
nel ;  Jeduthax  Harper,  Liutenant-Colonel ;  Mial  Scurlock,  Major;  Elisha 
Caix,  2d  Major. 

At  the  Congress  held  at  Halifax  on  the  12th  November,  1776,  which 
formed  our  State  Constitution,  the  members  from  Chatham  County  were : — 
Ambrose  Ramsay,  Johx  Birdsoxg,  Mial  Scurlock,  Isaiah  Hogax,  and  Je- 
duthax Harper. 

These  men  have  all  gone — their  names  are  here  recorded ';  but 
their  lives,  services,  and  death  beyond  this  record  are  unknown.  It 
is  to  be  hoped  that  some  friend  of  Chatham  will  collect  some  me- 
mento worthy  of  their  fame.  Men  are  like  the  summer  cloud,  that 
the  breath  of  evening  wafts  away.  But  patriotic  acts  and  heroic 
services  are  not  thus  transient.  A  grateful  country  delights  to 
cherish  the  recollection  and  record  of  their  deeds,  and  inscribe  their 
names  on  her  monuments. 

There  lived  in  Chatham  a  man  notorious  for  his  marauding  dis- 
position, his  fearless  and  active  temper,  his  dark  and  dangerous 
services  against  the  cause  of  liberty. 

While  we  preserve  the  names  of  the  philanthropist  and  patriot, 
duty  compels  us  to  describe  others  whose  conduct  has  marked 
them  with  ignominy,  and  whose  names  deserve  execration.  This  is 
but  just.  Indiscriminate  eulogy  is  as  illy  applied  to  a  nation  as 
to  individuals. 

History  informs  us  that  when  Cromwell  was  about  to  sit  for  his 
portrait  to  Sir  Peter  Lely,  the  painter  of  the  age,  he  peremptorily 
told  him,  "Paint  me  as  I  am."  So  commands  North  CaroKna 
to  any  who  attempts  to  describe  her  history  or  that  of  her  sons. 

David  Fanxex  was  born  about  1754  in  Wake  County.  He  was  appren- 
ticed to  a  carpenter  or  loom  maker.  In  1778  he  moved  to  Chatham.  The 
occupation  of  Wilmington  by  the  British  under  Colonel  Craig  oflfered  other 
prospects  to  his  ambitious  views.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  marauding 
exploits,  and  one  of  the  earliest  sufferers  from  his  violence  and  rapacity  was 
Charles  Shearing,  on  Deep  River,  to  whose  house  he  went  in  the  night,  and 
shot  him  as  he  ran  from  the  house.  His  energy  of  character  was  appre- 
ciated by  the  British  authorities.  He  was  appointed  a  Colonel  of  the  Loyal 
militia.  An  old  Tory,  by  the  name  of  Lindsy,  gave  him  a  mare  called  Red  Doe, 
whose  blood  even  to  this  day  is  highly  prized.  Major  Craig  at  Wilmington 
presented  him  with  a  uniform,  and  pair  of  pistols  and  holsters.  An  interest- 
ing event  is  recorded,  by  which  he  lost  "the  Red  Doe"  and  his  pistols.  An 
active  and  zealous  Whig  named  Hunter,  afterwards  of  South  Carolina,  was 
taken  by  this  ferocious  bandit  and  his  myrmidons.  He  was  sentenced  to  be 
hanged.  The  rope  was  around  his  neck.  Fannen  rode  up  and  dismounted 
to  witness  his  execution,  leaving  his  mare  standing  near.  In  an  instant,  the 
prisoner  threw  off  the  rope,  and  leaped  on  the  back  of  the  noble  steed.  The 
guard  seized  their  arms,  and  Fannen  orders  them  to  "  fire  high"  to  save  his 
mare.  Hunter  escaped  with  a  shot  in  his  shoulder,  but  the  "  Red  Doe"  and 
the  holsters  were  his  booty. 

When  Cornwallis  raised  the  royal  standard  at  Hillsboro'  (Feb.  1781),  Fan- 
nen was  a  terror  to  the  whole  country.    The  daring  of  his  enterprises,  the 


CHATHAM  COUNTY.  85 

cruelty  of  his  conduct,  and  his  success,  excite  our  admiration  for  this  bold, 
bad  man,  much  braver  than  and  equally  base  as  his  more  polished  namesake 
of  Orange  County.  His  forces,  with  Col.  Hector  McNeill  and  Ray,  were  be- 
tween 600  and  1,000  men. 

Among  his  earliest  successes  was  the  capture  of  Col.  Philip  Alston  at  his 
house  in  Chatham  with  a  few  followers. 

On  18th  July,  1781,  he  made  a  descent  upon  a  court-martial  at  Pittsboro', 
and  took  the  officers  prisoners,  and  carried  them  to  Wilmington. 

On  14th  August,  1781,  he  entered  Campbellton  (now  Fayetteville),  and 
carried  off  Col.  Ennett,  Captain  Winslow  and  others. 

On  1st  September  following,  a  battle  was  fought  at  McFalFs  mill,  on  the 
Raft  Swamp,  between  him  and  the  friends  of  liberty.  On  the  13th  he  and 
McNeill  entered  Hillsboro',  then  the  seat  of  government,  seized  the  Go- 
vernor of  the  State  (Thomas  Burke),  and  other  prominent  Whigs,  and  pro- 
ceeded with  the  utmost  rapidity  to  Wilmington.  General  Butler  endeavored 
to  intercept  them  with  a  superior  force,  and  did  so  at  Lindley's  Mills  on 
Cane  Creek,  where  an  engagement  took  place  on  the  following  day,  Fan- 
nen  was  severely  wounded,  but  retreated  with  his  prisoners,  whom  he  de- 
livered to  Major  Craig  at  Wilmington. 

In  1782  Fannen  made  his  way  to  Charleston,  and  from  thence  retreated 
to  Nova  Scotia,  where  he  died  in  1825.  * 

James  Fauntelroy  Taylor  was  a  native  of  Chatham  County.  He  was  a 
son  of  Captain  Philip  Taylor,  of  the  revolutionary  army.  He  was  born  July, 
1791.  His  early  education  was  conducted  by  Wm.  Bingham,  in  Orange  County. 
He  graduated  at  Chapel  Hill  in  1810  ;  studied  law  with  Chief  Justice  Taylor ; 
licensed  in  1812;  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  Wake 
County  in  1823  ;  elected  Attorney-General  in  1825  ;  and  died  June,  1828, 
leaving  a  widow  and  several  children;  one  of  whom  (the  only  son),  is  the 
present  Librarian  of  the  State,  at  Raleigh,  and  one  of  the  daughters,  wife  of 
Perrin  Busbee,  Esq.,  of  Raleigh. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  blessed  with  a  clear,  discriminating  intellect,  improved  by 
all  the  advantages  of  the  age.  His  talents  were  of  a  high  order,  and  duly 
appreciated  by  his  country.  In  the  administration  of  the  criminal  law, 
while  the  guilty  had  nothing  to  hope,  the  oppressed  and  innocent  had  no- 
thing to  fear.  He  was  loved  by  all  who  knew  him  for  his  generous  and  social 
qualities,  and  had  his  career  not  terminated  at  so  early  an  age,  it  would  have 
been  brilliant  to  his  own  fame  and  useful  to  the  State.  When  the  cruel 
hand  of  death  enters  and  destroys  such  bright  prospects  and  glowing  hopes, 
we  feel,  with  Burke,  "  the  vanity  of  all  earthly  pursuits,  and  what  shadows 
we  are,  and  what  shadows  we  pursue." 

Hox.  Charles  Manly  is  a  native  of  Chatham  ;  graduated  at  the  University 
in  1814 ;  studied  law  with  the  late  Robert  Williams,  whom  he  succeeded  as 
Treasurer  of  the  University.  He  was  for  a  long  time  Reading  Clerk  of  the 
House  of  Commons. 

In  1845,  he  was  elected  Governor,  and,  in  1849,  defeated  by  the  Hon.  David 
Settle  Reid. 

Hon.  Abraham  Rencher  is  a  resident  of  Chatham  County. 

He  graduated  at  Chapel  Hill,  in  1822 ;  elected  a  member  of  Congress  in 
1829,  and  served  continuously  until  1839  ;  elected  again  in  1841. 

In  1843,  he  was  appointed  Charge  d' Affaires  from  the  United  States  to 
Portugal,  where  he  resided  for  several  years,  discharging  his  duties  with 
satisfaction  to  the  government  and  honor  and  credit  to  himself. 

*  I  am  indebted  to  a  letter  from  the  Hon.  David  L.  Swain  to  Dr.  Johnson,  of  Charleston, 
for  the  facts  relative  to  this  man.  I  have  had  very  many  reasons  to  thank  Gov.  Swain  for 
his  liberality  and  kindness,  and  for  a  friendship  (commenced  in  1827  in  Judge  Taylor's 
law  office),  which  has  contmued  to  this  day.  In  gratitude  for  this  uninterrupted  friend- 
ship, the  many  acts  of  kindness,  and  a  high  esteem  for  his  talents  and  his  worth,  I  have 
dedicated  mv  work  to  him. 


86 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Hon.  John  D.  Toomer  resides  in  Chatham,  for  a  sketch  of  whom  the  reader 
is  referred  to  Cumberland  County. 

Hugh  McQueen  is  a  native  of  Chatham,  and  represented  her  several  years 
in  both  branches  of  the  Legislature ;  member  of  the  Convention  in  1835  ; 
Attorney-General  in  1840,  which  he  resigned  in  1842.  lie  removed  to  Texas 
soon  after,  and  took  a  distinguished  part  in  the  struggles  for  liberty. 

John  S.  Guthrie,  now  dead,  was  a  native  and  resident  of  Chatham,  and 
represe^ed  her  for  many  years  in  the  Legislature.     Of  him,  one  may  say,  as 


Hamlet- 


"  Alas,  poor  Yorick  ! 
I  knew  him  well,  Horatio;  a  fellow  of  infinite  jest, 
Of  most  excellent  fancy." 


Nature  had  done  much  for  him ;  education  but  little ;  he,  himself,  much  less. 
There  might  be  other  names  recorded  in  these  sketches  connected  with 
Chatham,  but  our  limits  require  precision  ;  another  edition  may  extend  the 
notices  of  this  patriotic  county  and  her  sons. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Chatham  County,  from 
the  first  session  under  the  Constitution  to  the  last  session  1850-51. 


Years.  Senators. 

1777.  Ambrose  Ramsay, 

1778.  Ambrose  Ramsay, 

1779.  Ambrose  Ramsay, 

1780.  Ambrose  Ramsay, 

1781.  Ambrose  Ramsay, 

1782.  William  B.  Smith, 

1783.  Ambrose  Ramsay, 

1784.  Ambrose  Ramsay, 

1785.  Ambrose  Ramsay, 

1786.  Ambrose  Ramsay, 

1787.  Ambrose  Ramsay, 

1788.  Ambrose  Ramsay, 

1789.  George  Lucas, 

1790.  Joseph  Stewart, 

1791.  Joseph  Stewart, 

1792.  Joseph  Stewart, 

1793.  Joseph  Stewart, 

1794.  Joseph  Stewart, 

1795.  Joseph  Stewart, 

1796.  Lemuel  Smith, 

1797.  George  Lucas, 

1798.  Joseph  Stewart, 

1799.  James  Gaines, 

1800.  James  Gaines, 

1801.  Lemuel  Smith, 

1802.  Joseph  J.  Alston, 

1803.  Joseph  J.  Alston, 

1804.  William  Brantley, 

1805.  William  Brantley, 

1806.  Winship  Stedman, 

1807.  John  Farrar, 

1808.  John  Farrar, 

1809.  Roderick  Gotten, 

1810.  Micajah  McGee, 

1811.  Roderick  Gotten, 

1812.  Micajah  McGee, 

1813.  John  Farrar, 


House  of  Commons. 
Alexander  Clark,  John  Birdson. 
Alexander  Clark,  James  Williams. 
Jeduthan  Harper,  John  Lutrcll. 
Mial  Scurlock,  James  Williams. 
James  Williams,  John  Ledhill. 
James  Williams,  John  Ledhill. 
Matthew  Jones,  Richard  Hennon. 
Elisha  Cain,  Joseph  Stewart. 
Joseph  Stewart,  Roger  Griffith. 
James  Anderson,  Joseph  Stewart. 
James  Anderson,  Joseph  Stewart. 
James  Anderson,  Joseph  Stewart. 
James  Anderson,  Joseph  Stewart. 
James  Anderson,  John  Mebane. 
John  Mebane,  James  Anderson. 
James  Anderson,  John  Mebane. 
George  Lucas,  John  Mebane. 
George  Lucas,  John  Dabney. 
John  Mebane,  Mial  Scurlock. 
John  Dabney,  Thomas  Stokes. 
Thomas  Stokes,  John  Dabney. 
George  Lucas,  John  Mebane. 
John  Dabney,  John  Mebane. 
James  Alston,  John  Mebane. 
John  Dabney,  John  Mebane. 
George  Dismukes,  John  Dabney. 
John  Mebane,  John  Dabney. 
John  Farrar,  Andrew  Headen. 
John  Farrar,  William  O'Kclly. 
Andrew  Headen,  John  Fai-rar. 
John  Mebane,  Andrew  Headen. 
John  Mebane,  Andrew  Headen. 
John  Mebane,  Charles  Kennon. 
Mark  Bynum,  Nathan  Stedman. 
Andrew  Headen,  John  Mebane. 
Mark  Bynum,  William  O'Kelly. 
Bartholomew  Lightfoot,  John  B.  Mebane. 


CHEROKEE  COUNTY. 


87 


Years.  Senators. 

1814.  Andrew  Ileaden, 

1815.  John  Farrar, 

1816.  John  Farrar, 

1817.  John  Farrar, 

1818.  William  O'Kellv, 

1819.  John  Farrar, 

1820.  Jesse  Bray, 

1822.  Jesse  Bray, 

1823.  Robert  Marsh, 

1824.  Robert  Marsh, 

1825.  Robert  Marsh, 

1826.  Robert  Marsh, 

1827.  Joseph  Ramsay, 

1828.  Joseph  Ramsay, 

1829.  Joseph  Ramsay, 

1830.  Joseph  Ramsay, 

1831.  William  Reneber, 

1832.  Nathan  A.  Stedman, 

1833.  Nathan  A.  Stedman, 

1834.  Hugh  McQueen, 

1835.  Hugh  McQueen, 

1836.  William  Albright, 

1838.  William  Albright, 

1840.  William  Albright, 

1842.  William  Albright, 

1844.  William  Albright, 

1846.  AVilliam  Albright, 

1848.  William  Albright, 

1850.  J.  H.  Ilaughton, 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
John  A.  Ramsay,  William  O'Kelly. 
John  A.  Ramsav,  William  O'Kelly. 
William  O'Kelly,  Richard  C.  Gotten. 
Richard  C.  Gotten,  John  J.  Alston. 
Richard  C.  Gotten,  John  A.  Ramsay. 
Thomas  Hill,  John  A.  Ramsay. 
Richard  Freeman,  James  C.  Barbee. 
W.  G.  Gotten,  W.  Underwood. 
William  Underwood,  A.  Ramsay. 
Ambrose  K.  Ramsay,  William  Underwood. 
William  Underwood,  J.  J.  Brooks. 
Ambrose  K.  Ramsay,  Thomas  Hill. 
Nathaniel  G.  Smith,  Nathan  A.  Stedman. 
Nathaniel  G.  Smith,  Joseph  J.  Brooks. 
Joseph  J.  Brooks,  Hugh  McQueen. 
Nathaniel  G.  Smith,  Joseph  J.  Brooks. 
Joseph  J.  Brooks,  Hugh  McQueen. 
John  S.  Guthrie,  Hugh  McQueen. 
R.  C.  Gotten,  .John  S.  Guthrie. 
R.  C.  Gotten,  William  Foushee. 
R.  G.  Gotten,  John  S.  Guthrie. 
Spencer   McGlennahan,   John  S.  Guthrie, 

Richard  C.  Gotten. 
Spencer   McGlennahan,  John  S.  Guthrie. 

R.  G.  Gotten. 
Spencer   McGlennahan,  John  S.  Guthrie, 

Isaac  Glegg. 
John  S.  Guthrie,  Thomas  Lassiter,  John  J. 

Jackson. 
D.  Hackny,  J.  H.  Haughton,  J.  S.  Guthrie. 
Daniel  Ilackny,  Thomas  Lassiter,  Maurice 

Q.  Waddle. 
Daniel  Hackny,  McGlennahan,  Headen. 
R.  G.  Gotten,  Dan.  Hackny,  G.  M.  Brazier. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 


CHEROKEE  COUNTY. 


CnEROKEE  County  was  formed  in  1839,  from  Macon  County. 
Its  name  is  derived  from  the  tribe  of  Indians  who  once  owned  a 
part  of  this  county. 

It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  south-western  part  of  the  State,  and 
bounded  on  the  north  by  White  Mountain,  which  separates  it 
from  Tennessee  and  the  County  of  Macon,  on  the  east  by  Macon 
County,  south  by  the  Georgia  line,  and  west  by  Tennessee. 

Its  capital  is  3Iurphj^  named  in  compliment  to  the  Hon.  Archi- 
bald D.  Murphy,  once  a  Judge  of  our  Superior  Court,  and  for  whose 
biography  reference  is  made  to  Orange  County,  of  which  he  was  a 
15 


88  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

resident.     Distance  from  Raleigh,  three  hundred  and  sixty-seven 
miles. 

This  region  of  country  is  picturesque  and  beautifuh  The  early 
traditions  of  the  aborigines  in  this  region,  have  been  preserved  in 
the  pleasant  fiction  of  Oneguskee,  written  by  the  Hon.  Robert 
Strange. 

Its  population  is  6,493  whites ;  337  slaves ;  8  free  negroes ;  6,703  represent- 
ative population. 

Its  products  are  2,760  bushels  of  wheat;  12,787  bushels  of  oats;  1,203 
bushels  of  rye ;  167,167  bushels  of  corn ;  1,075  dollars  in  gold. 

By  the  act  of  1840,  Cherokee,  Haywood,  and  Macon  Counties, 
form  the  fiftieth  Senatorial  District.  Her  senators  were — 1844  and 
1846,  Michael  Francis  ;  1848  and  1850,  Wm.  H.  Thomas. 

Ever  since  Cherokee  has  had  a  representative  in  the  General 
Assembly,  that  honor  has  been  conferred  on  George  W.  Hayes, 
whose  indefatigable  exertions,  untiring  energy  and  abilities  have 
greatly  contributed  to  her  advancement  and  relief. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 


CHOWAN  COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation  —  Origin  of  name — Situation  and  boundaries  —  Capital, 
Edenton — Population  and  products — Climate  and  soil — Colonial  and  revo- 
lutionary history — Its  distinguished  citizens — Samuel  Johnston,  Hugh  Wil- 
liamson, James  Iredell,  Sen.,  James  Iredell,  Jr.,  Stephen  Cabarrus,  Joseph 
Hewes  and  others — Members  of  Legislature. 

Chowan  County  was  one  of  the  original  precincts  of  the  Lords 
Proprietors,  under  charter  of  King  Charles  II.,  and  derives  its  name 
from  the  tribe  of  Indians,  Chowanokes,  who  once  owned  and  in- 
habited this  territory. 

It  is  situated  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  State ;  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Gates  County,  on  the  east  by  Perquimans,  on  the 
south  by  the  Albemarle  Sound,  and  on  the  west  by  the  Chowan 
River,  which  separates  it  from  Gates  and  Hertford  Counties. 

Its  capital  is  Edenton,  named  in  compliment  after  Charles  Eden, 
the  royal  Governor  of  the  Province  in  1720.  He  died  in  1722, 
and  lies  buried  in  Bertie  County.  A  sketch  of  Governor  Eden  has 
been  already  written,  and  will  be  found  in  vol.  i.  page  39. 

This  ancient  borough  was  settled  in  1716,  which  was  originally 
called  Queen  Anne's  Creek. 

Its  population  is  2,944  white  ;  104  free  negroes;  3,673  slaves;  5,251  federal 
population. 

Its  products  are  15,349  bushels  of  wheat ;  13,962  bushels  of  oats ;  282,209 


CHOWAN  COUNTY.  89 

bushels  of  corn  ;  1,207,297  pounds  of  cotton  ;  2,681  pounds  of  wool;  18,455 
barrels  of  fish  ;  624  barrels  of  turpentine. 

About  five  miles  south-east  of  Edenton,  about  one  hundred  yards  from 
Albemarle  Sound,  are  the  graves  of  Henderson  AValker,  and  others,  from 
whose  tombs  the  following  is  copied. 

"Here  lies  ye  body  of  Henderson  Walker,  Esq.,  President  of  ye  Council, 
and  Commander-in-chief  of  North  Carolina;  during  whose  administration  ye 

Srovince  enjoyed  that  tranquillity  which  it  is  to  be  wished  it  may  never  want. 
[e  departed  this  life,  14th  April,  1704,  aged  44  years."_ 
On  another  grave  near,  is  a  stone  with  the  following  inscription  : — 
"  Here  lies  ye  body  of  Madam  Anne  Mosely,  wife  of  Edward  Mosely,  Esq. 
She  was  ye  daughter  of  Major  Alexander  LiUington,  Esq.,  and  ye  widow  of 
the  Hon.  Henderson  Walker,  Esq.,  late  President  of  his  Majesty's  Council  in 
North  Carolina.  She  departed  this  life,  November  18th,  Anno  Domini,  1732, 
aged  55  years  and  5  months." 

The  ancient  records  of  the  Court  at  Edenton  are  of  great  Interest.  They 
are  filed  in  the  Superior  Court  Clerk's  office.  These  records  are  well  written, 
containing  four  hundred  and  twenty-five  pages.  From  these  it  appears  that 
the  courts  for  Carolina,  north  of  Cape  Fear,  were  first  held  at  the  house  of 
Capt.  John  Hecklefield,  28th  Oetoljer,  1712,  on  Little  River;  then  in  March, 
1715,  at  the  house  of  Capt.  Richard  Sanderson  ;  and  on  the  27th  March,  1722, 
at  Edenton ;  Christopher  Gale,  Chief  Justice,  and  seven  assistants  presiding. 

Seth  Sothel,  who  was  Governor  of  North  Carolina  in  1683,  resided  in 
this  county.  His  character  reflects  no  credit  upon  his  memory.  It  is  refer- 
red to  in  vol.  i.  31. 

Ilis  will  is  extant.*  The  first  item  "gives  to  his  loving  friend  Francis 
Hartly,  the  plantation  on  which  he  lived  for  the  term  of  four  years,  and  two 
thirds  of  his  seignory,  bounded  on  Flatty  Creek,  and  Pasquotank  River,  for 
the  term  of  the  lives  of  said  Hartly,  after  the  decease  of  his  wife,  Anna 
Sothel." 

lie  gives, in  the  second  item,  "to  Edward  Forster.his  father-in-law,  his  plan- 
tation at  Cuscopenum,  and  thirty  head  of  cattle,  and  a  negro  man.  He  gives, 
in  the  third  item,  William  Duckeutield,  AVilliam  AVilkinson,  and  Henderson 
Walker,  five  pounds  each,  to  buy  a  good  mourning  ring.  He  gives,  in  the 
fourth  item,  Edward  Wald  the  plantation  whereon  Thomas  Edwards  now 
lives,  on  Little  River,  for  his  life,  and,  after  his  death,  to  Anna  Sothel." 

In  the  fifth  item,  he  gives  "all  the  remainder  of  his  estate,  goods,  and 
chattels,  to  Anna  Sothel  forever,  and  appoints  her  whole  and  sole  executor 
of  his  will." 

The  will  is  dated  January  20th,  1689,  and  witnessed  by  Wm.  Wilkinson, 
Henderson  Walker,  John  Lowds,  William  AVobland,  and  Sarah  AVoblaud,  and 
proved  in  Court  3d  February,  1693. 

The  personal  estate  was  appraised  on  the  9th  July,  1695,  and  delivered  to 
Thomas  Pollock,  and  consisted  of  a  negro  man  valued  at  £40  ;  an  Indian 
woman  and  child,  £15  ;  an  Indian  boy,  =£12;  21  bushels  salt,  at  3s.,  £3  os. ; 
1  gun,  at  £1;  203  pounds  nails  at  £1:  100  sheep,  at  £40;  300  pounds  of 
tobacco,  at  £1  5.v. ;  bed  and  bolster,  £2;  97  dressed  buckskins,  £9  166-.  ;  126 
dressed  doeskins,  £9  95. ;  50  pounds  gunpowder,  £3  15s. ;  rum,  2s.  6f?.  in 
counfy  pay. 

Until  July,  1680,  all  accounts  in  the  colony  were  kept  in  tobacco. 

The  beautiful  sheet  of  w^ater  in  front  of  Edenton  preserves  the 
name  of  General  George  jMonk,  Duke  of  Albejiarle  ;  whose  efforts 
restored  Charles  the  Second  to  his  crown  and   kingdom,  and  who 

*  In  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State  at  Kaleigh,  "  rroceedings  of  the  General  Court  of 
Albemarle,  from  Nov.  1709  to  1712;"  l;ouiid  in  parchment.  I  am  indebted  to  the  kindness  of 
the  Hon.  David  L.  Swain  for  this. 


90  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

was  one  of  the  Lords  Proprietors  of  Carolina.  He  was  born  1608. 
He  was  originally  a  soldier  of  fortune  in  the  royal  army  of  Charles 
the  First ;  he  deserted  him  and  offered  his  services  to  Cromwell,  and 
on  his  death  contributed  to  restore  Charles  the  Second.  Pepys,  a 
cotemporary,  styles  him  "  as  a  dull  heavy  man,  who  will  not  hinder 
but  cannot  aid  business.  He  took  advantage  of  circumstances 
to  make  his  fortune  and  gratify  his  passion  for  power  and  place. 
He  cared  nothing  for  his  country,  but  only  for  himself."*  He  had 
some  pretensions  to  literature,  and  wrote  on  political  and  military 
subjects.     He  died  in  1670. 

From  an  old  custom  house  book  now  in  the  possession  of  J.  M. 
Jones,  Esq.,  of  Edenton,  it  appears  that  in  July  1T68  the  ship 
Amelia  cleared  hence  with  an  assorted  cargo,  among  which  were 
"three  bags  of  cotton." 

The  climate  is  mild,  but  in  the  fall  unhealthy.  The  winter  is 
generally  mild,  but  sometimes  severe.  The  Albemarle  Sound  in 
1772  was  completely  frozen  over.f 

The  early  history  of  Chowan  is  full  of  incident,  and  with  a 
biography  of  its  distinguished  citizens  presents  an  inviting  field  of 
itself  for  a  volume  of  interest  and  information.  Will  not  some 
able  hand  enter  the  field,  reap  its  rich  products,  and  garner  up  a 
harvest  "so  fair,  so  bright,  and  so  full  of  goodly  fruit?" 

The  devotion  of  her  sons  to  the  cause  of  liberty  is  worthy  of 
our  admiration  and  regard. 

To  the  general  meeting  of  deputies  of  the  inhabitants  of  North  Carolina 
at  Newbern  on  25th  August,  1774,  (the  first  assembly  of  the  people  adverse 
to  the  royal  authority,)  the  members  from  Chowan  were  Samuel  Johnson, 
Thomas  Oldham,  Thomas  Benbury,  Thomas  Jones,  and  Thomas  Hunter. 

The  same  appeared  at  Newbern  in  April  1775,  and  at  Hillsboro'  at  the 
meeting  on  21st  August,  1775:  the  same  appeared  with  James  Blount,  and 

Josiah  Grandberry.  ,  .  ,    ^  ,    ,      o.  X 

In  the  Congress  at  Halifax  12th  November,  1/  /6,  which  formed  the  btate 
Constitution,  the  delegates  were  James  Blount,  Thomas  Benbury,  Thomas 
Jones,  Luke  Sumner,  and  Jacob  Hunter. 

The  patriotism  of  the  men  was  even  exceeded  by  that  of  the  women. 

By  some  strange  freak  of  circumstance  many  years  ago,  there  was  found 
at  Gibraltar,  a  beautiful  picture,  done  in  a  skillful  style  enameled  on  glass,  "a 
meeting  of  the  ladies  of  Edenton  destroying  the  tea  (their  favorite  beverage) 
when  taxed  by  the  English  Parliament."  This  picture  was  procured  by  some 
of  the  officers  of  our  Navy,  and  was  sent  to  Edenton,  where  I  saw  it  in  1830. 

The  following  record  is"  extracted  from  the  American  Archives  (4th  series, 
vol.  i.  891). 

"  Edenton,  North  Carolina, 

"  2bth  Oct.,  1774. 

"  As  we  cannot  be  indifferent  on  any  occasion  that  appears  to  affect  the 
peace  and  happiness  of  our  country,  and  as  it  has  been  thought  necessary  for 
the  public  good  to  enter  into  several  particular  resolves  by  a  meeting  of  the 
members  of"  the  deputies  from  the  whole  province,  it  is  a  duty  we  owe,  not 
only  to  our  near  and  dear  relations  and  connections,  but  to  ourselves,  who 
are  essentially  interested  in  their  welfare,  to  do  everything  as  far  as  lies  iu 

*  Bancroft,  ii.  29.  t  Williamson,  i.  177. 


CHOWAN  COUNTY.  91 

our  power  to  testify  our  sincere  adherence  to  the  same ;  we  therefore  do  ac- 
cordinglj^  subscribe  this  paper  as  a  witness  of  our  fixed  intention  and  solemn 
determination. 

■  "  Signed  by  fifty-six  ladies." 

Samuel  Johnstox,  who  resided  and  died  in  Chowan,  was  a  native  of  Scot- 
land. He  AYas  as  distinguished  for  his  amiable  virtues  as  for  his  zeal  in  the 
cause  of  liberty. 

He  was  a  member  from  Chowan  County  in  1775  to  the  General  Meeting  at 
Xewbern.  He,  on  the  death  of  John  Harvey,  succeeded  as  Moderator  of 
this  assembly,  and  was  the  President  of  the  Provincial  Council.  This  officer 
was  the  actual  Governor  of  the  State  in  the  interregnum  between  the  abdica- 
tion of  Governor  Martin,  the  last  of  the  royal  governors,  and  the  accession  of 
Governor  Caswell  under  the  Constitution.  He  was  present  at  Halifax  during 
the  deliberations  of  the  Convention  which  formed  the  Constitution,  although 
not  a  member,  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  momentous  questions  before  that 
body,  and  contributed  by  his  genius,  talents,  and  influence,  to  preserve  its 
conservative  character.  It  is  wonderful  that  the  Constitution  then  formed 
was  so  free  from  objection,  as  that  it  should  remain  nearly  sixty  years  un- 
touched or  altered.  North  Carolina  was  the  first  State  to  declare  her  indepen- 
dence, so  her  State  Constitution  was  among  the  earliest  formed.  Xo  other 
State  had  made  landmarks  as  a  guide  in  this  new  and  untried  journey.  Just 
bursting  from  the  shackles  of  the  aristocratic  forms  of  the  English  Govern- 
ment, new  questions  arose  that  demanded  the  sagacity  and  prudence  of  the 
most  experienced  statesman.  The  views  of  Samuel  Johnston  were  eminently 
conservative.  He  was  opposed  to  many  features  of  the  Constitution,  as  at 
first  reported.  He  viewed  the  departure  too  great  from  the  principles  of  the 
English  Government,  and  considered  the  unbridled  will  of  the  people  as 
dangerous  to  true  liberty,  as  the  tyranny  of  an  irresponsible  monarch.  He 
opposed  vehemently  the  clause  giving  to  the  people  the  election  of  Justices  of 
the  Peace.  Had  he  lived  to  this  day  and  viewed  the  working  of  our  system, 
time  and  experience  might  have  modified  his  views. 

In  1780  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  which  as- 
sembled at  Philadelphia,  and  served  until  1782. 

He  was  elected  governor  in  17!S7.  He  was  the  unqualified  admirer  of  the 
Federal  Constitution,  and  was  President  of  the  Convention,  while  Governor 
of  the  State,  which  met  at  Hillsboro'  21st  July  1788,  to  consider  the  Constitu- 
tion, and  by  Avhich  body  it  was  rejected;  and  also  of  the  Convention  which 
met  at  Fayetteville  Nov.  1789,  which  ratified  that  instrument. 

He  was  the  first  Senator  from  North  Carolina  in  1789,  and  served  until 
1793.  He  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  in  February  1800, 
■which  he  resigned  in  November  1803. 

After  enjoying  every  honor  that  the  State  could  heap  upon  him,  he  volun- 
tarily resigned  all  public  employment,  deeming  what  the  wise  soldier  of 
Charles  V.,  when  he  resigned  his  commission,  declared  so  necessary,  "Aliqidd 
tempus  inferesse  debet  vitam  mortem  que,"  and  peacefully  departed  this  life  in 
the  year  1816.* 

He  left  one  son,  James  C.  Johxstox,  Esq.,  of  Edenton.  His  sister  Hannah 
married  Hon.  James  Iredell,  whose  biography  we  shall  presently  ofi'er. 

Hugh  Williamsox  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  in  1782,  from 
the  borough  of  Edenton,  and  again  from  the  county  in  1785.  Elected  by 
the  Colonial  Congress  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  1782,  and 
served  until  1785 ;  and  again  in  1787,  and  served  until  1788.  He  was 
selected  in  1787  as  a  delegate  from  North  Carolina  to  the  Convention  which 
formed  the  Federal  Constitution,  to  which  instrument,  his  name  (with  Wil- 
liam Blount  and  Richard  Dobbs  Spaight)  is  appended. 

He  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  5th  of  December,  1735,  in  West 
Nottingham  township.     His  father  was  an  Irishman,  a  respectable  clothier 

*  "  Some  time  ou?ht  to  intervene  between  the  life  and  death." 


92  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

in  Dublin,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  1730,  His  mother,  Mary  David- 
son, was  Irish,  and  came  to  this  country  Avith  her  father,  George  Davidson, 
when  about  three  years  old.  On  their  way  they  were  captured  by  Teach,  or 
Blackbeard,  the  celebrated  pirate,  by  whom,  after  being  plundered,  they  were 
released.  His  parents  were  married  in  1731,  and  had  ten  children,  of  which 
Hugh  was  the  oldest.  He  was  educated  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
at  which  he  graduated  in  1757.  He  studied  Divinity,  and  was  licensed  to 
preach  by  the  Philadelphia  Presbytery ;  but  after  preaching  two  years,  he 
resigned  on  account  of  ill  health.  In  17G0,  he  was  appointed  Professor  of 
Mathematics  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1764,  he  resigned  and 
went  to  Edinburgh  to  study  medicine.  In  1772,  he  returned  and  practiced  his 
profession  in  Philadelphia.  He  was  sent  with  Ilev.  Dr.  Ewing  to  England,  • 
to  raise  funds  for  a  literary  institution  at  Newark.  This  was  at  the  time  of 
the  destruction  of  tea  in  the  Boston  Harbor,  and  the  vessel  in  which  Dr. 
Williamson  sailed  to  England,  took  the  first  news  of  this  occurrence  to 
England.  This  daring  measure  excited  much  feeling  in  England_^  Dr.  Wil- 
liamson was  examined  before  the  Privy  Council  in  February,  1774.  ^  He  as- 
sured the  Council  that  if  the  measures  of  Parliament  were  persisted  in,  civil 
war  and  revolution  must  be  the  inevitable  consequences. 

Dr.  Williamson  obtained  the  possession  of  certain  letters  while  in  England, 
written  by  the  Royal  Governor  of  Massachusetts,  and  Mr.  Oliver,  Secretary 
of  the  Province,  and  others,  to  Thomas  AVhately,  Esq.,  member  of  Parlia- 
ment, and  Private  Secretary  to  Lord  Granville.  These  letters  he  handed  to 
Dr.  Franklin,  and  sailed  next  day  for  Holland.  Dr.  Franklin  transmitted 
these  letters  to  his  friends  in  Boston,  and  they  were  published.  The  indig- 
nation of  the  people  knew  no  bounds.  The  House  of  Representatives,  in  a 
remonstrance  to  the  King,  charged  the  Governor  with  perfidy  and  falsehood, 
and  declared  him  an  enemy  to  the  colonies.* 

Dr.  Williamson  made  a  tour  through  Holland  and  the  low  countries,  when 
the  news  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  reached  him,  and  he  determined 
to  return  home. 

He  sailed  for  the  United  States  in  December,  from  Nantz.  When  off  the 
Capes  of  Delaware,  the  vessel  was  attacked  and  captured  by  a  British  man- 
of-war;  but  he  escaped  in  an  open  boat,  with  important  dispatches  to  our 
Government. 

He  undertook  a  journey  next  year  to  Charleston,  with  a  younger  brother, 
in  a  mercantile  speculation.  At  Charleston,  he  purchased  a  vessel,  and 
loaded  her  for  Baltimore.  General  Howe  at  this  time  entered  the  Chesa- 
peake Bay;  to  avoid  capture.  Dr.  Williamson  ordered  his  vessel  to  Edenton. 
That  circumstance  carried  him  to  Edenton,  and  he  was  induced  to  remain; 
a  position  favorable  to  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  was  also  con- 
cerned with  his  brother  in  his  mercantile  operations  in  the  West  India  trade. 

In  the  winter,  1779,  when  the  British  had  possession  of  Charleston,  the 
State  of  North  Carolina  ordered  a  draft  of  five  thousand  men,  under  command 
of  Governor  Caswell.  Governor  Caswell  appointed  Dr.  Williamson  at  the  head 
of  the  medical  staff,  and  was  with  the  army  at  the  fatal  battle  of  Camden, 
August,  1780.  After  the  battle,  he  requested  a  flag  of  truce,  under  which  he 
went  to  his  unfortunate  countrymen,  wounded  and  prisoners,  and  remained 
two  months,  dressing  their  wounds,  clothing  them  out  of  his  own  pocket. 
This  act  was  highly  philanthropic,  and  deservedly  places  the  character  of 
Dr.  Williamson  in  high  esteem  as  a  patriot  and  Christian. 

He  returned  to  Edenton,  and  in  1782,  represented  Edenton  in  the  House 
of  Commons.  In  1784,  he  was  sent  to  Congress  for  three  years,  and  1787, 
appointed  a  delegate  to  the  Convention  which  formed  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  17th  September,  1787. 

The  Constitution  was  unpopular  in  North  Carolina,  and  for  his  devoted 
advocacy  to  its  forms,  Dr.  Williamson  lost  much  of  his  popularity.  But  this 
was  but  momentary,  for  he  represented  the  Edenton  District  in  Congress,  in 

*  Memoirs  of  the  Life  and  Writings  of  Franklin.    Quarto,  page  183,  Lend,  ed.,  1818. 


CHOWAN  COUNTY.  93 

1790,  '91  and  '92.  He  had  married  in  New  York,  in  1789,  Maria,  daughter  of 
Hon.  Charles  Ward  Apthrope. 

By  this  union  he  had  two  sons,  his  wife  dying  when  the  youngest  was  but 
a  few  days  old. 

This  severe  affliction  caused  Dr.  Williamson  to  retire  from  public  employ- 
ment, and  devote  himself  to  literary  pursuits,  at  the  time  residing  in  New 
York. 

In  1811,  he  published  "Observations  on  Climate  in  the  different  parts  of 
America,  compared  with  the  Climate  in  corresponding  parts  of  the  other 
continent,"  in  1  vol.  8vo. 

In  1812,  appeared  his  "  History  of  North  Carolina,"  in  2  vols.  Svo. 

In  1814,  he  was  associated  with  De  Witt  Clinton  in  forming  the  Literary 
and  Philosophical  Society  of  New  York. 

His  health,  never  strong,  had  been  wonderfully  preserved  by  the  uniform 
temperance  and  regularity  of  his  habits. 

He  died  very  suddenly,  on  the  22d  of  May,  1819,  while  taking  his  usual 
evening  ride  with  his  niece. 

No  man  ever  lived  in  our  State,  whose  character  for  justice  and  integrity 
stood  higher.  His  aims  were  for  his  country  and  her  honor.  His  labors  as 
a  member  of  Congress,  were  more  in  the  closet  and  committee-room,  than  in 
debate,  and  yet  his  elocution  was  striking  and  effective.  Mr.  Jefferson  said 
of  him  that  "  He  was  a  very  useful  member,  acute  mind,  and  of  a  high  de- 
gree of  erudition." 

Hon.  William  Cummixg  was  a  lawyer  in  Chowan  in  olden  times.  He 
represented  the  State  in  the  Continental  Congress,  in  1784,  and  the  town 
of  Edenton,  in  1788,  in  the  House  of  Commons. 

James  Iredell,  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United 
States  in  1790,  was  from  Chowan  County. 

He  was  a  native  of  England,  born  at  Lewes,  in  Sussex  County,  on  the  5th 
October,  1750.  He  emigrated  to  North  Carolina  when  only  17  years  old. 
He  studied  law  with  Gov.  Samuel  Johnston,  whose  sister  Hannah  he  married 
in  July,  1773.  He  held,  under  his  relative,  Henry  Eustace  McCullock  (who 
was,  under  the  crown,  Collector  of  the  port  of  Edenton),  the  office  of  Deputy 
Collector,  and  was  afterwards  appointed  Collector,  which  valuable  office  he 
held  until  the  Revolution.  He  was  removed  in  consequence  of  his  adherence 
to  the  principles  of  freedom  and  interests  of  America.  He  was  a  gentleman 
of  fine  personal  appearance,  great  intelligence,  profound  acquirements,  and 
unspotted  integrity. 

He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1776.  By  his  talents  and  industry  he  soon 
rose  to  position  and  influence.  He  was  elected  by  tbe  General  Assembly 
Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  on  the  20th  December,  1777,  which  he  resigned 
in  August,  1778. 

He  (in  1778)  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  at  llillsboro',  to  delibe- 
rate upon  the  Federal  Constitution,  and  was  its  able  exponent  and  eloquent 
defender. 

He  was  afterwards  (in  November,  1779)  appointed  Attorney-General,  and 
resigned  soon  afterwards. 

In  February,  1790,  without  his  knowledge,  he  was  appointed  by  General 
Washington  one  of  the  Associate  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
United  States. 

Chief  Justice  Marshall,  in  a  letter  to  Judge  Murphy  (Oct.  6th,  1827),  ex- 
pressed his  opinion  as  to  the  merits  of  Judge  Iredell  as  a  man  of  talents  and 
professional  worth. 

In  the  presidential  election  of  1797  he  received  three  electoral  votes  for 
■  President  of  the  United  States, 

The  State  has  preserved  his  memory  in  the  patriotic  county  named  after  him 
(in  1788),  which  was  done  on  motion  of  General  John  Steele,  of  Rowan  County. 

Full  of  years  and  full  of  honors,  he  died  20th  October,  1799,  leaving  two 
daughters  and  one  son, 


94  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

James  Iredell,  who  has  been  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Commons,  Governor  of  the  State,  and  Senator  in  Congress. 

lie  was  born  in  Chowan  County  in  1788.  His  first  appearance  in  public 
life  was  in  1816,  as  member  of  the  House  of  Commons.  In  1817  and  1818 
he  was  elected  Speaker. 

In  the  war  of  1812  he  commanded  a  company  of  volunteers,  and  marched 
to  Norfolk,  Va.,  to  repel  the  invasions  of  the  British.  In  this  company,  the 
late  Gavin  Hogg,  Esq.,  of  Raleigh,  was  a  lieutenant. 

In  March,  1819,  he  was  appointed  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  which  he 
resigned  in  the  May  following. 

He  was  elected  Governor  of  the  State  December,  1S27,  and  Senator  in 
Congress  in  1828,  in  which  he  served  until  1831.  He  now  resides  at  Raleigh, 
where  he  is  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  is  Reporter  of  the 
Decisions  of  the  Supreme  Court. 

He  married  a  daughter  of  the  late  Samuel  Treadwell,  late  Collector  of 
the  port  of  Edenton,  by  whom  he  has  a  large  and  interesting  family ;  one  of 
whom  married  Cadwallader  Jones,  Jr.,  Esq.,  of  Hillsboro' ;  another  to 
Grifiiths  J.  McRee,  of  Wilmington,  and  another  to  Dr.  Charles  E.  Johnson, 
of  Raleigh. 

Stephen  Cabarrus  was  also  a  resident  of  Chowan.  He  was  a  native  of 
France,  and  a  man  of  active  mind,  generous  feelings,  and  liberal  sentiments. 
In  1784  he  entered  politics,  and  was  repeatedly  elected  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Commons  from  Edenton,  and  often  Speaker  of  the  House.  The 
County  of  Cabarrus  preserves  his  name,  and  of  his  early  life,  character,  and 
services  more  will  be  presented  at  some  future  period. 

Thomas  Jones,  of  Chowan,  in  early  days,  was  a  devoted  patriot  and  tried 
republican.  Between  him,  Willie  Jones,  Richard  Caswell,  and  Thomas 
Burke  rests  the  honor  of  having  written  the  Constitution  of  North  Carolina. 

We  regret  that  more  is  not  known  of  his  life,  character,  services,  and 
death. 

Joseph  Hewes,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  of 
4th  July,  1776,  was  a  resident  of  Chowan.  He  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in 
1735,  and  was  a  merchant  by  profession.  He  represented  this  county  in  the 
Assembly  in  1774  and  1775.  In  1774  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress,  and  served  until  1777,  and  was  chosen  again  to  the  same 
place  in  1779-80.  In  April,  1776,  by  the  Provincial  Congress  at  Halifax,  he 
was  appointed  (with  AVm.  Hooper  and  John  Penn)  delegate  to  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  at  Philadelphia.  He  died  while  attending  to  his  duties  as 
a  member  of  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  and  was  buried  in  Christ  Church  in 
that  city.  His  funeral,  attended  by  the  President,  Congress,  the  French 
minister,  and  other  persona  of  distinction,  was  conducted  with  much  pomp. 
He  left  a  large  fortune,  but  no  children  to  inherit  it.  Mr.  Hewes  was  in 
person  prepossessing,  his  countenance  expressive  of  great  amenity  of  temper. 
His  reputation  for  probity  and  honor  was  unspotted.* 

It  has  been  before  stated  that  it  is  not  very  flattering  to  our  State  pride 
that  not  one  of  the  signers  to  our  national  Declaration  of  Independence  from 
North  Carolina  was  a  native  of  our  State.  Wm.  Hooper  was  a  Boston  man, 
Joseph  Hewes  was  a  New  Jersey  man,  and  John  Penn  was  a  Virginian. 

Hon.  Charles  Johnson  was  often  a  member  of  the  Senate,  and  a  member 
of  Congress  from  this  district  in  1801.  He  lived  on  Chowan  River,  and  was 
father  of  Charles  E.  Johnson,  and  grandfather  of  Dr.  Charles  Johnson,  now 
of  Raleigh. 

Hon.  Samuel  T.  Sawyer,  now  of  Norfolk,  Va.,  is  a  native  of  Chowan. 

*  Sanderson's  Bioarraphy  of  the  Signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  vol.  v.  p. 
147.    Philadelphia,  1828. 


CHOWAN  COUNTY. 


95 


His  father,  Dr.  Matthias  B.  Sawyer,  was  distinguished  for  his  talents  and 
learning.  His  uncle,  Hon.  Lemuel  Sawyer,  represented  this  district  for 
many  years.  Maj.  Sawyer  was  by  education  a  lawyer.  He  entered  public 
life  in  1829  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  served  until  1832. 
In  1837  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  served  one  Congress.  In  18-10  he 
was  defeated  by  Hon.  Kenneth  Kayner.  He  has  since  settled  in  Norfolk, 
where  he  is  pursuing  his  profession,  and  the  able  editor  of  a  paper  (Argus). 

Col.  Robert  T.  Paine  is  a  native  of  Chowan  ;  born  18th  February,  1812. 
Edueatedat  Trinity  College,  Connecticut.  By  profession  a  lawyer.  Entered 
public  life  in  1888  as  member  of  the  House  of  Commons.  He  was  appoint- 
ed by  Governor  Graham  Colonel  of  the  North  Carolina  Regiment,  in  the 
war  with  Mexico,  with  John  A.  Fagg,  of  Buncombe,  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  and 
M.  S.  Stokes,  of  Wilkes,  as  Major. 

After  his  return  from  Mexico  he  was  appointed  by  the  President  (with 
Hon.  George  Evans  and  another)  Commissioner,  to  settle  the  claims  under  the 
Mexican  treaty. 

On  the  21st  September,  1846,  Charles  Hoskixs,  of  this  county,  in  the  33d 
year  of  his  age,  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Monterey.  He  was  a  native  of 
Edenton,  graduated  at  the  Military  Academy  in  1836,  and  joined  his  com- 
pany in  the  4th  regiment  of  infantry  in  the  Cherokee  nation.  In  1839  he 
went  with  his  regiment  to  Fort  Gibson,  Arkansas. 

In  1845  he  accompanied  his  regiment  to  Corpus  Christi,  and  did  good  ser- 
vice at  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  and  fell  at  Monterey. 

On  the  2d  January,  1847,  the  General  Assembly  adopted  resolutions  ex- 
pressive of  their  sincere  respect  for  his  character,  and  their  sympathy  for  his 
early  fate. 

Hon.  Augustus  Moore,  late  a  judge  of  our  Superior  Court,  was  a  resident 
of  Edenton.  He  was  graduated  at  the  University  in  1824,  read  law  with 
Charles  R.  Kinney,  in  Elizabeth  City,  and  practiced  with  great  success.  He 
was  appointed  Judge  in  1848,  but  he  resigned  the  same  year,  and  died  very 
suddenly  in  April  1851. 

EDENTON. 


LIST  OF  MEMBERS  TO  THE  HOUSE  OF  COMMONS. 


Years.         House  of  Commons. 

1774.  Joseph  Hewes, 

1775.  Joseph  Hewes, 

1776.  Joseph  Hewes, 

1777.  John  Green, 

1778.  Joseph  Hewes, 

1779.  Joseph  Hewes, 

1780.  Robert  Smith, 

1781.  Robert  Smith, 

1782.  Hugh  Williamson, 

1783.  William  Cumming, 

1784.  Stephen  Cabarrus, 

1785.  Stephen  Cabarrus, 

1786.  Stephen  Cabarrus, 

1787.  Stephen  Cabarrus, 

1788.  William  Cumming, 

1790.  John  Hamilton, 

1791.  John  Hamilton, 

1792.  John  Hamilton, 

1793.  William  Cumming, 

1794.  Robert  Hardy, 

1795.  Stephen  Cabarrus, 

1796.  Thomas  Johnson, 


Years.         House  of  Commons. 

1797.  Thomas  Johnson, 

1798.  James  Greenbury, 

1799.  John  Blount, 

1800.  William  Slade, 

1801.  Josiah  Collins, 

1802.  Nathaniel  Allen, 

1803.  Jos.  B.  Littlejohn, 

1804.  Thomas  Johnson, 

1805.  Allen  Gilchrist, 

1806.  William  Slade, 

1807.  Jos.  B.  Skinner, 

1808.  Wm.  A.  Littlejohn, 

1809.  John  Beasley, 

1810.  Mathias  E.  Sawyer, 

1811.  Mathias  E.  Sawyer, 

1812.  Henry  Flury, 

1813.  James  Iredell, 

1814.  Jos.  B.  Skinner, 

1815.  Jos.  B.  Skinner, 

1816.  James  Iredell, 

1817.  James  Iredell, 

1818.  James  Iredell, 


96 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.        House  of  Commons. 

1819.  James  Iredell, 

1820.  James  Iredell, 

1821.  George  Blair,  Jr. 

1822.  George  Blair,  Jr. 

1823.  James  Iredell, 

1824.  James  Iredell, 

1825.  James  Iredell, 
182G.  James  Iredell, 
1827.  James  Iredell, 


Years.        House  of  Commons. 

1828.  .James  Bozman, 

1829.  Samuel  T.  Sawyer, 

1830.  Samuel  T.  Sawyer, 

1831.  Samuel  T.  Sawyer, 

1832.  Samuel  T.  Sawyer, 

1833.  J.  Malachi  Haughton, 

1834.  Frederick  Noscum, 

1835.  Hugh  W.  Collins. 


Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Chowan  County,  from 
the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  to  1850-51. 


Years. 

1777. 

1778. 

1779. 

1780. 

1781. 

1782. 

1783. 

1784. 

1785. 

1786. 

1787. 

1788. 

1790. 

1791. 

1792. 

1793. 

1794. 

1795. 

1706. 

1797. 

1798. 

1799. 

1800. 

1801. 

1802. 

1803. 

1804. 

1805. 

1806. 

1807. 

1808. 

1809. 

1810. 

1811. 

1812. 

1813. 

1814. 

1815. 

1816. 

1817. 

1818. 

1819. 

1820. 

1821. 

1822. 


Senate. 

Luke  Sumner, 
Luke  Sumner, 
Luke  Sumner, 
Luke  Sumner, 
Charles  Johnson, 
Charles  .Johnson, 
Charles  .Johnson, 
Charles  .Johnson, 
Michael  Payne, 
Jacob  Jordan, 
Jacob  Jordan, 
Charles  Johnson, 
Charles  .Johnson, 
Charles  Johnson, 
Charles  -Johnson, 
Lemuel  Creecy, 
Lemuel  Creecy, 
Lemuel  Creecy, 
Lemuel  Creecy, 
Lemuel  Creecy, 
Lemuel  Creecy, 
Frederick  Luton, 
Richard  Benbury, 
John  Bond,. 
John  Bond, 
John  Bond, 
John  Bond, 
Thomas  Brownrigg, 
Thomas  Brownrigg, 
Thomas  Brownrigg, 
Thomas  Brownrigg, 
Fi'ederick  Norcum, 
Richard  Iloskins, 
Richard  Iloskins, 
Richard  Iloskins, 
Thomas  Coffield, 
Richard  Iloskins, 
Richard  Iloskins, 
Henry  Skinner, 
Charles  E.  .Johnson, 
Rich'd  T.  Brownrigg, 
Charles  E.  Johnson, 
Charles  E.  -Johnson, 
Richard  Iloskins, 
Rich'd  T.  Brownrigg, 


House  of  Commons. 

Thomas  Benbury,  Jacob  Hunter. 
Wm.  Boyd,  Thomas  Benbury. 
Wm.  Boyd,  Thomas  Benbury. 
Wm.  Boyd,  Thomas  Benbury. 
Michael  Payne,  Thomas  Benbury. 
Michael  Payne,  Thomas  Benbury. 
Stephen  Chambers,  Richard  Benbury. 
Clement  Hall,  Michael  Payne. 
Hugh  Williamson,  Clement  Hall. 
Josiah  Copeland,  Lemuel  Creecy. 
Josiah  Copeland,  Lemuel  Creecy. 
Stephen  Cabarrus,  Lemuel  Creecy. 
Stephen  Cabarrus,  Lemuel  Creecy. 
Stephen  Cabarrus,  Richard  Benbury. 
Stephen  Cabarrus,  Lemuel  Creecy. 
Stephen  Cabarrus,  Benjamin  Coffield. 
Benjamin  Coffield,  Richard  Benbury. 
Benjamin  Coffield,  Richard  Benbury. 
Richard  Benbury,  Benjamin  Coffield. 
Richard  Benbury,  Benjamin  Coffield. 
Richard  Benbury,  Shadenck  Felton. 
John  B.  Bennett,  Stephen  Cabarrus. 
Stephen  Cabarrus,  Reuben  Small. 
Stephen  Cabarrus,  Reuben  Small. 
Stephen  Cabarrus,  Reuben  Small. 
Stephen  Cabarrus,  Samuel  McGuire. 
Stephen  Cabarrus,  Reuben  Small. 
Stephen  Cabarrus,  Benjamin  Coffield. 
Samuel  McGuire,  Baker  Iloskins. 
Frederick  Norcum,  Baker  Iloskins. 
Samuel  McGuire,  Baker  Iloskins. 
Samuel  McGuire,  Miles  Welch. 
Samuel  McGuire,  Micajah  Bunch. 
Thomas  Coffield,  Samuel  McGuire. 
Micajah  Bunch,  Thomas  Coffield. 
John  Goodwin,  Henry  Skinner. 
John  Goodwin,  Henry  Skinner. 
Wm.  Saunders,  Henry  Skinner. 
Richard  T.  Brownrigg, -Jeremiah  Mixson. 
Jeremiah  Mixson,  -James  Skinner. 
Samuel  McGuire,  Samuel  Gregory. 
James  Skinner,  Samuel  Gregory. 
James  Skinner,  Samuel  Gregory. 
James  Skinner,  Samuel  Gregory. 
Henry  Elliott,  James  Skinner. 


CLEAVELAND  COUNTY. 


9T 


Years.  Senate. 

182.3.  William  Bullock, 

1824.  William  Bullock, 

1825.  William  Bullock, 

1826.  William  Bullock, 

1827.  William  Walton, 

1828.  AVilliam  AValton, 

1829.  William  Walton, 

1830.  AVilliam  Walton, 

1831.  Rich'd  T.  Brownrigg, 

1832.  William  Bullock, 

1833.  Jos.  B.  Skinner, 

1834.  Samuel  T.  Sawyer, 

1835.  AVilliam  Bullock, 

1836.  William  W.  Cowper, 
1838.  Rufus  R.  Speed, 
1840.  Rufus  R.  Speed, 
1842.  Whitmel  J.  Stallings, 
1844.  Whitmel  J.  Stallings, 
1846.  Whitmel  J.  Stallings, 
1848.  Henry  WiUey. 
1850.  Henry  Willey, 


House  of  Commons. 
Joshua  Mewborn,  Wm.  Walton. 
Wm.  Walton,  J.  N.  Iloskius. 
Wm.  Walton,  Joshua  Mewborn. 
Josiah  McKiel,  William  Jackson. 
William  Beyrum,  Wm.  Jackson. 
Josiah  McKiel,  Wm.  Beyrum. 
Wm.  Beyrum,  George  Blair. 
Wm.  Jackson,  George  Blair. 
Josiah  H.  Skinner,  Wm.  Jackson. 
Josiah  n.  Skinner,  Baker  F.  Welch. 
Baker  F.  AYelch,  Chas.  W.  Nixon. 
Baker  F.  Welch,  Wm.  Beyrum. 
Wm.  Beyrum,  Thomas  S.  Hoskins. 
Thomas  S.  Hoskins. 
Robert  T.  Paine. 
Robert  T.  Paine. 
Wm.  R.  Skinner. 
Robert  T.  Paine. 
Robert  T.  Paine. 
Robert  T.  Paine. 
Wm.  C.  Bond. 


CHAPTER    XX. 


CLEAVELAND  COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation— Origin  of  name,  situation  and  boundaries— Capital — Popu- 
lation and  products— Revolutionary  history— Original  documents  relative 
to  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  fought  Oct.  7,  1780,  in  which  the  British 
and  Tories  were  routed,  and  their  commander.  Colonel  Patrick  Ferguson, 
was  killed,  and  others — List  of  members. 

Cleaveland  County  was  formed  in  1841,  out  of  Rutherford  and 
Lincoln  Counties,  and  derives  its  name  from  Colonel  Benjamin 
Cleaveland,  of  Wilkes  County,  who  with  a  detachment  of  men  from 
Wilkes  and  Surry  under  his  and  the  command  of  Major  Joseph  Win- 
ston, engaged  in  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain.  For  life,  character, 
and  services  of  Colonel  Cleaveland,  see  the  chapters  on  Wilkes  and 
Watauga  (chapters  78,  80). 

It  is  situated  in  the  south-western  part  of  the  State,  and  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Burke  County,  on  the  east  by  Lincoln  and  Gaston, 
on  the  south  by  the  South  Carolina  line,  and  on  the  west  by  Ruther- 
ford and  McDoAvell  Counties. 

Its  capital  is  Shelby,  which  town  preserves  the  name  of  Isaac 
Shelby,  a  distinguished  revolutionary  officer,  whose  biography  is 
here  recorded.  Its  distance  from  Raleigh  is  one  hundred  and  ninety 
miles,  and  located  on  the  main  road  from  Rutherford  to  Salisbm-y ; 
through  which  the  stage  passes  tri-weekly. 


98  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Near  Shelby  is  a  celebrated  mineral  spring  (Wilson's),  justly  cele- 
brated for  its  excellent  sulphur  water ;  and  is  jnuch  resorted  to  in 
the  summer  by  invalids  and  the  votaries  of  pleasure. 

Its  climate  is  healthful,  soil  luxuriant,  and  its  inhabitants  indus- 
trious. 

Its  population  is  8,592  whites  ;  57  free  colored  ;  1,747  slaves;  9,697  repre- 
sentative population. 

Although  a  new  county,  its  revolutionary  history  is  full  of  glow- 
inor  incidents.  It  was  on  the  heights  of  King's  Mountain,  which  is 
partly  in  this  county,  that  on  the  7th  Oct.,  1780,  the  brave  moun- 
taineers of  this  region  attacked  the  British  troops  under  Colonel 
Ferguson,  routed  them  and  slew  him. 

This  glorious  achievement  occurred  at  a  most  gloomy  period  of 
the  Revolution.  The  tide  of  war  had  flown  disastrously  to  American 
liberty.  The  battle  of  Camden  had  prostrated  all  the  hopes  of  the 
patriots,  and  encouraged  the  enemies  of  America.  But  this  battle 
turned  the  tide  in  the  South ;  as  the  victory  of  Trenton  under 
Washington,  did  at  the  North. 

In  a  letter  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  dated  in  1822,  a  copy  of  which  is  before  us, 
in  relation  to  this  victory,  he  says,  "I  remember  well  the  deep  and  grateful 
impression  made  on  the  mind  of  every  one,  by  that  ever  memorable  victory. 
It  was  the  joyful  enunciation  of  that  turn  in  the  tide  of  success,  that  termi- 
nated the  revolutionary  war  with  seal  of  our  independence." 

It  was  achieved  by  raw,  undisciplined  men,  who  never  before  were 
in  battle,  without  any  government  officers,  or  any  authority  from 
the  government  under  which  they  lived  and  for  which  they  fought, 
without  pay,  rations,  or  ammunition,  reward,  or  the  hope  of  reward. 
The  spirit  that  animated"  them  was  the  patriot  spirit  that  feels 
"how  sweet  it  is  to  die  for  one's  country." 

The  minute  occurrences  of  this  battle  have  been  detailed  in  the 
biography  of  General  McDowell,  of  Burke  County,  to  which  the 
reader  is  referred.  The  documents  now  for  the  first  time  collected 
and  published,  afford  the  most  satisfactory  and  complete  proofs  of 
this  interesting  and  important  event. 

The  life  and  character  of  Isaac  Shelby,  that  is  preserved  in  the  name  of  the 
capital  of  this  county,  is  worthy  the  attention  of  every  lover  of  his  country. 

His  father.  General  Evan  Shelby,  was  a  Welchman  by  birth,  and  came  to 
this  country  when  a  small  lad.  He  settled  in  Maryland  about  a  century  ago. 
He  was  distinguished  for  his  indomitable  courage,  iron  constitution,  and  clear 
intellect.  He  fought  as  a  Captain  of  Rangers  under  Braddock;  and  distin- 
guished himself  in  the  attack  under  General  Forbes  in  1758,  in  which  he  led 
the  advance,  and  took  from  the  French  Fort  Du  Quesne, 

In  1772  he  removed  to  the  west,  and  in  1774,  commanded  a  company  under 
Lewis  and  Dunmore,  against  the  Indians,  on  the  Scioto  Eiver.  He  was  in 
the  sanguinary  battle  of  Kenhawa,  Oct.  10th,  1774,  when  Colonels  Lewis, 
Fleming,  and  Field  were  killed,  and  he  was  left  the  commanding  officer. 

In  1779,  he  led  a  strong  force  against  the  Chicamauga  Indians,  on  the  Ten- 
nessee River;  and  was  for  his  services  and  gallantry  appointed  a  Brigadier- 
General  by  the  State  of  Virginia;  the  first  officer  of  that  grade  ever  appointed 
on  the  western  waters. 


CLEAVELAND  COUNTY.  99 

Such  -was  the  ancestor  of  Isaac  Shelby.  He  -was  horn  in  Maryland,  Dec. 
11th,  1750.  Born  to  the  use  of  arms,  blessed  with  afirm  and  Herculean  frame, 
capable  of  great  fatigue,  his  education  was  such  as  fitted  him  for  the  scenes 
in  which  he  was  by  Providence  destined  to  become  so  prominent  an  actor. 
His  first  essay  in  arms  was  as  a  Lieutenant,  in  a  company  commanded  by  hia 
father,  in  the  celebrated  battle  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kenhawa,  on  October  lOth, 
1774,  on  the  Ohio  River,  the  most  severe  and  sanguinary  conflict  ever  main- 
tained with  the  north-western  Indians.  The  action  was  from  sunrise  to  sun- 
set, with  varied  success.  Night  closed  the  conflict;  under  its  cover  the  cele- 
brated chief.  Cornstalk,  who  commanded  the  Indians,  abandoned  the  ground. 

He  was  employed, as  surveyor  under  Judge  Henderson's  company,  and  re- 
sided in  the  then  wilderness  of  "that  dark  and  bloody  ground,"  Kentucky, 
amid  dangers,  privations,  and  difiBculties,  for  nearly  a  year;  when  from  expo- 
sure, without  bread  or  salt,  his  health  gave  way,  and  he  returned  home. 

During  his  absence,  in  July,  1776,  he  had  been  appointed  Captain  of  a 
minute  company,  by  the  Committee  of  Safety  in  Virginia. 

In  1777,  Patrick  Henry,  then  Governor  of  Virginia,  appointed  him  Commis- 
sary of  Supplies  for  an  extensive  body  of  troops  to  guard  the  frontiers  and 
the  commissioners,  who  were  appointed  to  form  a  treaty  at  the  Long  Island 
of  the  Holston  River,  with  the  Cherokees. 

He  was,  in  1778,  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Legislature  from  Washington 
County,  and  was  appointed  by  Thomas  JetFerson,  then  Governor  of  Virginia, 
a  Major  in  the  escort  of  guards  to  the  Commissioners,  for  extending  the  line 
between  Virginia  and  North  Carolina. 

By  that  line  his  residence  was  found  to  be  in  North  Carolina,  and  he  was  by 
Richard  Caswell,  then  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  appointed  Colonel  of  Sul- 
livan County. 

In  the  summer  of  1780.  he  was  engaged  in  Kentucky,  surveying,  locating, 
and  securing  the  lands  which  he  had  five  years  previously  marked  out,  pre- 
pared and  improved ;  when  the  disastrous  surrender  of  Charleston,  and  the 
loss  of  our  army  roused  his  daring  spirit  to  arms.  He  returned  home,  deter- 
mined to  enter  the  service  of  his  bleeding  country,  and  never  to  leave  it,  until 
her  liberty  and  independence  were  secured.  On  his  arrival  at  Sullivan,  he 
found  a  requisition  from  Gen.  Charles  McDowell,  to  furnish  all  the  aid  in  his 
power,  to  check  the  enemy,  who  had  conquered  Georgia  and  South  Carolina, 
and  who,  flushed  with  success,  had  entered  North  Carolina.  He  imme- 
diately called  on  the  militia  of  Sullivan,  and  in  a  few  days  he  crossed  the 
Alleghany,  at  the  head  of  three  hundred  mounted  riflemen.  He  reported  to 
General  5lcDowell  near  Cherokee  Ford,  on  Broad  River,  and  was  by  him 
detached  with  Cols.  Sevier  and  Clarke  to  surprise  and  take  a  fort  held  by 
Captain  Patrick  Moore,  a  distinguished  Tory,  on  the  waters  of  Pacolet.  This 
was  accomplished  without  loss  of  time,  or  men.  The  enemy  surrendered  as 
prisoners  of  war.  Capt.  Moore,  one  British  Sergeant-Major,  ninety-three  Tories, 
two  hundred  and  fifty  stand  of  arms  and  ammunition  (so  needed  at  this  crisis), 
were  the  fruits  of  this  victory. 

Ferguson,  an  ofiicer  of  great  bravery  and  enterprise,  a  Major  in  the  British 
army  and  a  Brigadier-General  of  militiu,  was  detached  by  Lord  Cornwallis 
with  a  strong  force  to  overcome  the  western  portion  of  this  State,  and  win 
them  to  the  support  of  the  Crown.  He  make  several  attempts  to  surprise 
Shelby,  but  was  baffled  by  his  vigilance  and  activity.  On  the  1st  of  August 
1780,  at  Cedar  Spring,  the  advance  of  the  British  force  came  up  and  attacked 
vShelby.  The  grounds  had  been  chosen  by  Shelby,  and  his  adventurous  spirit 
did  not  avoid  battle.  A  sharp  conflict  ensued,  which  lasted  a  half  an  hour, 
when  the  whole  force  of  Ferguson  advanced.  Shelby  retreated,  carrying  from 
the  field  fifty  prisoners,  and  tAvo  British  officers.  The  enemy  made  a  rapid 
pursuit,  but  Shelby  by  availing  himself  of  every  advantageous  ground,  gave 
them  such  checks,  that  the  pursuit  was  abandoned,  and  the  prisoners  secured. 
He  joined  Gen.  McDowell,  with  only  a  loss  of  ten  or  twelve  killed  and 
wounded. 

Under  orders  of  Gen.  McDowell,  he  again  attacked,  with  700  mounted  men 


100    /  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

on  the  19th  of  August  1780,  a  lai'ge  body  of  Tories,  at  Musgrove^s  mill  on  the 
south  side  of  Enoree.  Ferguson  with  his  whole  force  lay  between.  On  the 
night  of  the  18th  of  August,  Colonel  Shelby,  with  Colonels  Clarke,  and  Wil- 
liams, of  South  Carolina,  left  Smith's  Ford  on  Broad  River,  took  a  cii'cuitous 
route  through  the  woods,  to  avoid  Ferguson,  and  at  dawn  of  day  (after  riding 
about  40  miles),  attacked  the  patrol  of  the  Tories,  about  half  a  mile  from  their 
camp.  A  skirmish  ensued,  and  several  were  killed ;  the  patrol  was  driven 
in.  At  this  moment,  a  countryman  who  lived  near,  informed  Shelby  that 
the  enemy  had  been  the  night  before  reinforced  by  a  strong  body  of  GOO  regu- 
lars, under  Col.  Innes  (Queen's  American  Regiment  from  New  York).  This 
was  unexpected  news.  Fatigued  as  were  their  horses,  after  the  hard  ride  all 
night,  retreat  was  impracticable  ;  to  attack  the  enemy  of  such  superior  force, 
•well  armed  and  in  full  discipline,  would  have  been  rashness  and  certain 
defeat. 

"  Destruction  was  before  them,  and  death  was  behind."  With  a  courage 
that  never  quailed,  an  expedient  promptness  never  at  fault,  the  talents  of 
Shelby  met  this  trying  emergency.  He  instantly  ordered  the  whole  force, 
except  Capt.  Inmau,  to  form  a  breastwork  of  old  logs  and  brush,  to  make  as 
brave  a  defence  as  circumstances  admitted,  and  to  sell  their  lives  as  dearly 
as  possible.  Captain  Inman,  with  twenty-five  men,  was  sent  out  to  meet  the 
enemy,  as  soon  as  he  crossed  the  river  (Enoree).  The  sounds  of  the  drums 
of  the  infantry  and  bugles  of  the  cavalry,  soon  announced  to  this  devoted 
band,  the  approach  of  the  enemy  in  strong  force.  Inman's  orders  were  to 
fire  upon  them  and  retreat.  The  "British  and  Tories,  confident  of  success,  made 
a  furious  onset,  which  Capt.  Inman  was  unable  to  withstand,  and  therefore 
retreated.  Thinking  that  he  had  forced  the  whole  of  our  party,  the  enemy 
rushed  forward  without  order  and  in  great  confusion  ;  the  American  riflemen 
■with  sure  and  steady  aim,  opened  a  destructive  and  deadly  fire,  which  was  kept 
up  sharply  for  an  hour,  by  which  Colonel  Innes  was  wounded  ;  all  the  British 
of&cers  except  a  subaltern,  were  killed  or  wounded;  the  Tory  Captain  Hawsey 
was  shot  down.  The  British  retreated,  losing  sixty-three  men  killed,  and  one 
hundred  and  sixty  prisoners.  The  American  loss  was  only  four  killed  and 
nine  wounded.  The  brave  Capt.  Inman Jn  the  pursuit,  drove  the  enemy  over 
the  river  and  fell  fighting  hand  to  hand. 

Excited  by  this  brilliant  and  unexpected  victory,  Shelby  prepared  to  attack 
the  British  post  at  Ninety-Six,  then  distant  thirty  miles,  when  an  express 
arrived  from  Gen.  McDowell,  with  a  letter  from  Governor  Caswell,  dated  on 
the  battle  ground  of  Camden,  informing  him  of  Gates'  defeat,  and  advising 
him  to  get  out  of  the  way.  Prompt  to  act,  Shelby  instantly  distributed  his 
prisoners  among  his  men,  so  as  to  make  one  to  every  three  men,  and  carry- 
ing them  alternately  on  horseback,  and  marching  all  night  and  all  next  day 
until  late  in  the  evening  without  halting  a  moment  for  refreshments.  This 
saved  the  troops  and  secured  the  prisoners,  for  the  next  day  a  strong  detach- 
ment from  Fei-guson  sallied  out  to  overtake  the  victors  ;  but  the  energy  and 
activity  of  Shelby  bafiied  their  intent.  Shelby,  after  seeing  his  party  safe 
over  the  mountains,  sent  the  prisoners  into  Virginia,  in  charge  of  Cols.  Clarke 
and  Williams,     lie  then  returned  home. 

The  brilliancy  of  this  aflfair  was  more  bright  by  the  dark  gloom  which  over- 
spread the  public  mind  from  the  disgraceful  and  disastrous  defeat  of  Gates 
at  Camden.  This  caused  Gen.  McDowell  to  disperse  his  corps,  and  at  this 
moment  there  was  no  appearance  of  a  corps  of  Americans  south  of  Virginia. 

This,  as  has  been  recorded,  was  a  "  dark  and  doleful  period"  to  the  south. 
Cornwallis  at  Charlotte  with  the  main  body  of  the  whole  British  forces,  Fer- 
guson with  a  strong  detachment  which  could  be  increased  to  twice  its  num- 
bers, at  Gilbert  town  in  Rutherford  County ;  the  whole  country  was  under 
the  influence  of  the  British :  the  hopes  of  the  patriot,  for  his  country  were 
dimmed,  and  man}'  took  protection  under  the  British  standard.  Lut  firm  as 
their  native  mouutaius,  the  brave  spirits  of  the  west  wei-e  undismayed.  If 
fur  a  moment  subdued,  they  were  not  conquered. 

Shelby  at  this  gloomy  moment  in  consultation  with  Col.  Charles  McDowell, 


IGO  men, 

350 

(( 

240 

(( 

240 

(C 

400 

(( 

1390 

<< 

CLEAVELAND  COUNTY.  ~  101 

proposed  to  Cols.  Sevier  and  Campbell,  to  raise  a  force  from  their  several  coun- 
ties and  attack  Ferguson. 

They  met  at  Watauga  on  25th  September,  1780,  and  marched  upon  Fergu- 
son.    Their  force  was  as  follows: — 

From  Burke  'and  Rutherford  Counties,  commanded  by  Charles 

McDowell  --.-... 

From  Wilkes  and  Surry  Counties,  under  Colonel  Benjamin  Cleave- 

land  and  Major  Joseph  Winston  .... 

From  Washington  County,  North  Carolina  (now  Tennessee),  under 

John  Sevier  --.--.. 
From  Sullivan  County,  North   Carolina,  now  Tennessee,  under 

Isaac  Shelby  ----.-. 
From  Washington,  Virginia,  under  Colonel  William  Campbell     - 


With  this  force  they  prepared  to  march. 

Ferguson  anticipating  their  attack  from  some  deserters,  left  Gilbert  town. 
In  the  meantime  he  dispatched  a  letter  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  at  Charlotte, 
soliciting  aid.  His  messenger  was  Abraham  Collins  (since  of  counterfeit 
memory),  and  was  received  too  late  to  be  of  any  service.  He  encamped  the 
first  night  at  the  Cowpens  (soon  to  become  immortal  for  the  success  of  our 
arms  over  Tarleton,  17th  January,  1781).  On  the  5th  October,  he  crossed 
Broad,  River  at  Deer  Ferry,  and  marched  sixteen  miles ;  on  6th  he  marched 
up  the  Ridge  Road,  until  he  came  to  a  right  hand  fork  across  King's  Creek, 
and  through  a  gap  towards  Yorkville,  about  fourteen  miles  ;  and  on  the  sum- 
mit of  King's  Mountain  he  encamped.  Here  he  declared  was  "a  place  that 
God  Almighty  could  not  drive  him  from." 

The  official  accounts  prove  the  results  of  this  battle  and  its  important 
advantages. 

It  completely  broke  down  the  Tory  influence  in  North  Carolina,  and  alarmed 
the  British  so  much  that  Lord  Cornwallis  retreated  from  his  position,  marched 
all  night,  and  retrograded  as  far  as  Winnsboro',  some  sixty  or  eighty  miles, 
where  he  remained  until  reinforced  by  General  Leslie,  with  troops  from  the 
north. 

Inspired  by  this  victory,  the  forces  of  North  Carolina  assembled  under  Ge- 
neral Davidson,  at  New  Providence,  near  the  South  Carolina  line.  General 
Smallwood,  with  Morgan's  light  corps  and  the  Maryland  line,  advanced  to 
the  same  point;  General  Gates,  with  the  remains  of  his  army,  as  well  as  the 
levies  from  Virginia  of  one  thousand  men  under  General  Stevens,  enabled 
General  Greene,  who  was  appointed  to  the  command  in  December,  1780,  to 
hold  Lord  Cornwallis  in  check. 

The  Legislature  of  North  Carolina  voted  their  thanks  to  Colonel  Shelby 
and  a  splendid  sword. 

In  1781,  Shelby  served  under  General  Marion,  an  officer  of  great  courage 
and  enterprise.  He  with  Colonel  Mayhem  were  ordered  to  take  a  British 
postal  Fairlawn,  near  Monk's  Corner,  under  the  command  of  General  Stuart. 
On  attacking  this  post  it  surrendered  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners. 
Immediately  after  this  the  whole  force  of  the  English  retreated  to  Charleston. 

Colonel  Shelby  obtained  leave  of  absence  from  Marion  to  attend  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  of  North  Carolina,  of  which  he  was  a  member  from  Sullivan 
county.  In  1782,  he  was  again  a  member,  and  was  appointed  a  commissioner 
to  settle  the  pre-emption  claims  upon  the  Cumberland,  and  lay  off  the  lands 
allotted  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  south  of  where  Nashville  now  stands.  lie 
performed  this  service  in  1782,  and  returned  to  Boonsboro'  in  the  April  fol- 
lowing, where  he  married  Susanna  Hart,  whose  father  was  one  of  the  partners 
of  Judge  Henderson.  Now  that  tlie  li);erties  of  his  country  were  established 
in  peace,  he  devoted  himself  to  his  farm,  on  the  first  pre-emption  and  settle- 
ment granted  in  Kentucky.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact,  that  at  his  death  he  was 
the  only  person  who  occupied  his  original  pre-emption. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  in  Kentucky  to  obtain  a  separation 
of  that  State  from  Virginia,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  in  April, 


102  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

1792,  that  formed  the  Constitution  of  that  State,  and  was  elected  the  first 
Governor  of  Kentucky. 

He  was  again  elected  in  1812,  a  stormy  period  of  our  history,  during  the 
second  war  with  England.  His  spirit  was  not  calmed  by  the  frosts  of  age  ; 
but  at  the  request  of  the  Legislature,  at  the  age  of  sixty-three,  he  headed  in 
person  four  thousand  troops,  and  marched  under  General  Harrison  in  1813 
to  Canada.  The  battle  of  the  Thames,  which  has  covered  with  glory  the 
name  of  R.  M.  Johnsox,  was  witnessed  by  Governor  Shelby. 

In  1817,  Mr.  Munroe  called  him  to  the  Department  of  War,  but  from  bis 
advanced  age  he  declined  this  honor. 

In  1818,  with  General  Andrew  Jackson,  he  was  selected  by  the  President 
to  form  a  treaty  with  the  Chickasaw  Indians,  by  which  they  ceded  their  lands 
west  of  the  Tennessee  River,  within  the  limits  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky. 

This  was  his  last  public  act.  In  February,  1820,  he  was  attacked  by  a 
paralytic  afi'ection.  His  mind  was,  however,  jinimpaired ;  but  on  the  18th  of 
July,  1826,  he  expired  from  a  stroke  of  apoplexy,  in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of 
his  age,  enjoying  the  love  and  respect  of  his  country,  blessed  with  every 
honor  it  could  bestow,  and  consoled  by  the  rich  hopes  of  a  joyful  immortality. 

Such  were  the  services  of  Isaac  Shelby.  AVorthy  is  he  to  have  his  name 
preserved  in  a  region  that  witnessed  his  patriotism  and  valor. 

In  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  Colonel  Williams,  of  South  Carolina, 
Major  Chronicle,  of  Lincoln  County,  and  Captain  John  Mattocks,  were  killed  ; 
Colonel  Hambrite,  wounded.  Our  loss  was,  as  stated,  twenty-eight  killed, 
and  sixty  wounded. 

The  next  day  a  court-martial  was  held,  and  about  twenty  Tories  hung. 

At  the  forks  of  the  branch  where  Major  Chronicle  and  Captain  Mattocks 
were  buried,  a  monument  is  erected.     On  it  is  the  following  inscription : — 

Sacred  to  the  Memory  of 

Major  William  Chronicle, 

Captain  John  Mattocks, 

William  Robb,  and 

John  Boyd, 

Who  wore  killed  in  this  place  on  the  7th  of  October,  1780, 

fighting  in  defence  of  America. 

On  the  west  side  of  said  monument : — 

Colonel  Ferguson, 

An  Officer  of  His  Britannic  Majesty, 

Was  defeated  and  killed 

At  this  place, 

On  7th  October,  1780. 

Patrick  Ferguson  was  no  ordinary  man.  He  was  a  finished  soldier,  and 
brave  as  a  lion. 

He  was  a  Scotchman  by  birth  ;  son  of  an  eminent  judge,  James  Ferguson, 
Lord  of  Sessions  and  Justiciary,  and  nephew  of  a  nobleman  of  great  literary 
talents,  Patrick  Murray  (Lord  Elibank),  deemed  by  Robertson,  Ferguson, 
Ilurae,  and  cotemporary  sages,  equal  to  the  best  authors  of  the  Scottish  Au- 
gustan age.  Patrick  Ferguson  sought  renown  in  a  diiFerent  career,  but  pos- 
sessed an  equally  vigorous  mind  and  brilliant  parts.  At  the  early  age  of 
eighteen,  he  entered  the  army  in  the  German  war,  and  was  distinguished  by 
his  cool  and  determined  courage.  He  early  displayed  an  inventive  genius, 
sound  judgment,  and  intrepid  heroism,  which  constitute  the  successful 
soldier.  He  had  invented  anew  species  of  rifle,  that  could  load  at  the  breech 
and  fire  seven  times  in  a  minute,  with  accuracy  and  precision. 

He  was  present  in  1777,  at  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  and  in  that  achieve- 
ment, used  with  his  corps,  his  invention  with  fatal  efl'ect. 

He  distinguished  himself  on  the  North  River,  in  1779,  and  was  sent  to 
aid  General  Clinton  in  the  South.    His  signal  service  in  the  reduction  of 


,    ,  CLEAVELAND  COUNTY.  103 

r 

Charleston,  in  INIay,  1780,  is  mentioned  with  great  praise  in  the  dispatches  of 
the  Commander-in-chief. 

His  disposition  and  manners  were  conciliatory,  and  well  calculated  to  gain 
friends.  He  was  dispatched  by  Lord  Cornwallis  to  the  western  portion  of 
North  Carolina,  to  win  the  inhabitants  to  the  British  cause.  In  this  he  dis- 
played much  tact  and  judgment.  la  his  address  published  to  the  inhabit- 
ants, he  says,  "We  come  not  to  make  war  upon  women  and  children,  but  to 
give  them  money,  and  to  relieve  their  distresses." 

Providence  assigned  to  him  the  fate  that  befell  him  on  the  heights  of  King's 
Mountain.  His  talents  and  valor  were  worthy  of  a  better  cause  and  a  less 
severe  fate. 

Copy  of  a  circular  letter  from  Major  Patrick  Ferguson  to  the 
Tory  leaders  in  North  Carolina : — 

Donard's  Ford,  Broad  River, 

Tryon  County,  Oct.  1,  1780. 

Gextlemex — Unless  you  wish  to  be  cut  up  by  an  inundation  of  barbarians, 
who  have  begun  by  murdering  the  unarmed  son  before  the  aged  father,  and 
afterwards  lopped  off  his  arms,  and  who  by  their  shocking  cruelty  and  irregu- 
larities, give  the  best  proof  of  their  cowardice  and  want  of  discipline ;  I  say, 
if  you  wish  to  be  pinioned,  robbed,  and  murdered,  and  to  see  your  wives  and 
daughters,  in  four  days,  abused  by  the  dregs  of  jnankind — in  short,  if  you 
wish  or  desire  to  live  and  bear  the  name  of  men,  grasp  your  arms  in  a  mo- 
ment and  run  to  camp. 

The  Backwater  men  have  crossed  the  mountain;  M'Dowell,  Hampton, 
Shelby  and  Cleaveland  are  at  their  head,  so  that  you  know  what  you  will 

have  to  depend  upon.     If  you  choose  to  be  p d  upon  for  ever  and  ever  by 

a  set  of  mongrels,  say  so  at  once,  and  let  your  women  turn  their  backs  upon 

vou,  and  look  out  for  real  men  to  protect  them. 

^  PAT.  FERGUSON, 

Major  list  Regiment. 

Letter  from  General  Davidson,  of  North  Carolina,  to  General 
Sumner: — 

Camp,  Rocky  River, 

Oct.  10, 1780. 

Sir— I  have  the  pleasure  of  handing  you  very  agreeable  intelligence  from 
the  West.  Ferguson,  the  great  partisan,  has  miscarried.  This  we  are  as- 
sured of  by  Mr.  Tate,  Brigade  Major  in  General  Sumpter's  late  command. 
The  particulars  from  that  gentleman's  mouth  stand  thus: — That  Colonels 
Campbell,  Cleaveland,  Shelby,  Sevier,  Williams,  Brandon,  Lacey,  &c.,  formed 
a  conjunct  body  near  Gilbert  Town,  consisting  of  3,030  ;  from  this  body  were 
selected  1,600  good  horse,  who  immediately  went  in  pursuit  of  Colonel  Fer- 
guson, who  was  making  his  way  to  Charlotte.  Our  people  overtook  him 
well  posted  on  King's  Mountain,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  7th  instant,  at 
four  o'clock,  began  the  attack,  which  continued  forty-seven  minutes.  Colonel 
Ferguson  fell  in  the  action,  besides  150  of  his  men  ;  810  were  made  prisoners, 
including  the  British ;  150  of  the  prisoners  were  wounded  ;  1,500  stand  of 
arms  fell  into  our  hands.  Colonel  Ferguson  had  about  1,400  men.  Our 
people  surrounded  them,  and  the  enemy  surrendered.  We  lost  about  twenty 
men,  among  whom  is  Major  Chronicle,  of  Lincoln  County.  Colonel  Williams 
is  mortally  wounded.  The  number  of  our  wounded  cannot  be  ascertained. 
This  blow  will  certainly  affect  the  British  very  considerably.  The  Brigade 
Major  who  gives  us  this,  was  in  the  action.  The  above  is  true.  The  blow  is 
ereat.  1  give  vou  iov  upon  the  occasion.  I  am,  &c., 
^  s      J      J  J    1  WILLIAM  DAVIDSON. 

Hon.  Gex.  Sumner, 

Camp  Yadkin  Ford. 

16 


104  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Maj.  Gen.  Gates  to  Governor  Jefferson, 
dated 

HiLLSBORo',  Nov.  1,  1780. 

Sir — Last  night  Col.  Campbell,  who  commanded  our  victorious  troops  in 
the  action  of  the  7th  ultimo,  at  King's  Mountain,  arrived  here.  He  has  de- 
livered to  me  the  enclosed  authentic  and  particular  account  of  that  affair. 
I  beg  your  Excellency  will,  immediately  after  perusal,  forward  it  to 
Congress  : — 

A  statement  of  proceedings  of  tlie  Western  Army,  from  the  25th  day  of  Sep- 
tember, 1780,  to  the  reduction  of  Major  Feryuson  and  the  army  under  his  com- 
mand. 

On  receiving  intelligence  that  Major  Ferguson  had  advanced  as  high  up 
as  Gilbert  Town,  in  Rutherford  County,  and  threatened  to  cross  the  moun- 
tains to  the  Western  waters.  Col.  Wm.  Campbell,  with  four  hundred  men 
from  Washington  County,  of  Yirginia ;  Col.  Isaac  Shelby,  with  two  hundred 
and  forty  men  from  Sullivan  County,  of  N.  Carolina ;  and  Lieut.-Col.  John 
Sevier,  with  two  hundred  and  forty  men  of  Washington  County,  N.  Carolina, 
assembled  at  Watauga,  on  the  25th  day  of  September,  where  they  were  joined 
by  Col.  Chas.  M'Dowell,  with  one  hundred  and  sixty  men  from  the  counties 
of  Burke  and  Rutherford,  who  had  fled  before  the  enemy  to  the  western 
waters. 

We  began  our  march  on  the  26th,  and,  on  the  30th,  we  were  joined  by 
Col.  Cleaveland,  on  the  Catawba  River,  with  three  hundred  and  fifty  men 
from  the  counties  of  Wilkes  and  Surry.  No  one  officer  having  properly  a 
right  to  the  command  in  chief,  on  the  1st  of  October  we  dispatched  an  express 
to  Major-Gen.  Gates,  informing  him  of  our  situation,  and  requested  him  to 
send  a  general  officer  to  take  command  of  the  whole.  In  the  meantime,  Col. 
Campbell  was  chosen  to  act  as  commandant  till  such  general  officer  should 
arrive. 

We  reached  the  Cowpens,  on  the  Broad  River,  in  South  Carolina,  where  we 
were  joined  by  Col.  James  Williams  on  the  evening  of  the  6th  of  October, 
who  informed  us  that  the  enemy  lay  encamped  somewhere  near  the  Cherokee 
Ford  of  Broad  River,  about  thirty  miles  distant  from  us.  By  a  Council  of 
the  principal  officers,  it  was  then  thought  advisable  to  pursue  the  enemy  that 
night  with  nine  hundred  of  the  best  horsemen,  and  leave  the  weak  horse  and 
footmen  to  follow  as  fast  as  possible.  We  began  our  march,  with  nine  hun- 
dred of  the  best  men,  about  eight  o'clock  the  same  evening,  and  marched  all 
night ;  came  up  with  the  enemy  about  three  o'clock  P.  M.  of  the  7th,  who 
lay  encamped  on  the  top  of  King's  Mountain,  twelve  miles  north  of  the 
Cherokee  Ford,  in  the  confidence  they  could  not  be  forced  from  so  advan- 
tageous a  post.  Previous  to  the  attack,  in  our  march  the  following  disposition 
was  made: — 

Col.  Shelby's  regiment  formed  a  column  in  the  centre  on  the  left ;  Col. 
Campbell's  another  on  the  right;  part  of  Col.  Cleavelaud's  regiment,  headed 
in  the  front  by  Major  Winston  and  Col.  Sevier's,  formed  a  large  column  on 
the  right  wing;  the  other  part  of  Col.  Cleavelaud's  regiment  composed  the 
left  wing.  In  this  order  we  advanced,  and  got  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of 
the  enemy  before  we  were  discovered.  Col.  Shelby's  and  Colonel  Camp- 
bell's regiments  began  the  attack,  and  kept  up  a  fire  on  the  enemy, 
while  the  right  and  left  wings  were  advancing  forward  to  surround  them, 
which  was  done  in  about  five  minutes,  and  the  fire  became  general  all  round. 
The  engagement  lasted  an  hour  and  five  minutes,  the  greatest  part  of  which 
time  a  heavy  and  incessant  fire  was  kept  up  on  both  sides.  Our  men,  in 
some  parts  where  the  regulars  fought,  were  obliged  to  give  way  a  small  dis- 
tance two  or  three  times,  but  rallied  and  returned  with  additional  ardor  to 
the  attack.  The  troops  upon  the  right  having  gained  the  summit  of  the 
eminence,  obliged  the  enemy  to  retreat  along  the  top  of  the  ridge,  where 
Col.  Cleaveland  commanded,  and  were  there  stopped  by  his  brave  men.  A 
flag  was  immediately  hoisted  by  Captain  Depeyster,  the  commanding  officer 


CLEAVELAXD  COUNTY.  lOo 

(Major  Ferguson  having  been  killed  a  little  before),  for  a  surrender.  Our 
lire  immediately  ceased,  and  the  enemy  laid  down  their  arms — the  greater 
part  of  them  loaded — and  surrendered  themselves  to  us  prisoners  at  discretion. 
It  appears,  from  their  own  provision  returns  for  that  day,  found  in  their 
camp,  that  their  whole  force  consisted  of  eleven  hundred  and  twenty-five 
men,  out  of  which  they  sustained  the  following  loss :  Of  the  regulars,  one 
major,  one  captain,  two  lieutenants,  and  fifteen  privates  killed  ;  thirtj'-five 
privates  wounded — left  on  the  ground  not  able  to  march,  two  captains,  four 
lieutenants,  three  ensigns,  one  surgeon,  five  sergeants,  three  corporals,  one 
drummer,  and  fifty-nine  privates  taken  prisoners. 

Loss  of  the  Tories,  two  colonels,  three  captains,  and  two  hundred  and 
one  privates  killed  ;  one  major,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  privates 
wounded,  and  left  on  the  ground  not  able  to  march ;  one  colonel,  twelve  cap- 
tains, eleven  lieutenants,  two  ensigns,  one  quartermaster,  one  adjutant,  two 
commissaries,  eighteen  sergeants,  and  six  hundred  privates  taken  prisoners. 
Total  loss  of  the  enemy  1,105  men  at  King's  Mountain. 

Given  under  our  hands  at  camp, 

WILLIAM  CAMPBELL, 
ISAAC  SHELBY, 
BENJAMIN  CLEAYELAND. 

The  loss  on  our  side  : — 

Killed.  Wounded. 

1  Colonel.  1  Major. 

1  Major.  3  Captains. 

1  Captain.  3  Lieutenants. 

2  Lieutenants.  53  Privates. 
4  Ensigns.  — 

19  Privates.  60 — total. 

28— total. 

An  account  of  the  Battle  of  Klng^s  Mountain,  prepared  hy  Gen.  William  Le- 
noir, at  the  request  of  Judge  Murphy,  and  furnished  for  this  work  by  W, 
W.  Lenoir,  Esq.,  of  Caldwell  County. 

Having  lately  seen  in  the  State  Gazette,  a  publication  of  Mr,  Walker's 
circular  letter  in  which  there  is  a  very  imperfect  statement  of  the  battle  at 
King's  Mountain,  brings  to  my  recollection  your  request  for  a  true  account 
thereof ;  and  having  previously  observed,  that  in  all  the  histories  of  the  Kevo- 
lutionary  War  that  I  have  seen,  the  accounts  of  that  battle  are  very  erroneous, 
induces  me  to  attempt  to  fulfill  your  desire  on  that  subject,  by  giving  you  as 
perfect  an  account  of  that  transaction  from  my  own  knowledge,  as  my  memory 
at  so  distant  a  period  will  enable  me  to  do. 

When  a  report  was  circulated  that  a  detachment  of  the  British  army  had 
advanced  through  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  and  a  part  of  North  Carolina, 
as  far  as  Cane  Creek,  where  a  strong  party  of  them  were  repulsed  by  the 
neighboring  militia,  chiefly  of  Burke  County,  under  the  command  of  Col. 
Chas.  McDowell,  and  Major  J.  McDowell,  the  active  Whigs  of  the  w-estern 
part  of  North  Carolina,  and  some  from  the  near  part  of  Yirginia,  like  patriots 
at  a  moment's  notice,  without  any  call  from  the  Government,  turned  out  and 
concentrated  in  Burke  County,  without  any  aid  from  public  stores,  of  clothing, 
arms,  ammunition,  or  any  article  of  camp  equipage,  not  having  a  single  tent 
or  baggage  Avagon  amongst  them,  and  advanced  to  Green  River,  near  the  south- 
ern limit  of  Rutherford  County,  where  they  received  some  further,  but  im- 
perfect information  of  the  progress  of  the  aforesaid  detachment  of  the  British 
army,  commanded  by  the  celebrated  Col.  Ferguson,  who  was  said  to  be  pro- 
gressing through  the  country  in  various  directions,  committing  great  ravages 
and  depredations. 

A  council  was  held  by  the  principal  officers  of  the  Whigs  :  the  result  of 
which  was,  that,  on  presumption  that,  through  the  medium  of  the  Tories,  Col. 


106  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Ferguson  had  daily  information  of  the  advancement  of  the  Whigs,  and  was 
so  on  the  alert,  that  men  on  foot  would  not  be  able  to  overtake  him  ;  therefore 
orders  were  given  for  as  many  as  had,  or  could  procure  horses,  to  go  in 
advance  as  mounted  infantry,  there  not  being  a  single  dragoon  in  the  Whig 
army.  Whereupon,  about  live  or  six  hundred  were  prepared  and  mai-ched 
oS  about  sunrise  on  the  6th  day  of  October,  17X0,  leaving  the  footmen,  about 
one  thousand  five  hundred  in  number,  encamped  on  Green  River,  under  the 
command  of  Major  Joseph  Ilerndon.  The  advance  party  of  mounted  infantry 
being  joined  by  Col.  AVilliams,*  with  a  few  South  Carolina  militia,  in  the 
evening  arrived  at  a  place  called  tbe  Cowpeus,  in  South  Carolina,!  where  two 
beeves  were  killed  and  orders  given  for  the  men  to  cook,  and  eat  as  quick  as 
possible ;  but  marching  orders  were  given,  before  those  that  were  indolent, 
had  prepared  anything  to  eat ;  and  they  marched  all  night  (being  dark  and 
rainy),  and  crossed  Broad  River  the  next  morning,  where  an  attack  was  ex- 
pected. But  not  finding  the  enemy,  the  detachment  almost  exhausted  by 
fatigue,  hunger,  cold  and  wet,  and,  for  want  of  sleep,  pursued  their  march  a 
few  miles,  when  they  met  two  men  from  Col.  Ferguson's  camp,  who  gave  some 
account  of  his  situation.  Then  being  revived  by  the  hopes  of  gaining  the 
desired  object,  the  ofiicers  held  a  short  consultation  (sitting  on  their  horses), 
in  which  it  was  concluded  that  said  detachment  should  be  formed  into  four 
columns;  two  of  the  columns  should  march  on  each  side  of  the  road,  as 
silently  as  they  could,  and  that  they  should  govern  their  march  by  the  view 
of  each  other  ;  Col.  Winston  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  right  hand  column ; 
Coh  Cleaveland  at  the  head  of  the  left;  and  Cols.  Shelby  and  Sevier  at  the 
heads  of  the  two  middle  columns  ;  and  as  Col.  Campbell  had  come  the  greatest 
distance,  and  from  the  State  of  Virginia,  he  was  complimented  with  the  com- 
mand of  the  whole  detachment. 

AVhen  they  had  marched  in  that  order  about  a  mile.  Colonel  Winston,  by  a 
steep  hill,  had  got  so  far  separated  from  the  other  columns  as  to  be  out  of 
sight  or  hearing  of  them,  when  some  men  rode  in  sight,  and  directed  him  to 
dismount,  and  march  up  the  hill,  which  was  immediately  done,  with  an  ex- 
pectation of  meeting  the  enemy  on  the  hill ;  but  before  his  men  had  advanced 
two  hundred  paces  from  their  horses,  they  were  again  hailed,  and  directed  to 
mount  their  horses  and  push  on,  and  that  the  enemy  was  a  mile  ahead.  On 
whicn,  they  ran  with  great  precipitation  down  to  their  horses,  mounted 
them,  and  rode  like  fox  hunters,  as  fast  as  their  horses  could  run,  through 
rough  woods,  crossing  branches  and  ridges  without  any  person  that  had  any 
knowledge  of  the  woods  to  direct  or  guide  them.  They  happened  to  fall  in 
upon  the  left  of  the  enemy  (being  the  place  of  their  intended  destination). 
At  this  very  moment  the  tiring  began  on  the  other  parts  of  the  lines,J  when 
all  dismounted  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  the  right  and  left  hand 
columns  surrounded  them  as  quick  as  possible.  In  the  mean  time,  the  enemy 
charged  bayonets  on  the  two  middle  columns,?  who  being  armed  with  rifles, 
and  not  a  single  bayonet  amongst  them,  were  twice  obliged  to  retreat  a  small 
distance  ;  but  they  wheeled  again  with  increased  vigor,  and  fought  bravely. 
The  enemy  being  surrounded,  their  left  wing  began  to  retreat,  by  drawing 
up  in  closer  order  towards  their  right.  At  length  they  hoisted  a  flag,  and 
surrendered  themselves  prisoners  of  war ;  not  a  single  man  of  them  escaped 
that  was  in  camp  at  the  commencement  of  the  battle. 

After  the  arms  and  prisoners  were  secured,  some  men  were  appointed  to 
number  the  dead.  They  reported  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  enemy,  and 
thirty-two  of  the  Whigs.  There  were  not  near  so  many  of  the  enemy  wounded 
as  were  of  the  Whigs,  about  forty  of  whom  afterwards  died  of  their  wounds. 
The  total  number  of  the  Whigs  in  the  battle  was  between  six  and  seven 
hundred ;  and  the  number  of  the  enemy,  agreeable  to  their  daily  returns, 


*  Col.  Williams  was  wounded  in  the  battle  and  died  one  or  two  days  afterwards. 

I  Gen.  Morgan  afierwards  defeated  Col.  Tarleton  at  the  Cowpens. 

J  Nothing  but  the  interposition  of  Divine  power  could  have  conducted  the  said  right 
hand  column  to  so  great  advantage. 

§  A  number  of  Tories  who  were  not  provided  with  bayonets,  substituted  butcher 
knives,  the  handles  being  cut  to  fit  the  muzzles  of  their  guns." 


CLEAYELAND  COUNTY.  107 

was  eleven  hundred  and  eighty-seven.  The  AYhij^s  camped  on  the  battle- 
ground, and  marched  off  with  tlieir  prisoners  the  next  day;  and,  having  no 
other  way  to  secure  the  arms  taken,  compelled  the  prisoners  to  carry  them,  a 
great  number  of  them  having  to  carry  two  guns  each.  About  sunset  we  met  the 
footmen  they  had  left  at  Green  Iliver,  who  had  pi:ovided  a  plenty  of  rations, 
&c.     The  Whigs  who  had  fought  the  battle  wei-e  almost  famished. 

A  few  days  afterwards,  in  Rutherford  County,  the  principal  officers  held  a 
Court-martial  over  some  of  the  most  audacious  and  murderous  Tories,  and 
selected  thirty-two  as  victims  for  destruction  ;  and  commenced  hanging  three 
at  a  time,  until  they  hung  nine,  and  respited  the  rest. 

Col.  Ferguson  had  placed  himself  on  the  top  of  King's  Mountain  the  morn- 
ing before  the  battle  ;  in  a  boasting  manner,  he  had  proclaimed  that  here  was 
King's  Mountain,  and  that  he  was  the  king  of  that  mountain  ;  supposing  it 
to  be  a  very  advantageous  position  for  him  ;  but  it  proved  the  reverse,  from 
the  manner  he  was  attacked  and  surrounded.  Ilis  elevated  situation  secured 
the  Whigs  from  the  danger  of  their  own  fire  from  the  opposite  side,  and  he 
being  surrounded  when  his  men  sheltered  themselves  on  one  side,  they  were 
exposed  to  danger  on  the  other.  Colonel  Ferguson  had  seven  or  eight  bullets 
shot  through  him,  and  fell  some  time  before  the  battle  was  over. 

The  number  of  the  Whigs  was  so  inferior,  that  Col.  Ferguson,  or  his  suc- 
cessor in  command,  might  have  easily  retreated  with  very  inconsiderable 
loss ;  if  they  had  known  the  number  and  situation  of  the  Whigs,  no  doubt 
but  they  would  have  retreated  instead  of  surrendering. 

It  appears  that  under  the  auspices  of  the  same  Divine  Power  that  so  advan- 
tageously conducted  the  right  hand  column  of  the  Whigs  to  the  battle  at 
King's  Mountain,  from  that  period  good  fortune  seemed  to  preponderate  in 
every  direction  in  favor  of  the  common  cause  of  liberty  (except  the  single 
instance  of  General  Gates,  who  was  defeated  by  his  own  imprudence),  for 
although  the  British  army  kept  the  battle-ground  at  Guilford  Court  House, 
it  appears  to  be  given  up  on  both  sides,  that  the  Americans  had  the  best  of 
that  battle,  and  disabled  their  enemy.  And  to  contrast  the  situation  of  the 
Whigs  after  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  with  what  inevitably  would  have 
been  their  situation  in  case  Ferguson's  army  had  gained  as  complete  a  victory 
over  the  Whigs,  as  the  Whigs  had  done  over  them,  it  must  appear  that  said 
battle  was  the  most  decisive,  the  most  gloriously  fought,  and,  although  few 
in  numbers,  was  of  the  greatest  importance  of  any  one  battle  that  ever  was 
fought  in  America.  *  tc-  *  «•  *  * 

I  was  captain  of  a  company  of  footmen,  and  left  them  at  Green  River, 
except  sis  of  them,  who  procured  horses  and  went  with  us.  I  went  as  a  com- 
mon soldier,  and  did  not  pretend  to  take  command  of  those  that  belonged  to 
my  company;  neither  did  I  join  any  other  company;  but  fell  in  immediately 
behind  Col.  Winston,  in  front  of  the  right  hand  column,  which  enables  me  to 
give  a  more  particular  account  of  the  progress  of  that  part  of  our  army  than 
any  other.  Before  the  battle.  Adjutant  Jesse  Franklin,  now  Governor  of 
JS'orth  Carolina,  Capt.  Robt.  Cleaveland,  and  myself,  agreed  to  stand  together 
and  support  each  other  ;  but,  at  the  commencement  of  the  battle,  enthusiastic 
zeal  caused  us  all  to  separate.  Each  being  anxious  to  effect  the  grand  object, 
uo  one  appeared  to  regard  his  own  personal  safety.  As  to  my  own  part, 
from  where  we  dismounted,  instead  of  going  on  to  surround,  I  advanced  the 
nearest  way  towards  the  enemy,  under  a  heavy  fire,  until  I  got  within  about 
thirty  paces.  Before  they  began  to  give  ground,  being  among  strangers,  I 
noticed  one  particular  instance  of  bravery.  On  hearing  a  man  within  six 
feet  behind  me  fall,  I  looked  around,  and  at  that  instant,  another  soldier 
jumped  at  him,  saying,  "Give  me  your  shot-bag,  old  fellow !"  his  own  ammu- 
nition being  exhausted.  The  gallant  patriot  gave  him  with  his  dying  hand 
his  ammunition.  About  that  time  I  received  a  slight  wound  in  my  side,  and 
another  in  my  left  arm ;  and,  after  that,  a  bullet  went  through  my  hair  above 
where  it  was  tied,  and  my  clothes  were  cut  in  several  places.  From  the  ac- 
count I  have  given  of  the  battle,  it  will  be  understood  that  it  was  fought  on 
our  side  by  militia  alone.     By  that  victory,  many  militia  officers  procured 


108 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


swords  who  could  not  possibly  get  any  before  ;  neither  was  it  possible  to  pro- 
cure a  good  supply  of  ammunition.  ***** 


MEMBERS  FROM  CLEAVELAND. 


Years. 
1844. 

1846. 

1848. 
1850. 


Senate. 
Thos.  .Jefferson, 
Columbus  Mills, 
Dr.  W.  J.  T.  Miller, 
John  G.  Bynum, 


House  of  Commons. 

J.  Y.  Hamrick. 
Joshua  Beam. 
J.  Y.  Hamrick. 
G.  G.  Holland. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 


COLUMBUS  COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation- 


-Situation  and  boundaries — Population  and  products — 
Members  of  Assembly. 


Columbus  County  was  formed  in  1808,  from  Bladen  and  Bruns- 
wick; its  name  is  derived  from  Christopher  Columbus,  a  native  of 
Genoa,  who  in  the  year  1492  discovered  America. 

It  is  situated  in  the  south-eastern  portion  of  North  Carolina,  and 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Bladen ;  on  the  east,  by  Brunswick  and 
Bladen ;  on  the  south,  by  the  South  Carolina  line ;  and  west  by  Robe- 
son County. 

Its  population  is  4257  whites ;  1503  slaves ;  149  free  negroes ;  5307  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  products  are  1366  bushels  of  wheat;  79,155  bushels  of  corn  ;  725  bar- 
rels turpentine  ;  ^10,864  w»rth  of  lumber ;  24,035  lbs.  cotton;  6724  lbs.  wool. 

Its  revolutionary  and  colonial  history  is  connected  with  Bladen 
and  Brunswick,  from  which  it  was  formed. 

Its  capital  is  Whitesville,  derived  from  James  B.  White,  one  of 
the  first  members  in  the  General  Assembly.  One  hmidi-ed  and 
twenty-five  miles  distant  from  Raleigh. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Columbus. 


Years.  Senators. 

1809.  James  B.  AVhite, 

1810.  James  B.  White, 

1811.  Wynn  Nance, 

1812.  Wynn  Nance, 

1813.  Wynn  Nance, 

1814.  Thomas  Frink, 

1815.  Thomas  Frink, 

1816.  Thomas  Frink, 

1817.  Thomas  Frink, 

1818.  Jonathan  Pierce, 

1819.  Thomas  Frink, 

1820.  Jacob  Guiton, 


House  of  Commons. 

Wynn  Nance,  Thomas  Frink. 
Thomas  Frink,  Wynn  Nance. 
Jonathan  Pierce,  Thomas  Frink. 
Thomas  Frink,  Jonathan  Pierce. 
Goldborough  Flower,  -Jacob  Guiton. 
Absalom  Powell,  P.  Coleman. 
John  Gore,  David  Guiton. 
Caleb  Stephens,  Jacob  Guiton. 
Caleb  Stephens,  Jacob  Guiton. 
Caleb  Stephens,  Jacob  Guiton. 
J.  H.  White,  R.  Wooton. 
L.  II.  Simmons,  R.  Wooten. 


CRAVEN  COUNTY. 


109 


Years.  Senators. 

1821.  Thomas  Frink, 

1822.  Alexander  Troy, 

1823.  Thomas  Frink, 
1S24.  Thomas  Frink, 

1825,  Alex.  Formyduval, 

1826,  James  Burney, 

1827,  James  Burney, 

1828,  James  Burney, 

1829,  James  Burnev, 

1830,  Luke  R.  Simmons, 

1831,  Luke  R,  Simmons, 

1832,  Luke  R,  Simmons, 

1833,  Luke  R.  Simmons, 

1834,  Caleb  Stephens, 

1835,  Caleb  Stephens, 

1836,  James  Burney, 
1838.  Robert  Melvin, 
1840,  Robert  Melvin, 
1842.  Robert  Melvin, 
1844.  Robert  Melvin, 
1846.  Richard  Wooten, 
1848.  Richard  Wooten, 
1850.  Richard  Wooten, 


House  of  Commons. 
L.  R.  Simmons,  Levi  Stephens. 
Caleb  Stephens,  Richard  Wooten. 
J.  H.  White,  Caleb  Stephens. 
Richard  Wooten,  Luke  R.  Simmons. 
L.  R,  Simmons,  Caleb  Stephens. 
Caleb  Stephens,  L,  R.  Simmons. 
Caleb  Stephens,  L.  R.  Simmons. 
Caleb  Stephens,  L.  R.  Simmons. 
L.  R.  Simmons,  Richard  Wooten. 
Marmaduke  Powell,  Caleb  Stephens. 
Caleb  Stephens,  Marmaduke  Powell. 
Joseph  Maultsby,  Caleb  Stephens, 
Caleb  Stephens,  Marmaduke  Powell, 
Marmaduke  Powell,  Thomas  Frink. 
Thomas  Frink,  Marmaduke  PoAveli, 
J,  Maultsby. 
Augustus  Smith. 
Absalom  Powell, 
Nathan  L,  Williamson. 
N,  L,  Williamson. 
N,  L.  Williamson. 
N,  L,  AYilliamson, 
John  A,  Maultsby. 


CHAPTER    XXII, 


CRAVEN  COUNTY. 


Origin  of  name — Date  of  formation — Situation  and  boundaries — Population 
and  products — Newbern,  its  capital — Colonial  and  Revolutionary  history — 
Its  distinguished  men — Abner  Nash — Richard  Dobbs  Spaight — William 
Gaston — John  Stanly — John  R,  Donnell — George  E.  Badger — John  II. 
Bryan — Richard  Dobbs  Spaight,  juu. — Matthias  E.  Manly — Charles  B, 
Sheppard — William  H.  Washington,  and  others — Members  of  Assembly 
from  1774  to  last  session,  1850-51. 


Craven  County  was  one  of  the  orio;inal  precincts  of  the  Lords 
Proprietors,  and  derives  its  name  from  William,  Earl  of  Craven,  to 
whom  with  others  the  charter  from  Charles  the  Second  was  granted. 
He  was  a  brave  cavalier,  an  old  soldier  of  the  German  discipline, 
and  supposed  husband  to  the  Queen  of  Bohemia.* 

It  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  bounded  on  the 
north  by  Pitt  and  Beaufort,  on'  the  east  by  the  Pamplico  Sound,  on 
the  south  by  Carteret  and  Jones,  and  on  the  west  by  Pitt,  Jones, 
and  Lenoir  Counties, 

Its  population  is  7222  whites;  5951  slaves;  1536  free  negroes;  12,328  re- 
presentative population. 


'■^  Life  of  Lord  Keeper  Guildford, 
States,  vol.  ii.  129, 


393. 


Bancroft's  History  of  the  United 


110  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Its  products  are  6037  bushels  wheat ;  10,577  hushels  oats ;  3019  bushels 
rye  ;  143,835  bushels  corn  ;  66,833  lbs.  cotton  ;  8099  lbs.  wool ;  139,027  bar- 
rels turpentine ;  1622  barrels  fish  ;  37,911  dollars  worth  lumber. 

Its  capital  is  Newbern,  one  of  the  largest  and  oldest  towns  in 
the  State  ;  beautifully  located  at  the  confluence  of  the  Neuse  and 
Trent  rivers.  It  derives  its  name*  from  Bern,  the  place  of  nativity 
of  Christopher  Baron  de  Graaffenreidt,  who,  in  1709,  emigrated  to 
this  State  and  settled  near  this  place.  He  had  purchased  of  the 
Lords  Proprietors  ten  thousand  acres  of  land  for  ten  pounds  ster- 
ling for  every  thousand  acres,  and  five  shillings  of  quit  rent.  In 
the  month  of  December,  1710,  the  Palatines,  as  they  were  called, 
landed  in  Carolina,  and  1,500  Swiss.  The  fatal  attack  of  the  In- 
diansf  already  alluded  to,  in  1711,  had  like  to  have  destroyed  this 
colony,  which  was  a  great  acquisition  to  North  Carolina.  De 
Graaffenreidt  and  Lawson,  the  sm^veyor  of  the  colony  and  its  ear- 
liest historian,  w^hile  ascending  the  Neuse,  were  seized  by  the 
Indians ;  Lawson  was  massacred  and  the  Baron  narrowly  escaped. 
He  became  disgusted  with  the  country  and  sold  his  interest  to 
Thomas  Pollock,  for  X800,  and  returned  to  Switzerland. 

The  early  history  of  Craven  County  affords  ample  material  for 
a  separate  volume.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  worthy  son  of 
"the  Athens  of  North  Carolina,"  will  undertake  this  pious  and 
patriotic  duty. 

The  members  to  the  General  ^Meeting  of  Deputies  of  the  province  at  New- 
bern,  on  15th  of  August,  1774,  from  Craven,  were  James  Coor,  Lemuel 
Hatch,  Joseph  Leech,  and  Richard  Cogdell. 

The  members  to  the  Assembly  at  the  same  place,  in  April,  1775,  were  the 
same,  with  Jacob  Blount,  and  William  Bryan. 

The  members  to  the  Assembly  at  Hillsboro'  on  the  21st  of  August,  1775, 
were  James  Coor,  William  Bryan,  Richard  Cogdell,  Joseph  Leech,  Jacob 
Blount,  and  Edmund  Hatch. 

The  members  at  Halifax  in  November,  1776,  were  James  Coor,  Willliam 
Bryan,  -John  Bryan,  Christopher  Neale,  and  John  Bryan. 

In  1775,  Abxer  Nash  and  James  Coor  were  members  of  the  Provincial 
Council  of  Safety. 

The  District  Committee  for  the  Newbern  District,  were  Dr.  Alexander 
Gaston,  Richard  Cogdell,  John  Easton,  Major  Croom,  Roger  Ormond, 
Edward  Salter,  George  Burrow,  William  Thompson,  Benj.  Williams,  Ri- 
chard Ellis,  AVilliam  Brown,  and  James  Glasgow. 

The  field  ofiicers  for  this  county  were  John  Bryan,  Col. ;  Lemuel  Hatch, 
Lieut.-Col. ;  John  Bryan,  jun,,  1st  Major;  John  Tilman,  2d  Major. 

The  names  of  these  men  are  here  preserved,  hoping  that  some  future  pen 
may  do  justice  to  their  services  and  characters. 

Hon.  Francois  Xavier  Martin  was  long  a  resident  of  Newbern.  He  was 
born  at  Marseilles,  France,  17th  March,  1762.  At  the  age  of  20,  he  emigrated 
to  North  Carolina,  where  he  studied  law,  and  was  distinguished  for  his  labor 
and  learning. 

In  1806  he  represented  Newbern  in  the  House  of  Commons. _ 

By  Mr.  .Jefferson  he  was  appointed  U.  S.  Judge  of  the  Mississippi  Territory, 
and  resided  for  a  time  at  Natchez. 

On  1st  Feb.,  1815,  he  was  elevated  by  Gov.  Claiborne,  to  the  Supreme  Court 
Bench  of  Louisiana.  He  continued  in  this  exalted  position  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  on  the  10th  December,  1846. 

*  Martin's  History  of  N.  C.  i.  233.  j  Williamson,  i.  85  ;  1  vol.  37. 


CRAVEN  COUNTY.  Ill 

lie  "was  one  of  the  most  learned  Jurists  of  his  age.  With  a  mind  naturally 
acute  ;  an  erudition  surpassed  by  none,  equalled  by  few  ;  with  an  unspotted 
intep;rity,  his  decisions  are  regarded  Avith  that  respect  they  merit. 

His  labors  as  an  Author  were  considerable.  He  was  the  compiler  of  the 
Statute  Laws  of  North  Carolina :  author  of  a  work  on  Justices  of  the  Peace  ; 
and  of  the  best  History,  according  to  the  means  he  possessed,  ever  published 
of  our  State. 

Hon.  William  Blount,  of  this  County,  was  a  member  of  the  Continental 

Congress,  in  1782-83,  and  in  178G-87. 

On  23d  April,  1787,  he  was  appointed  by  Richard  Caswell,  Governor  of  the 
State,  in  his  place,  as  a  delegate  to  the  Convention  which  assembled  in  Phila- 
delphia, in  May,  to  form  the  Constitution,  and  his  name  is  appended  to  that 
document,  with  those  of  Ilichard  Dobbs  Spaight,  and  Hugh  Williamson.  He 
was  the  brother  of  John  Gray,  and  Thomas  Blount,  of  Beaufort.  On  the 
organization  of  the  North-western  Territory,  he  was  appointed  Governor;  and 
when  Tennessee  was  admitted  as  a  State,  he  was  elected  Senator  in  Congress. 
He  was  expelled  from  the  Senate  on  the  8th  of  July,  1777,  for  exciting  the 
Indians  to  make  hostile  incursions  in  the  Spanish  Territory. 

Had  he  lived  in  this  progressive  age,  this  act  so  far  from  expelling  him  from 
the  Senate,  might  have  elevated  him  to  still  higher  position. 

He  married  Mary  Granger,  of  Wilmington,  and  their  names  have  been 
perpetuated  in  Tennessee,  by  towns  and  counties. 

Abner  Nash,  whose  name  appears  in  the  Provincial  Council,  was  distin- 
guished in  the  early  history  of  North  Carolina,  as  one  of  her  devoted  sons, 
and  most  patriotic  citizens.  He  was  born  in  Prince  Edward  County,  Va. 
His  ftither  was  from  AY  ales.  He  was  educated  for  the  bar,  and  was  elected 
the  first  Speaker  of  the  Senate,  and  the  second  Governor  of  North  Carolina, 
under  the  Constitution,  in  1779.  He  was  defeated  in  1781,  by  Thomas  Burke, 
of  Orange. 

Jones,  in  his  "  Defence  of  North  Carolina,"*  states  that  "Gov.  Nash  was 
defeated  on  account  of  the  disordered  state  of  the  finances." 

From  1782  to  1785,  he  represented  Jones  County  in  the  Assembly.  He  was 
elected  by  the  Assembly  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress,  in  1782,  to 
1780. 

He  was  distinguished  for  his  urbane  manners,  and  solid  acquirements. 
His  bi'other,  Gen.  Francis  Nash,  fell  in  the  battle  of  Germantown,  and  his 
son  is  now  one  of  the  Judges  of  our  Supreme  Court.  His  first  wife  was  the 
widow  of  Arthur  Dobbs,  Governor  of  the  State ;  and  his  second  Miss  Jones. 
He  died  at  Newbern,  respected  and  esteemed  for  his  high  moral  character 
and  intellectual  attainments.  His  name  is  preserved  in  the  State  in  the 
County  erected  in  1777,  while  he  was  Speaker  of  the  Senate. 

PiiCHARD  Dobbs  Spaight  was  a  resident  of  tliis  County.  He  sprung  from  an 
ancient  and  honorable  family  connected  with  that  of  Gov.  Arthur  Dobbs. 
He  was  at  an  early  age  left  an  orphan.  He  commenced  his  academic  studies 
in  Ireland,  and  completed  them  at  the  University  of  Glasgow,  in  Scotland, 
and  in  1778  he  returned  home.  His  country  was  then  engaged  in  her  strug- 
gles for  liberty.  He  joined  the  army  as  aide-de-camp  to  Gen.  Caswell,  and  as 
such  was  at  the  battle  of  Camden,  in  August,  1780. 

In  1781  he  represented  the  town  of  Newbern,  in  the  House  of  Commons; 
and  in  1782-83,  and  1784,  he  was  elected  at  the  same  time  to  represent  the 
'State  in  the  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia;  and  it  appears  that  he 
served  in  l)oth  capacities.  In  1785  and  1786,  ho  was  member  from  Craven 
County.  In  1787  he  was  chosen  as  one  of  the  Delegates  to  form  the  Consti- 
tution of  the  United  States,  and  his  name  is  appended  to  that  instrument. 

In  1788  he  was  one  of  the  Delegates  from  Craven,  to  the  Convention  at 
Ilillsboro'  to  deliberate  on  the  same. 

*  Jones's  Defence,  313. 


112  HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLINA. 

In  1792  he  was  elected  the  Governor  of  the  State,  in  vrhich  year  he  was  a 
member  of  the  House  from  Xewbern. 

In  1798  he  -was  elected  a  member  of  Congress  from  the  Nevrbern  District, 
and  served  one  Concrress. 

In  1801  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  State  Senate,  from  Craven. 

In  September,  1802,  from  some  expressions  of  the  Hon.  John  Stanly,  in 
regard  to  his  political  career,  an  angry  correspondence  took  place,  which 
terminated  by  a  challenge  from  Mr.  Stanly.  Dr.  Edward  Pasteur  was  the 
friend  of  Gov'  Spaight ;  and  Edward  Graham,  Esq.,  the  friend  of  Mr.  Stanly. 

The  challenge  and  acceptance  are  here  recorded. 

JTr.  StanJy  to  Gen.  Spaiglit. 

Sir — Your  handbill  of  the  4th  instant  is  before  me.  It  affords  abundant 
proof  of  what  I  intended  the  world  should  be  convinced,  that  the  character 
which  you  attempted  to  play  off  before  them  was  assumed,  and  could  not  long 
be  supported  :  that  you  walked  on  stilts,  and  had  been  prevailed  upon  in  a  fit 
of  frenzy,  malice,  and  despair,  to  frame  a  challenge,  which  was  the  subject 
of  your  daily  repentance.  My  object  was  to  show  in  the  face  of  those  de- 
claimers  on  your  heroism  and  spirit,  that  no  charge  could  be  framed  suffi- 
ciently insulting  to  tempt  you  to  commit  again  the  like  indiscretion.  In  this 
I  have  had  success  that  must  astonish  and  mortify  your  friends  and  foes. 
Yet  who  can  say  that  you  have  not  deserved  it.  There  yet  remains  another 
object  to  be  attained.  I  am  no  general ;  I  complained  of  no  injury  ;  I  sent 
no  challenge  for  satisfaction  ;  nay  more,  I  had  set  it  up  as  a  principle  to  send 
you  none,  but  your  experiment  has  betrayed  you  into  a  difficulty  to  which 
your  calculation  did  not  extend ;  to  your  disappointment  this  letter  informs 
you  that,  humiliating  as  it  is  to  my  feelings  to  fight  a  man  who  can  descend 
to  the  filth  contained  in  your  handbill,  I  shall  expect  that  you  will  meet  me 
as  soon  as  may  be  convenient,  to  give  that  satisfaction  which  you  assure  me 
that  "if  I  ask  for  it  once  I  shall  not  be  under  the  necessity  of  doing  it  the 
second  time."  JOHN  STAXLY. 

Sept.  otk,  1802. 

My  friend  ^Ir.  Graham,  who  hands  you  this,  wiU  receive  your  answer. 

Gen.  SpaigTit  to  Mr.  Stanly. 

Xewberx,  Sept.  5t?i,  1802. 

Sir — Yours  of  tliis  date  has  been  received.  My  friend.  Doctor  Edward 
Pasteur,  will  appoint  the  time  and  place,  and  make  the  other  necessary  ar- 
rangements with  your  friend. 

RICHARD  D.  SPAIGHJ. 

The  parties  met  on  Sunday  afternoon,  on  the  5th  September  ;  and  upon  the 
exchange  of  the  fourth  fire,  (jov.  Spaight  received  a  wound  in  the  right  side, 
of  which  he  died  in  23  hours. 

JoHX  Staxly  was  often  a  member  of  the  Legislature.  He  was  a  member 
of  Congress  in  1801  from  this  district,  and  again  in  1809.  His  first  session 
in  the  Legislature  was  in  1812,  a  period  of  extraordinary  political  excite- 
ment. He  took  a  decided  stand  in  opposition  to  the  war ;  and  was  a  leader 
of  the  party  opposed  to  Mr.  Madison's  administration.  His  unfortunate 
affair  with  Gov.  Spaight  had  grown  out  of  political  feeling.  He  petitioned  the 
General  Assembly  in  1803,  for  an  act  of  pardon,  but  it  was  refused  on  the 
ground  that  the  pardoning  power  had  been  vested  in  the  Governor  by  the 
Constitution.  The  Governor,  Benjamin  "Williams,  upon  petition  pardoned 
him.  A  copy  of  Mr.  Stanly's  petition  is  herewith  copied  from  the  original 
in  his  own  hand,  in  j^ossession  of  Gov.  Swain. 

"Sir — I  have  the  honor  of  laying  before  your  excellency  several  publica- 
tions by  General  Richard  Doblis  Spaight  and  myself  on  the  subject  of  a  con- 
troversy between  us.     Your  Excellency  will  learn  from  them  the   rise  and 


CRAVEN  COUNTY.  113 

progress  of  a  difference  which  has  had  a  melancholy  termination.  I  beg 
leave,  sir,  to  ask  you  to  judge  from  the  puldications  themselves  whether  I  have 
not  on  my  part  acted  with  decency  and  moderation?  whether  I  do  not  dis- 
cover a  disposition  to  forbearance  rather  than  provocation?  Yet,  this  man- 
ner of  mine,  so  far  from  protecting  me  from  insult,  was  treated  by  my  oppo- 
nent as  pleas  of  cowardice,  and  appears  to  have  encouraged  the  use  of  those 
opprobrious  epithets  which  have  so  li))erally  been  bestowed  upon  me. 

"  Had  I  been  indifferent  to  the  good  opinion  of  the  world,  could  I  have 
extinguished  those  principles  of  virtue  and  honor  which  teach  me  neither  to 
give  cause  for  reproach  or  to  submit  to  the  stigma  which  such  publications, 
unnoticed,  would  have  fixed  upon  me  ;  I  might  have  borne  '  the  robbery  of 
my  good  name'  with  humility.  I  might  have  then  preferred  to  pass  the  remain- 
der of  my  days  with  submission  to  the  affronts  which  such  a  weakness  of  dispo- 
sition would  encourage,  and  which  such  charges  unrepelled  would  justify  ;  to 
have  existed  the  object  of  scorn,  contempt,  and  derision  of  mankind,  rather 
than  to  have  created,  at  the  hazard  of  my  own  life,  those  difficulties  and  dis- 
tresses to  which  I  am  now  subjected  by  a  measure  adopted  to  preserve  a 
character  which  I  fondly  trust  has  hitherto  been  free  from  dishonorable  im- 
putation. 

"  I  appeal,  sir,  to  the  feelings  of  every  gentleman  ;  permit  me,  sir,  to  appeal 
to  that  dignified  sense  of  honor  which  adorns  your  own  character,  to  decide 
whether  it  was  possible,  or  would  have  been  proper  in  me  to  acquiesce  with 
humility,  to  have  bowed  myself  to  the  opprobrious  epithets  of  '  liar  and 
scoundrel,'  which  General  Spaight,  in  his  publication  of  the  4th,  applies  to 
me,  at  the  same  time  braving  me  to  ask  satisfaction. 

"  I  felt  an  obligation  due  to  myself,  and  no  less  urgent  duty  to  the  people 
whom  I  have  the  honor  to  represent,  to  remove  these  dishonorable  terms.  I 
took  that  step  which  I  hope  cannot  be  condemned,  the  one  most  likely  to  pro- 
cure that  redress  which  I  wished,  a  retraction  of  the  epithets,  or,  on  refusal, 
to  punish  the  man  who  could  so  unjustly  apply  them  to  me.  A  copy  of  my 
challenge  of  the  5th  inst.  accompanies  the  other  papers.  This  was  accepted. 
We  fought  the  same  day.  General  Spaight  received  a  wound,  of  which  he 
has  since  died. 

"  From  this  fatal  result  of  a  measure  which  I  trust  the  candid  and  discern- 
ing will  admit  to  have  been  necessary,  if  not  indispensable,  an  event  which 
I  shall  not  cease  to  deplore,  I  have  become  criminal  to  the  laws  of  my  coun- 
try, I  am  exposed  to  all  the  persecution  which  the  resentful  feelings  of  the 
malevolent  and  uncandid  may  stimulate,  or  the  forms  of  the  law  require. 
Were  my  own  feelings  alone  to  be  affected  by  the  probability  of  imprison- 
ment and  arraignment,  I  should  endeavor  to  support  myself  with  that  forti- 
tude which  the  situation  would  require.  But  there  are  others  whose  con- 
nection with  me  create  all  the  anxieties  I  mj^self  can  feel  without  the  forti- 
tude to  allay  them.     These  I  feel  an  obligation,  if  possible,  to  remove. 

"  If  your  Excellencj^  will  examine  the  case,  I  trust  it  will  appear  that  Gene- 
ral Spaight  acknowledged  himself  satisfied  with  my  explanation  of  my  con- 
versation which  had  first  given  him  offence.  That  our  subsequent  difference 
was  occasioned  by  his  publishing  Smyth's  certificate,  with  a  view,  as  he  after- 
words avows,  of  impeaching  my  veracity  and  the  truth  of  the  very  state- 
ment with  which  he  had  said  'he  should  rest  satisfied.'  That  the  remarks 
extorted  from  me  by  the  publication  were  moderate  and  respectful — that  I  sup- 
ported the  controversy  with  temperance,  departing  in  no  instance  from  the 
language  of  a  gentleman — and  that  my  sul)sequent  expressions  of  warmth 
were  provoked  by  the  harsh  language  of  my  opponent.  I  hope  that  your 
Excellency  will  be  of  that  opinion,  that  when  the  most  opprobi'ious  epithets 
were  applied  to  me,  that  respect  for  the  opinion  of  the  world,  an  honest  and 
laudable  desire  to  wipe  off  such  vile  and  undeserved  reproach  actuated  me 
to  adopt  the  measure  most  likely  to  accomplish  that  object.  Though  these 
circumstances  and  considerations  may  not  leave  me  entirely  free  from  offence, 
in  the  severe  constructions  of  the  law,  I  trust  that  they  will  so  far  extenuate 
it  as  to  induce  your  Excellency  to  believe  that  my  conduct  does  not  merit  the 


114  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLIXA. 

sevei-e,  distressing,  and  humiliating  consequence  that  must  result  fi'om  a 
rigorous  prosecution. 

"  3Iay  it  please  your  Excellency  to  exercise  in  my  favor  that  power  of 
granting  pardons  which  the  Constitution  has  vested  in  you. 

"I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  every  sentiment  of  respect, 

"Your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

"JNO.  STANLY. 
"  His  Excellency,  Governor  Williams. 
"Sept.  Vdih,  1802." 

He  .continued  without  much  intermission  in  the  House  of  Commons,  of 
•which  he  was  often  Speaker,  until  1826,  when  he  was  struck  with  a  paralytic 
stroke,  which  terminated  his  political  career,  and  in  a  few  years  his  life. 
He  died  3d  of  August,  1834. 

"William  Gastox,  late  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State,  was  a 
native  of  Newbern.  His  father.  Dr.  Alexander  Gaston,  "  a  native  of  Ireland, 
and  a  man  of  letters,"  was  one  of  the  most  determined  patriots  of  his  day.  He 
was  killed  on  the  20th  August,  1781,  under  the  most  painful  circumstances. 
He  was  retreating  from  the  attack  of  the  Tories,  with  his  wife  and  two  small 
children,  when  a  party  of  Tories  appeared.  Mrs.  Gaston  was  left  on  the  wharf, 
Avhile  her  husband  pushed  off  in  a  boat.  One  of  these  monsters  leveled  his 
gun  over  the  shoulder  of  Mrs.  Gaston,  and  her  patriotic  husband  fell  dead, 
leaving  her  and  two  children;  a  son,  the  distinguished  subject  of  this  notice, 
and  a  daughter,  who  afterwards  was  the  wife  of  Chief  Justice  Taylor. 

Judge  Gaston  was  born  in  Newbern,  19th  September,  1778. 

Happily  for  him,  and  happy  for  his  State,  his  mother  was  a  woman  of  great 
energy  of  character,  of  devoted  piety,  and  extraordinary  prudence.  Naturally 
of  a  quick  temper ;  her  counsel,  example  and  advice,  taught  him  to  subdue  it. 
The  great  object  of  her  life  seemed  to  be  to  prepare  herself  for  a  better  world, 
and  to  train  in  "wisdom's  ways"  the  precious  charge  left  to  her  care  un- 
der such  afiiicting  and  tragical  circumstances.  She  felt  like  the  mother  of 
Moses — the  words  of  Pharaoh's  daughter — "Take  this  child  and  nurse  it 
for  me,  and  I  will  give  thee  thy  wages."  His  unparalleled  success  in  after 
life,  his  extensive  usefulness  and  exalted  public  services,  prove  how  faithfully 
her  duty  had  been  discharged. 

"  This  tells  to  mothers  what  a  holy  charge 
Is  theirs;  with  what  a  kingly  power  their  love 
May  rule  the  fountains  oi'the  new-born  mind  ; 
Warns  them  to  wake  at  early  dawn  and  sow 
Good  seed  belbre  the  world  doth  sow  its  tares."* 

Mrs.  Ellet,  in  her  work,  "  Women  of  the  Revolution,"  renders  any  further 
allusion  to  Mrs.  Gaston  unnecessary,  except  to  quote  from  her  beautiful  pro- 
duction,! one  anecdote,  which  gives  in  graphic  minuteness,  her  method  of  edu- 
cation. When  her  son  was  only  seven  or  eight  years  old,  he  was,  even  then, 
remarkable  for  his  aptitude  and  cleverness.  "William,  why  is  it,"  said  one 
of  his  little  schoolmates,  "that  you  are  always  head  of  the  class,  and  I  am 
always  foot?"  "  There  is  a  reason,"  replied  he,  "but  if  I  tell  you,  you  must 
promise  to  keep  it  a  secret,  and  do  as  I  do.  Whenever  I  take  up  a  book  to 
study,  I  first  say  a  little  prayer  my  mother  taught  me,  that  I  may  be  able  to 
learn  my  lessons." 

Judge  Gaston  has  often  been  heard  to  declare,  that  whatever  distinction  he 
had  attained  in  life,  was  owing  to  her  pious  counsel  and  ftxithful  conduct. J 
Under  her  eye  his  early  education  Avas  conducted.  In  the  fall  of  1791,  he 
was  sent  to  the  Catholic  College,  at  Georgetown,  then  only  fourteen  years 
old.  The  rigor  of  this  bleak  climate,  the  painful  and  rigid  discipline,  and 
exiled  from  the  comforts  and  attentions  of  afiection,  caused  his  health  to  give 
way,  and  in  the  spring  of  1793,  it  was  feared  that  he  was  sinking  under  a  con- 

*  Mrs.  Sigourney.  t  Women  of  the  Revolution,  ii.  139 

{  Life  and  character  of  William  Gaston,  by  Wm.  li.  Battle,  Chapel  Hill,  1844. 


CRAVEN  COUNTY.  115 

sumption  ;  and  it  was  arlvised  by  his  physicians  that  he  should'return  to  the 
mild  air  of  his  native  climate.  He  returned  home,  and  his  health  soon  im- 
proved. Under  the  care  of  the  Ilev.  Thomas  P.  Irwing,  he  was  prepared  for 
college.  He  entered  the  Junior  Class,  at  Princeton,  in  the  foil  of  1794.  He 
graduated  at  the  early  age  of  eighteen,  with  the  tirst  honors  of  that  renowned 
and  ancient  institution. 

Judge  Gaston  has  left  this  tribute  to  his  venerated  mother: — "  The  proudest 
moment  of  my  life,  was  when  I  conununicated  the  information  to  her  that  I  had 
not  only  graduated,  but  with  honor.'"*  Their  meeting  on  his  return  home, 
was  one  of  no  confmon  character.  Loaded  with  all  the  honors  of  science  and 
literature,  he  kneels  at  the  feet  of  her  who  was  the  author  of  his  being  and 
true  cause  of  his  success. 

He  studied  law  with  Francois  Xavier  Martin,  then  residing  in  Newbern  ; 
afterwards  the  author  of  a  History  of  North  Carolina,  and  late  Judge  in 
Louisiana,  whose  character  the  reader  has  just  read. 

In  1798,  before  his  arriving  at  manhood,  Mr.  Gaston  was  admitted  to  the 
bar.  The  elevation  of  his  brother-in-law,  John  Louis  Taylor,  to  the  bench 
in  that  year,  threw  all  his  business  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Gaston,  at  once 
heavy  and  lucrative.  To  his  well-disciplined  mind,  laborious  habits,  and  in- 
defatigable industry,  this  only  stimulated  him  to  increased  exertion.  He 
not  only  sustained  this  responsibility,  but  his  reputation  was  established  ;  it 
continued  to  increase  in  such  rapid  strides,  until  he  attained,  by  the  appro- 
bation of  all,  the  head  of  his  profession.  The  people,  who  delight  to  honor 
merit,  soon  perceived  the  rich  jewel  that  was  among  them.  When  only 
twenty-two,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Senate  (in  1800),  from  Craven 
County.  But  the  labors  of  his  profession,  and  duties  to  those  who  entrusted 
their  fortunes  and  lives  to  his  hands,  with  his  small  patrimony,  denied  to 
him  that  service  to  the  people  that  they  required.  He  did  not  appear  again 
in  public  life  until  1808,  Avhon  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Commons  from  Newbern,  of  which  body  he  was  chosen  Speaker.  He  was 
elector  on  the  Presidential  ticket  in  this  year.  After  his  re-election  to  the 
House  of  Commons  in  1(S09,  he  retired  from  the  House  of  Commons. 

But  he  was  not  allowed  to  remain  by  the  people  long  from  their  service. 
He  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress  in  1813  from  this  district,  and  re- 
elected in  1815. 

His  life  now  becomes  a  part  of  our  national  property,  and  we  may 
"  Read  its  history  in  a  nation's  eyes." 

This  period  was  one  of  extraordinary  excitement.  He  took  a  prominent 
stand  in  opposition  to  the  Administration,  sustained  as  it  was  by  the  ability 
of  Lowndes,  of  South  Carolina,  the  intellectual  power  of  Calhoun  of  the 
same  State,  and  the  resistless  eloquence  of  Clay,  of  Kentucky.  Amid  this 
galaxy  of  the  political  firmament,  the  bright  star  of  North  Carolina  shone 
with  peculiar  brilliancy,  even  amid  the  influence  of  Webster,  Grosvenor  and 
others.  It  is  not  the  province  or  the  part  of  the  historian  to  express  any 
opinion  as  to  the  political  course  of  individuals,  their  merits,  or  their  errors. 
His  duty  is  to  state  plainly  and  frankly  the  course  pursued,  and  let  each 
form  their  own  conclusions  as  to  its  propriety  or  correctness.  But  whatever 
line  of  conduct  Mr.  Gaston  pursued,  that  course  was  marked  by  talent,  labor, 
and  genius  of  the  highest  character.  His  efforts  in  Congress  on  "the  Pre- 
vious Question"  and  "  the  Loan  Bill,"  are  left  to  us,  and  have  attracted  the 
admiration  of  competent  judges,  for  their  power  and  eloquence. 

At  the  end  of  his  second  tei-m  he  voluntarily  resigned  his  charge  ;  and  at- 
tended to  the  laborious  duties  of  his  extended  practice  of  the  law. 

He  did  not  appear  again  in  public  life  until  1827,  when  from  the  increased 
indisposition  of  Mr.  Stanly,  who  had  been  elected  that  year  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Commons  from  Newbern,  a  vacancy  occurred,  and  Mr.  Gaston  was 
elected  to  supply  his  place.  This  he  accepted  as  a  matter  of  duty,  not  of  in- 
clination ;  as  a  return  of  gratitude  for  favors  received,  not  with  the  hope  of 
honors  or  laurels  yet  to  be  acquired. 

It  was  known  at  Raleigh  that  Mr.  Stanly  had  resigned  ;  but  it  was  not 

*  Eulog^^  by  Kobert  Strange,  Fayetteville,  1844. 


116  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

known  who  was  to  be  his  successor,  and  it  was  a  matter  of  some  interest  to 
know  upon  whom  the  mantle  of  this  distinguished  tactician  had  fallen.  No 
one  suspected  that  Mr.  Gaston  would  accept. 

The  writer  well  recollects  that,  while  sitting  in  the  office  of  Judge  Tay- 
lor, then  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  (the  house  now  occupied  by 
Judge  Saunders),  and  reading  under  his  care  the  elements  of  the  law,  that 
on  a  l)right  morning  in  Nov.,  1S27,  the  Newbern  stage  drove  up.  When  the 
State  House  bell  rung,  he  was  preparing  to  go  to  the  Capitol  to  attend  to  his 
duties  (he  was  that  year  a  member  from  his  native  county  of  Hertford,  and 
the  youngest  member  in  the  house),  he  met  at  the  door  Judge  Taylor,  who 
asked  him  in  the  house,  as  Mr.  Gaston  was  there.  He  was  introduced,  and 
Mr.  Gaston  accompanied  him  to  the  Capitol.  As  yet  it  was  not  known  to 
him  the  motive  of  the  introduction,  or  the  object  of  Mr.  Gaston  in  going  to 
the  Capitol.  When  we  reached  the  House  of  Commons,  all  eyes  were  turned 
upon  Mr.  Gaston,  then  in  the  zenith  of  his  fame  and  popularity.  He  pre- 
sented to  the  writer,  a  certificate  of  his  election,  as  the  member  from  Newbern, 
and  most  quietly  requested  him  to  present  it  to  the  House.  It  was  done. 
This  was  his  first  interview  with  this  distinguished  man,  and  his  first  motion 
in  the  House  of  Commons.  He  well  recollects  the  high  satisfaction  and  im- 
provement that  he  derived  from  an  intimate  and  personal  intercourse  with 
him — the  lessons  and  practical  wisdom  that  his  course  and  conversation 
afforded — the  charm  of  his  wit  in  private  circles — the  brilliancy  of  his  elo- 
quence in  the  Hall. 

_  Thomas  Settle,  now  a  judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  was  Speaker;  the  Judi- 
ciary Committee  was  :  Hon.  Frederick  Nash,  William  Gaston,  John  D.  Eccles, 
of  Fayetteville,  Jos.  A.  Hill,  of  Wilmington,  Geo.  E.  Spruill,  of  Halifax,  and 
John  H.  Wheeler,  of  Hertford. 

On  one  occasion,  when  Mr.  Nash,  now  of  the  Supreme  Court,  had  intro- 
duced a  bill  for  the  re-organization  of  that  court,  after  an  able  and  lucid 
explanation,  and  elaborate  speech  from  him,  during  the  delivery  of  which 
Mr.  Gaston  remained  as  immovable  as  a  statue,  with  folded  arms  and  eyes 
fixed  on  the  floor.  When  the  author  of  the  bill  had  finished,  Mr.  Gaston 
moved  an  adjournment. 

The  next  day  he  replied,  and  with  such  force  of  argument  and  such  power 
of  eloquence  in  opposition  to  the  bill,  that  its  distinguished  author  had  but 
few  adherents.  He  was  well  aware  of  the  importance  of  the  occasion,  the 
connection  of  the  court  with  the  vital  interests  of  the  State,  the  power  and 
ingenuity  of  the  advocate  of  the  present  measure.     He  met  the  combat  with 

"  That  stern  joy  which  warriors  feel 
In  meeting  foemen  worthy  of  their  steel." 

This  effort  cost  him  a  long  winter  night  of  study,  to  which  he  added  all  the 
power  of  argument  and  the  brilliancy  of  his  genius. 

_  Not  only  in  argument  was  he  powerful ;  in  repartee  and  wit  he  was  invin- 
cible. His  anecdotes  were  pointed  and  most  pungent,  and  his  sarcasm  was 
withering. 

He  served  in  the  following  year  and  in  1835.  He  then  left,  never  to  re- 
turn, the  legislative  arena,  the  scene  of  so  many  intellectual  conflicts,  and 
the  theatre  of  his  glory. 

In  li-!34,  he  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  to  supply  the  vacancy 
occasioned  by  the  death  of  Judge  Henderson.  W^ithout  any  solicitation  or 
suggestion  on  his  part,  all  eyes  turned  to  him  as  the  most  suitable  person  in 
the  State  for  this  elevated  position. 

Once  more  he  appeared  in  public  as  a  statesman,  in  the  Convention  of 
1835,  as  member  from  Craven,  to  amend  the  Constitution.  This  was  an 
important  occasion.  The  Constitution  formed  by  the  State  Congress  in  Nov. 
1776,  while  our  country  was  in  the  midst  of  war,  and  preparing  to  meet  its 
emergencies,  with  the  minds  of  the  members  occupied  by  its  stirring  and 
important  events,  was  not  free  from  errors  and  imperfections.  The  people 
felt  the  importance  of  the  occasion,  and  sent  their  ablest  men  to  devise  and 
consult— Nathaniel  Macon,  Judge  Daniel,  Richard  Dobbs  Spaight,  Jr.,  John 
Branch,  Daniel  L.  Swain,  and  others. 


CRAVEN  COUNTY.  117 

To  others  who  ■witnessed  the  intellectual  labors,  the  eloquent  efforts,  and 
patriotic  services  of  Mr.  Gaston  on  this  occasion,  is  left  the  duty  of  recording 
them.  Their  journal  and  their  debates  have  been  published.  His  speech 
on  the  32d  article,  which  was  supposed  to  exclude  Catholics  from  any  office 
or  place  of  trust  or  profit  in  this  State,  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  of 
the  case  (he  being  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church),  was  considered 
one  of  his  highest  intellectual  efforts,  and  was  extensively  published  and  read 
throughout  the  Union. 

This  was  the  last  service  he  ever  performed  in  a  representative  capacity. 
lie  now  applied  the  whole  vigor  of  his  capacious  mind  and  his  varied  ac- 
quirements, to  his  duties  as  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court.  He  was,  however, 
solicited  in  1840,  by  the  dominant  party,  to  accept  the  post  of  Senator  in 
Congress.  This  was  no  idle  compliment.  The  party  had  the  power  to 
elect  him  without  a  contest.  lie  had  but  to  give  his  consent  and  it  was  ac- 
complished.    But  to  that  solicitation  he  turned  a  deaf  ear. 

In  a  letter  to  General  John  Gray  Bynum,  dated  October,  1840,  which  does 
honor  to  his  head  and  his  heart,  he  says,  "  I  believe  the  faithful  j^erformance 
of  the  duties  of  the  office  I  now  hold,  by  the  kindness  of  my  fellow  citizens, 
is  as  important  to  the  public  welfare,  as  any  services  which  I  could  render 
in  the  political  station  to  which  you  invite  me.  To  give  a  wholesome  exposi- 
tion to  the  laws  ;  to  settle  the  fluctuations  and  reconcile  the  seeming  conflict- 
ing analogies  of  judicial  decisions ;  to  administer  justice  in  the  last  resort 
with  a  steady  hand  and  upright  purpose ;  appear  to  me  among  the  highest 
of  civil  functions.  And  so  long  as  God  spares  me  heaUh  and  understanding 
to  perform  these  faithfully,  how  can  I  better  serve  my  country  V 

This  elevated  position.  Senator  in  Congress,  the  most  dignified  in  our  land, 
and  preferable  to  even  the  Presidency  by  many,  was  declined  by  Judge 
Gaston.  Let  the  politician  in  his  toilsome  and  Sabbathless  career  for  pre- 
ferment, stop  and  admire  this  example. 

The  manner  in  which  he  discharged  his  important  duties  ;  his  profound  and 
varied  literature  ;  his  extensive  legal  knowledge  ;  his  severe  and  patient  re- 
search ;  his  polished  and  clear  compositions,  render  his  opinions  from  this 
exalted  tribunal,  not  only  monuments  of  legal  learning,  but  models  of  ele- 
gant literature.  A  much  higher  opinion  is  given  by  one  who  knew  him  lone 
and  knew  him  well,  pronounced  from  the  judgment  seat  (Chief  Justice 
Ruffin),  when  he  said,  "  he  was  a  great  Judge  and  a  good  man." 

His  opinion  in  case  of  State  v.  Will  ;*  and  his  dissenting  opinion  in  case 
of  State  V.  Miller;!  have  been  pronounced  by  onej  well  qualified  to  judge 
"one  of  the  finest  judicial  arguments  to  be  found  in  any  country.'' 

But  this  useful  citizen  and  valuable  officer  had  to  pass  the  same  ordeal 
that  all  must  encounter  : — 

"  Pallida  mors  aequo  pulsat  pede 
Pauperum  tabernas,  regumque  turres."| 

On  the  23d  January,  1844,  Judge  Gastox  took  his  seat  on  the  Supreme 
Court  bench.  He  complained ;  for  he  had  felt  for  some  days  chilly  sensa- 
tions, and  difficulty  of  breath.  During  an  argument  from  Hon.  Robert 
Sti'angc  at  the  bar,  he  was  attacked  with  faintness,  and  carried  from  the 
court  room  to  his  chamber.  A  physician  was  called  in,  who  soon  relieved 
him.  That  evening,  he  seemed  more  lively  than  usual.  He  told  several 
anecdotes,  at  which  his  friends  laughed  cordially.  It  was  but  the  flickering 
of  an  expiring  luminary.  He  was  relating  an  account  of  a  convivial  party 
at  Washington  city  with  graphic  delineation ;  and  spoke  of  one  who  on  that 
occasion,  avowed  himself  a  Free  Thinker  on  the  subject  of  religion. ||  "  From 
that  day,"  said  he,  "  I  viewed  that  man  with  distrust.  I  do  not  say  that  a 
Free  Thinker  may  not  from  education  and  high  motives  be  an  honorable 
man ;  hut  I  dare  not  trust  him.  A  belief  in  an  all-ruling  Providence,  Avho 
shapes  our  ends  and  will  reward  us  according  to  our  deeds,  is  necessary. 

*  1  Dev.  and  Battle  Rep.  121.  t  Ibid.  500  {  Hod.  W.  H.  Battle. 

§  "  Pale  Death  beats  with  equal  foot  at  the  cottages  of  the  poor  and  palaces  of  kings."' 
— Horace. 

II  Tobias  Watkins,  late  Auditor  of  the  Treasury. 


118  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

We  must  believe  and  feel  that  there  is  a  God,  Allwise  and  Almighty."  As 
he  pronounced  this  last  word,  he  raised  himself  up  from  his  bed  to  give  it 
greater  emphasis ;  in  a  moment,  there  seemed  a  sudden  rush  of  blood  to  the 
brain,  and  he  fell  back  a  lifeless  corpse.  His  spirit  fled  from  the  scenes  of 
earth  to  meet  that  God  in  vrhom  he  had  throughout  his  -whole  life  trusted, 
and  vrhose  Almighty  name  last  vibrated  from  his  tongue. 

Of  such  a  man  may  our  State  be  well  proud.  She  has  inscribed  his  name  on 
her  towns  and  counties,  and  as  long  as  talents  are  revered,  services  honored, 
and  virtue  esteemed,  the  name  of  Gaston  will  be  cherished. 

His  taste  for  poetry  was  of  an  elevated  character,  which  he  had  cultivated 
to  some  extent.     The  following  lines  are  from  his  pen : — 

THE  OLD  NORTH  STATE  FOR  EVER. 

Carolina!  Carolina!  Heaven's  blessings  attend  her! 
"While  we  live,  we  will  cherish  and  love  and  defend  her ; 
Though  the  scorner  may  sneer  at,  and  witlings  defame  her, 
Our  hearts  swell  with  gladness,  whenever  we  name  her. 

Hurrah  !  Hurrah  !  ihe  old  North  State  for  ever ! 

Hurrah!  Hurrah!  the  good  old  North  State  ! 

Though  she  envies  not  others  their  merited  glory, 
Say,  whose  name  stands  the  foremost  in  Liberty's  story  ! 
Though  too  true  to  herself,  e'er  to  crouch  to  oppression, 
Who  can  yield  to  just  rule  more  loyal  submisision? 
Hurrah,  &c. 

Plain  and  artless  her  sons,  but  whose  doors  open  faster. 
At  the  knock  of  the  stranger,  or  the  tale  of  disaster  ? 
How  like  to  the  rudeness  of  their  dear  native  mountains. 
With  rich  ore  in  their  bosoms,  and  lite  in  their  fountains. 
Hurrah,  &c. 

And  her  daughters,  the  Queen  of  the  forest  resembling, 
So  graceful,  so  constant,  yet  to  gentlest  breath  trembling, 
And  true  lightwood  at  heart,  let  the  match  be  applied  them. 
How  they  kindle  and  flame  ?     Oh,  none  know  but  who've  tried  them. 
Hurrah,  &c. 

Then  let  all  who  love  us,  love  the  land  that  we  live  in, 

(As  happy  a  region  as  on  this  side  of  Heaven,) 

Where  Plenty  and  Freedom,  Love  and  Peace  smile  before  us, 

Raise  aloud,  raise  together,  the  heart  thrilling  chorus  ! 

Hurrah!  Hurrah!  the  old  North  State  forever! 

Hurrah  !  Hurrah  !  the  good  old  North  State  ! 

He  was  thrice  married.  On  the  4th  Sept.,  1803,  to  Miss  Susan  Hay  (daughter 
of  John  Hay,  of  Fayetteville). 

On  Oct.  Gth,  1805,  to  Hannah  McClure,  the  only  daughter  of  General  McClure, 
who  died  on  the  12th  of  July,  1813,  leaving  one  son  and  two  daughters  ;  and 
in  August,  1816,  he  married  again,  Eliza  Ann  Worthington,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Charles  Worthington,  of  Georgetown,  D,  C.  She  died  Jan.  2Gth,1819,  leaving 
two  infant  daughters. 

The  General  Assembly,  at  its  next  session  (1845),  through  Dr.  Thomas  N. 
Cameron,  late  Senator  from  Cumberland,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  to  whom 
the  subject  was  referred,  reported  the  following  resolutions: — 

RESOLUTIONS  ON  THE  DEATH  OF  WILLIAM  GASTON, 

Adopted  unanimously  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of 
North  Carolina,  at  the  Session  of  1844-45,  and  ordered  to  be  re- 
corded in  the  Journals  of  both  houses  : — 

The  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina  have  learned  that  since  their  last 
session,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  of  our  citizens  has  died.  On  the  23d 
of  January,  1844,  William  Gaston,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  North  Carolina,  after  an  illness  of  a  few  hours  departed  this  life.     The 


i 


CRAVEN  COUXTY.  119 

General  Assembly  of  the  State,  from  the  unsullied  character  and  inestimable 
worth  of  this  distinguished  citizen,  is  conscious  that  no  acts  or  words  can  ex- 
press their  deep  veneration  for  his  character,  or  their  sorrow  for  his  irrepara- 
ble loss. 

"  Storied  urn,  or  animated  bust,"  cannot  remind  us  more  sensibly  of  his 
exalted  worth  ;  for  this  is  impressed  deeply  on  every  heart. 

Literally  baptized  in  the  blood  of  his  distinguished  ancestor  who  fell  in  the 
revolutionary  struggles  of  our  country,  he  was  early  impressed  with  an  aliid- 
ing  love  of  his  native  State,  and  devoted  the  whole  energies  of  his  well  dis- 
ciplined mind  to  its  service. 

In  all  the  varied  stations  of  importance  to  which  he  was  called  by  the  con- 
fidence of  his  fellow-citizens,  he  devoted  with  untiring  energy  all  the  powers 
of  his  mind  to  the  promotion  of  the  public  weal.  As  a  man,  he  was  exem- 
plary in  all  the  relations  of  life  ;  a  devoted  husband,  an  affectionate  father.  As 
a  statesman,  he  was  pure  and  patriotic;  the  honor  of  his  country  was  the 
chief  object  of  his  heart.  As  an  advocate,  he  was  faithful  and  zealous.  As 
a  Judge,  he  was  learned  and  impartial ;  and  he  died,  as  the  whole  of  his  life 
had  been  spent,  in  the  service  of  the  State. 

When  such  a  man  dies  the  State  may  well  mourn.  The  sensation  caused 
by  his  death  testified  the  estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  countrymen. 
Nothing  could  exceed  his  long,  bright,  and  glorious  career  in  life,  but  the 
tranquil  manner  in  which  he  left  it. 

We  are  informed  by  the  proceedings  of  the  Supreme  Court,  on  the  mournful 
occasion  of  his  death,  that  at  the  moment  of  his  dissolution  his  mind  was 
cheerful,  and  his  conversation  instructive.  Full  of  years,  and  full  of  honors, 
he  left  without  a  struggle  or  a  murmur,  a  world  of  gloom  for  an  eternity  of 
gloi'y.  Truly  was  it  said  by  one  who  knew  him  long,  and  knew  him  well, 
"  he  was  a  good  man  and  a  great  Judge." 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  feel  their  inability 
to  express  their  own  feelings,  or  those  of  their  constituents,  in  view  of  the 
loss  which  the  State  has  sustained  ;  yet  they  deem  it  due  to  the  memory  of 
departed  talents,  and  gratitude  for  his  long  and  faithful  services,  to  offer  the 
following 

RESOLUTIONS. 

Resolved,  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  that  in 
the  death  of  William  Gaston,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  the 
State  has  experienced  a  loss  of  one  of  its  most  patriotic  citizens,  a  faithful 
public  servant,  and  a  learned  and  impartial  judge.  That  in  the  course  of  a 
long  and  varied  life,  his  bright  career  is  left  to  us  an  example  worthy  of 
imitation,  and  his  unsullied  character  one  of  the  brightest  jewels  of  the  State. 

Resolved,  That  the  Governor  of  the  State  transmit  a  copy  of  these  resolu- 
tions, with  the  preamble,  to  the  family  of  the  deceased ;  and  that  they  be 
spread  on  the  journals  of  both  branches  of  the  General  Assembly.* 

Hon.  John  Sitgreaves  was  a  resident  of  Newbern.  He  was  appointed  a 
Lieutenant  by  the  State  Congress  in  177C,  in  Captain  Cassell's  company.  He 
was  in  the  battle  of  Camden  (August,  1780)  as  aid  to  Governor  Caswell.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  1784,  and  from  1787  to  1789, 
was  in  the  Legislature,  from  Newbern. 

He  succeeded  Judge  John  Stokes  as  U.  S.  District  Judge  of  North  Carolina, 
appointed  by  Mr.  Jefferson.  Mr.  Jefferson's  private  journal  has  the  follow- 
ing:— 

"  1789.  Hawkins  recommended  John  Sitgreaves  as  a  very  clever  gentle- 
man, of  good  deportment,  well  skilled  in  the  law  for  a  man  of  his  aj^e,  and 
should  he  live  long  enough,  he  will  be  an  ornament  to  his  profession.  Spaight 
and  Blount  concurring,  he  was  nominated." 

*  These  resolutions  passed  unanimously  both  liouses,  and  were,  by  order,  spread  upon 
their  journals  ;  and  were  prepared  ou  this  occasion,  at  the  request  of  the  Chainuan,  Ijy  the 
Author  of  these  sketches. 

17 


120  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

He  died  at  Halifax  in  1800,  where  he  lies  buried,  and  was  succeeded  by  the 
lion.  Henry  Potter. 

Rev.  Thomas  P.  Irtine  was  celebrated  "in  the  olden  time"  of  Newbern  aa 
a  teacher.  Many  anecdotes,  rich  in  humor,  might  have  been  detailed  of  him, 
for  he  was  a  man 


-if  severe  in  aught, 


The  love  lie  bore  to  learning  was  his  fault." 

He  was  a  scholar  "  rare  and  ripe,"  and  prepared  some  of  our  first  men  with 
great  cai-e  for  the  duties  of  life.  Many,  whose  hands  have  since  guided  the 
afiairs  of  State,  have  felt  the  stringent  application  of  his  Tippoo  Saib,  and 
many  whose  shoulders  have  been  honored  by  the  ermine  of  the  laws,  early 
felt  the  infliction  of  his  Great  Mogul.     Peace  to  his  manes  ! 

Richard  Dobbs  Spaight,  son  of  Governor  Spaight,  was  born  in  Newbern 
in  1796 ;  educated  at  the  University,  at  which  he  graduated  in  1815.  He 
was  a  lawyer  by  profession.  He  was  first  elected  to  the  Legislature  in  1819, 
in  the  House  of  Commons.  In  1820  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate,  and  also 
in  1821  and  1822. 

In  1823,  he  was  elected  to  Congress  from  this  district,  and  served  one  Con- 
gress. He  was  elected  to  the  Senate  again  in  1824,  and  served  continuously 
until  1834,  when  he  was  elected  Governor  of  the  State. 

After  this  he  never  was  in  the  public  service,  but  declining  all  political 
honors,  devoted  himself  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  died  in  1850,  much 
esteemed  by  his  fellow  citizens,  as  a  liberal  politician  and  courteous  gentle- 
man.    He  never  was  married. 

John  R.  Donnell,  of  this  county,  was  born  in  Ireland ;  educated  at  the 
University,  and  graduated  in  1807,  with  the  first  honors  of  this  venerable  in- 
stitution.    He  studied  law,  and  entered  the  practice  with  great  success. 

In  1815,  he  was  elected  Solicitor  of  the  Newbern  Circuit,  and  in  1819, 
elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  which  he  resigned  in  1836.  He  has 
"chosen  the  wise  part,"  avoided  politics,  and  now  enjoys,  "in  a  green  old 
age,''  affluence,  and  the  respect  of  all  who  know  him.  He  married  a  daughter 
of  the  first  Governor,  Richard  Dobbs  Spaight,  by  whom  he  has  had  several 
children.     One  of  whom  was 

Hon.  Richard  S.  Donnell,  who  was  in  Congress  from  this  district  in  1847, 
and  served  one  Congress.  One  of  the  daughters  married  the  Hon.  Chai-les  B. 
Shepard,  and  who  is  now  his  widow ;  another,  James  B.  Shepard,  Esq.,  of 
Raleigh. 


'to' 


Hon.  Charles  Biddle  Shepard  was  born  in  Newbern  on  the  5th  December, 
1807  ;  was  graduated  at  Chapel  Hill  in  1827  ;  elected  a  member  of  Congress 
from  this  district  in  1837,  <ind  served  until  1841.  He  died  in  October,  1843.  He 
Avas  twice  married,  first  to  Miss  Jones,  who  died,  leaving  one  son ;  and 
secondly  to  Mary  Donnell,  who  survived  him,  with  two  children.  He  died 
31st  October,  1843. 

He  was  distinguished  as  a  man  of  ready  genius,  unquestioned  talent,  and 
indomitable  courage. 

Hon,  John  II.  Bryan,  now  of  Raleigh,  is  a  native  of  Newbern,  and  his 
family  were  early  distinguished  for  their  devotion  to  liberty  and  popular 
rights.  In  the  State  Congress  of  November,  1776,  at  Halifax,  three  of  his 
name  were  members.     He  was  born  in  1798. 

Mr.  Bryan  entered  the  Legislature  in  the  Senate  in  1823,  and  served  the 
next  session.  The  next  summer,  while  absent  fi'om  home,  he  was  elected 
again  to  the  Senate  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  a  member  of  Congress  from 
the  Newbern  District,  a  circumstance  almost  unprecedented  in  political  his- 
tory, and  shows  his  unbounded  popularity.  He  served  in  Congress  during 
the  whole  administration  of  John  Quincj  Adams;  when  he  declined,  prefer- 


CRAVEN  COUNTY.  121 

ring  the  quiet  joys  of  home,  and  the  pursuit  of  his  profession,  to  the  troubled 
waters  of  political  life. 

He  was  educated  to  the  law,  of  which  profession  he  is,  at  this  time, 

"  A  well  deserving  pillar." 

He  married  the  daughter  of  William  Shepard,  Esq.,  of  Newbern,  and  sister 
to  the  Hon.  Charles  B.  Shepard,  Hon.  Wm.  B.  Shepard,  and  James  B. 
Shepard,  Esq.,  by  whom  he  has  a  large  and  interesting  family.  One  of  them, 
Lieut.  Francis  T.  Bryan,  of  the  Topographical  Engineers,  has  distinguished 
himself  in  the  army  by  his  gallantry  and  diligence  in  his  profession.  He  was 
brevetted  for  his  gallantry  and  good  conduct  at  Buena  Vista. 

Hon.  George  E.  Badger,  now  one  of  our  senators  in  Congress,  is  a  native 
of  Newbern.  He  was  born  in  1795.  His  father  was  a  firm  Whig,  and  a  native 
of  Connecticut ;  his  mother,  a  daughter  of  Richard  Cogdell,  who,  with  Dr. 
Alexander  Gaston,  was  of  the  Provincial  Council  of  Safety  for  the  Newbern 
District  in  1775.  He  was  educated  at  Yale  College ;  read  law  with  Hon. 
John  Stanly,  who  was  his  near  relative,  and  whom  he  succeeded  in  the  Legis- 
lature in  1816. 

He  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  in  1820,  which  he  resigned  in 
1825. 

He  was  Secretary  of  the  Navy  under  General  Harrison  in  1841,  which  he 
resigned  soon  afterwards. 

In  1816  eletted  a  senator  in  Congress ;  and  was  re-elected  in  1848,  which 
distinguished  post  he  now  occupies. 

He  has  been  thrice  married.  His  first  wife  was  a  daughter  of  Gov.  Turner, 
of  Warren ;  his  second  a  daughter  of  Col.  Polk,  and  his  third  (and  pre- 
sent wife),  Mrs.  Williams,  who  was  a  daughter  of  late  Sherwood  Haywood, 
Esq.,  of  Baleigh. 

Hon.  Matthias  E.  Manly  is  a  resident  of  Craven,  but  a  native  of  Chatr 
ham.  He  was  educated  at  the  University,  at  which  he  graduated  in  1824, 
in  same  class  with  Hon.  Wm.  A.  Graham,  now  Secretary  of  the  Navy;  Hon. 
Augustus  Moore,  late  Judge  of  Superior  Court ;  and  Hon.  David  Outlaw,  at 
present  in  Congress.  He  divided  the  first  honor  with  Gov.  Graham,  Profes- 
sor Simms,  and  late  Thomas  Dews,  of  Lincoln  County. 

He  studied  law  with  his  brother,  Hon.  Charles  Manly,  of  Raleigh,  and  was 
first  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  in  1834  from  the  town  of 
Newbern,  and  represented  it  again  in  1835.  He  was  the  last  representative 
of  that  ancient  and  literary  borough,  the  Convention  to  amend  the  Consti- 
tution in  1835,  having  abolished  its  right  of  representation. 

In  1840  he  was  elected  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  by  the  General  As- 
sembly, which  responsible  position  he  now  occupies. 

Judge  Manly  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  a  daughter  of 
the  distinguished  William  Gaston,  and  the  second,  Miss  Simpson. 

Hon.  Wm.  H.  Washington  is  a  resident  of  this  county.  He  is  by  profes- 
sion a  lawyer. 

He  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress  in  1841,  and  served  until  1843. 

In  1844  he  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  Craven,  and  in 
1846. 

In  1848  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Senate,  and  re-elected  in  1850, 
which  position,  alike  useful  to  his  country  and  honorable  to  himself,  he  now 
occupies. 

On  7th  Feb.  1847,  Capt.  J.  H.  K.  Burgwin,  a  native  of  this  section,  captain 
in  1st  Regiment  of  U.  S.  Dragoons,  died  at  Taos  in  New  Mexico,  from  a 
wound  in  his  breast,  from  a  rifle  ball  received  in  action  on  the  fifth  of  that 
month  with  the  Pueblo  Indians. 

Although  Craven  presents  so  far  a  record  of  patriotism,  yet  truth  compels 
the  record  to  speak  that  there  were  some  exceptions. 


122 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


The  Journal  of  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  5th  Dec.  1776,  shows  that, 
"William  Heath,  of  the  town  of  Newbern,  charged  with  Toryism,  was 
taken  in  custody  and  imprisoned  by  order  of  Congress." 

Many  other  names  might  be  mentioned  in  connection  with  her 
history  and  that  of  her  distinguished  sons.  But  we  have  akeady 
allotted  to  her  far  more  than  her  average  portion  of  space,  and 
leave  for  another  edition,  or  some  other  abler  hand,  to  complete 
her  history,  which  of  itself  might  form  a  respectable  volume. 

NEWBERN. 


LIST  OF  MEMBERS  TO  THE  HOUSE  OF  COMMONS. 


Years.        House  of  Commons. 

1777.  Abner  Nash. 

1778.  Richard  Cogdell. 

1779.  Richard  Cogdell. 

1780.  James  Green,  Jun. 

1781.  Richard  D.  Soaight. 

1782.  Richard  D.  Spaight. 

1783.  Richard  D.  Spaight. 

1784.  Spvers  Singleton. 

1785.  William  Lisdale. 

1786.  John  Sitgreaves. 

1787.  John  Sitgreaves. 

1788.  John  Sitgreaves. 

1789.  John  Sitgreaves. 

1791.  James  Coor. 

1792.  Richard  D.  Spaight. 

1793.  Isaac  Guion. 

1794.  Daniel  Carthy. 

1795.  Isaac  Guion. 

1796.  Thomas  Badger. 

1797.  Edward  Graham. 

1798.  John  Stanly. 

1799.  John  Stanly. 

1800.  George  Ellia. 

1801.  George  Ellis. 

1802.  Edward  Harris. 

1803.  Edward  Harris. 

1804.  Frederick  Nash. 

1805.  Frederick  Nash. 

1806.  Francis  X.  Martin. 


Years.        House  of  Commons. 

1807.  Francis  X.  Martin. 

1808.  William  Gaston. 

1809.  William  Gaston. 

1810.  Daniel  Carthy. 

1811.  Daniel  Carthy. 

1812.  John  Stanly. 

1813.  John  Stanly. 

1814.  John  Stanly. 

1815.  John  Stanly. 

1816.  George  E.  Badger. 

1818.  John  Stanly. 

1819.  John  Stanly. 

1820.  Edward  E.  Graham, 

1821.  Francis  L.  Hawks. 

1822.  E.  E.  Graham. 

1823.  John  Stanly. 

1824.  William  Gaston. 

1825.  John  Stanly. 

1826.  John  Stably. 

1827.  William  Gaston. 

1828.  William  Gaston. 

1829.  Charles  B.  Spaight. 

1830.  Charles  B.  Spaight. 

1831.  William  Gaston. 

1832.  Charles  B.  Shepard. 

1833.  Charles  B.  Shepard. 

1834.  Matthias  E.  Manly. 

1835.  Matthias  E.  Manly. 


CRAVEN  COUNTY. 
Years.  Senate.  Members  of  House  of  Commons. 

John  Tillman,  Nathan  Bryan. 
Nathan  Bryan,  Abner  Nash. 
Hardy  Bryan,  Benj.  Williams, 
Wm.  Bryan,  William  Blount. 
Wm.  Bryan,  John  Tillman. 
Wm.  Bryan,  John  Tillman. 
Wm.  Blount,  William  Bryan. 
William  Blount,  AVilliam  Bryan. 
Richard  D.  Spaight,  Abner  Neale. 
Richard  D.  Spaight,  Abner  Neale. 
Richard  Nixon,  Richard  D.  Spaight. 
Richard  Nixon,  John  Allen. 


1777. 

James  Coor, 

1778. 

James  Coor, 

1779. 

James  Coor, 

1780. 

James  Coor, 

1781. 

James  Coor, 

1782. 

James  Coor, 

1783. 

James  Coor, 

1784. 

James  Coor, 

1785. 

James  Coor, 

1786. 

James  Coor, 

1787. 

James  Coor, 

1788. 

Benjamin  Williama; 

CRAVEN  COUNTY. 


123 


Years. 

1789. 

1790. 

1791. 

1792. 

1793. 

1794. 

1795. 

1796. 

1797. 

1798. 

1799. 

1800. 

1801. 

1802. 

1803. 

1804. 

1805. 

1806. 

1807. 

1808. 

1809. 

1810. 

1811. 

1812. 

1813. 

1814. 

1815. 

1816. 

1817. 

1818. 

1819. 

1820. 

1821. 

1822. 

1823. 

1824. 

1825. 

1826. 

1827. 

1828. 

1829. 

1830. 

1831. 

1832. 

1833. 

1834. 

1835. 

1836. 
1838. 
1840. 
1842. 
1844. 
1846. 
1848. 
1850, 


Senate. 
James  Coor, 
John  Bi\yan, 
John  Carney, 
John  Carney, 
John  Carney, 
John  C.  Bryan, 
John  C.  Bryan, 
Wm.  McClure, 
Wm.  McClure, 
John  Bryan, 
.John  Bryan, 
William  Gaston, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
John  Bryan, 
Stephen  Harris, 
Wm.  Bryan, 
Wm.  Bryan, 
Wm.  Bryan, 
Wm.  Bryan, 
Henry  Tillman, 
Wm.  Bryan, 
John  S.  West, 
John  S.  West, 
William  Gaston, 
Vine  Allen, 
Wright  Stanly, 
Reuben  P.  Jones, 
John  S.  Smith, 
John  S.  Smith, 
William  Gaston, 
William  Gaston, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
John  H.  Bryan, 
John  n.  Bryan, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Richard  D.  Spaight, 
Thos.  J.  Pasteur, 
John  M.  Bryan, 
Saml.  J.  Biddle, 
Thos.  J.  Pasteur, 
Thos.  J.  Pasteur, 
Thos.  J.  Pasteur, 
N.  H.  Street, 


Members  of  House  of  Commons. 
Richard  Nixon,  John  Allen. 
Levi  Dawson,  John  Allen. 
Levi  Dawson,  John  Allen. 
John  Tillman,  John  Allen. 
John  Tillman,  John  Allen.  \ 

John  Tillman,  John  Allen. 
John  Spence  West,  Wm.  Bryan. 
John  S.  AVest,  Wm.  Bryan. 
Henry  Tillman,  AVm.  Blackledge. 
Philip  Neale,  William  Blackledge. 
Philip  Neale,  William  Blackledge. 
James  Gatling,  John  S.  Nelson. 
Lewis  Fonville,  Henry  Tillman. 
Lewis  Fonville,  Wm.  Bryan. 

Lewis  Fonville,  Wm.  Bryan. 
Jno.  S.  Richardson,  Lewis  Fonville. 
John  S.  Nelson,  Chas.  Hatch. 
Lewis  Fonville,  John  S.  Nelson. 
Edward  Harris,  John  S.  Nelson. 

Stephen  Harris,  John  S.  Nelson. 

Wm.  Blackledge,  John  S.  Nelson. 

Vine  Allen,  John  S.  Nelson. 

Vine  Allen,  John  S.  Nelson. 

Henry  Tillman,  Fred.  J.  Cox. 

Fred.  J.  Cox,  Benners  Vail. 

Henry  Carroway,  James  Ray. 

Joseph  Nelson. 

John  S.  Nelson,  Thos.  O'Bryan. 

John  S.  Nelson,  Thos.  O'Bryan. 

Abner  Neale,  Vine  Allen. 

Richd.  D.  Spaight,  Abner  Neale, 

Amos  Rowe,  Wm.  S.  Blackledge. 

John  M.  Bryan. 

John  M.  Brvan,  James  C.  Cole. 

John  M.  Bryan,  S.  Whitehurst. 

S.  Whitehurst,  T.  C.  Bryan. 

Saml.  Whitehurst,  Andrew  H.  Richardson. 

Andrew  H.  Richardson,  Saml.  Whitehurst. 

Chas.  J.  Nelson,  Lucas  Benners. 

Chas.  J.  Nelson,  John  M.  Bryan. 

Nathl.  Smith,  John  ]M.  Bryan. 

John  M.  Bryan,  Alex.  F.  Gaston. 

Abner  Hartley,  Wm.  M.  Nelson. 
Abner  Hartley,  Wm.  M.  Nelson. 
John  B.  Dawson,  F.  P.  Latham, 
Abner  Hartley,  F.  P.  Latham. 
John  M.  Bryan,  Abner  Neale. 
Abner  Hartley,  Abner  Neale. 
Saml.  Ilyman,  Wm.  C.  Wadsworth. 
Saml.  Ilyman,  Wm.  C.  Wadsworth. 
Oliver  S.  Dewey,  Nathl.  II.  Street. 


Wm.  II.  Washington,  F.  J.  Prentiss. 

Wm.  II.  Washington,  II.  T.  Guion. 
Wm.  IL  Washington,  W.  C.  Wadsworth,  Geo.  S.  Stevenson. 
Wm.  II.  Washington,  Geo.  C,  Stevenson,  A.  J.  Jerkins. 


124  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 


CUMBERLAND   COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation — Situation  and  boundaries — Population  and  products — 
Fayetteville  its  capital — Colonial  and  Revolutionary  history — The  cha- 
racter of  Farquard  Campbell,  Flora  MacDonald,  William  Duffy,  John  Louia 
Taylor,  late  Chief  Justice  of  Supreme  Court;  John  D.  Toomer,  late  Judge 
of  Supreme  Court ;  Robert  Strange,  late  Judge  of  Superior  Court,  and 
Senator  in  Congress;  Louis  D.  Henry,  and  others. 

Cumberland  County  was  formed  in  1754,  from  the  upper  part 
of  Bladen ;  derives  its  name  from  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  at  that 
time  very  popular  as  a  brave  officer  in  England.* 

It  is  situated  in  nearly  the  centre  of  the  State,  having  Wake 
County,  the  seat  of  government,  on  the  north ;  Johnston  and 
Sampson  on  the  east;  Bladen  and  Robeson  on  the  south;  Richmond 
and  Moore  Counties  on  the  west. 

Its  capital  town  is  Fayetteville.  This  flourishing  and  ancient 
town  was  settled  in  1762.  It  was  first  called  Campbelltown,  then 
Cross  Creek,  and  in  1784,  its  name  was  changed  to  Fayetteville,  in 
honor  of  General  Lafayette,  who  was  a  native  of  France,  and  who 
perilled  his  life  and  fortune  in  the  cause  of  liberty.  He  was  a 
Major-General  in  the  American  army,  fought  in  her  battles,  was 
wounded  at  Brandywine,  and  having  aided  in  the  freedom  of  this 
country,  he  returned  to  his  native  land. 

Fayetteville  is  distant  from  Raleigh  sixty  miles.  It  is  located  on 
the  Cape  Fear  River,  which  is  navigable  to  this  place  for  steam 
and  other  boats. 

On  the  29th  of  May,  1,831,  Fayetteville  was  almost  wholly 
destroyed  by  fire. 

The  population  of  Cumberland,  according  to  the  census  of  1850,  is  12,447 
whites;  7,217  slaves;  940  free  negroes;  17,723  representative  population. 
Its  products,  according  to  the  census  of  1840,  were  : — • 

6,037  bushels  of  wheat,  459,747  pounds  of  cotton, 

16,577       "  oats,  16,800       "  wool, 

3,019       "  rye,  1,794  barrels  of  turpentine, 

291,630       "  corn,  78,540  dollars  worth  of  lumber. 

THE  UNITED  STATES  ARSENAL. 

This  Arsenal  is  located  at  Fayetteville,  and  is  commanded  by 
Capt.  A.  B.  Dyer,  Ordnance  Corps,  is  still  unfinished  and  under 
construction — will  be  finished  in  two  years.     There  are  no  enlisted 

*  See  Revised  Statutes,  ii.  118.    Martin's  History  of  N.  C. 


CUMBERLAND  COUNTY.  125 

men  at  tlie  Arsenal.  The  building  operations  are  being  conducted 
by  hired  mechanics  and  laborers.  Supplies  of  ordnance,  munitions 
of  war,  &c.  considerable,  and  yearly  increased. 

The  County  of  Cumberland  early  presented  a  firm  devotion  to 
liberty. 

The  delegates  to  the  General  Assembly  of  Deputies,  at  Newbern,  on  the 
25th  of  August,  1774,  were  Farquard  Campbell,  and  Thomas  Rutherford. 

At  the  same  place,  on  the  3d  of  April,  1775,  the  same  were  delegates. 

At  the  meeting  at  Ilillsboro',  on  the  21st  of  August,  1775,  were  Farquard 
Campbell,  Thomas  Rutherford,  Alexander  McAllister,  David  Smith,  and 
Alexander  McKay. 

In  June,  1775,  an  Association  was  formed  in  Cumberland. 

I  copy  from  the  original  paper  now  in  the  Executive  office,  in  Raleigh,  and 
communicated  by  a  letter  from  Thomas  J.  Robinson,  of  Cumberland  County, 
in  December,  1830,  to  General  Thomas  G.  Polk. 

The  Association,  June  20,  1775. 

The  actual  commencement  of  hostilities  against  the  continent,  by  the 
British  troops,  in  the  bloody  scene  on  the  19th  of  April  last,  near  Boston, 
the  increase  of  arbitrary  impositions  from  a  wicked  and  despotic  Ministry, 
and  the  dread  of  instigated  insurrections  in  the  colonies,  are  causes  sufficient 
to  drive  an  oppressed  people  to  the  use  of  arms.  We,  therefore,  the  sub- 
scribers, of  Cumberland  County,  holding  ourselves  bound  by  the  most  sacred 
of  all  obligations,  the  duty  of  good  citizens  towards  an  injured  country,  and 
thoroughly  convinced,  that,  under  our  distressed  circumstances,  we  shall 
be  justified  in  resisting  force  by  force,  do  unite  ourselves  under  every  tie  of 
religion  and  honor,  and  associate  as  a  band  in  her  defence  against  every  foe, 
hereby  solemnly  engaging,  that  whenever  our  Continental  or  Provincial 
Councils  shall  decree  it  necessary,  we  will  go  forth  and  be  ready  to  sacrifice 
our  lives  and  fortunes  to  secure  her  freedom  and  safety.  This  obligation  to 
continue  in  full  force  until  a  reconciliation  shall  take  place  between  Great 
Britain  and  America,  upcn  constitutional  principles,  an  event  we  most 
ardently  desire  ;  and  we  will  hold  all  those  persons  inimical  to  the  liberty  of 
the  colonies,  who  shall  refuse  to  subscribe  to  this  Association  ;  and  we  will 
in  all  things  follow  the  advice  of  our  General  Committee  respecting  the  pur- 
poses aforesaid,  the  preservation  of  peace  and  good  order,  and  the  safety  of 
individual  and  private  property.     Signed, 

Robert  Rowan,  Theophilus  Evans,  David  Shepherd, 

Lewis  Barge,  Thomas  Moody,  Micajah  Farrell, 

Maurice  Nowlan,  Jos.  Do  Lespine,  John  Wilson, 

Lewis  Powell,  Arthur  Council,  James  Emmet, 

Martin  Lennard,  John  Oliver,  Aaron  Yardej', 

George  Fletcher,  Charles  Stevens,  John  Parker, 

Walter  Murray,  AVm.  Ilerrin,  Philip  Ilerrin, 

David  Evans,  Robert  Verner,  James  Gee, 

John  Elwell,  David  Dunn,  Wm.  White, 

Benjamin  Elwell,  Simon  Banday,  Joshua  lladley, 

Joseph  Green,  John  Jones,  William  Blocker, 

Robert  Green,  Robert  Council,  Sam'l  Hollingsworth, 

Robert  Carver,  Samuel  Carver,  Wm.  Carver. 

This  paper,  considering  the  time  (June,  1775),  and  the  sentiments 
expressed,  is  but  little  behind  the  famed  Mecklenburg  Kesolves. 

This  important  paper  is  deposited  in  the  Governor's  office,  at 
Raleigh,  Avherc  it  can  be  examined;  but  I  have  given  above  a  true 
copy. 

With  Cumberland  County  is  connected  the  romantic  history  of 
Flora  MacDonald,  which  has  excited  the  imagination  of  Mr.  Jones, 


126  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Mrs.  Ellet,  and  Mr.  Foote,  in  their  several  productions.*  In  our 
labors  we  have  studiously  avoided  any  allurement  to  draw  upon 
the  fancy  or  imagination.     We  deal  only  in  facts  and  figures. 

The  hopes  of  Charles  Edward,  grandson  of  James  2d,  to  ascend  the  En- 
glish throne,  were  destroyed  on  the  fatal  field  of  CuUoden.   (IGth  April,  1746.) 

In  1747t  Neal  McNeal,  from  the  west  of  Scotland,  purchased  lands  near 
Cross  Creek  (now  Fayetteville),  which  he  settled  in  1749,  with  five  or  sis 
hundred  colonists. 

Embarrassed  by  pecuniary  matters  at  home,  and  encouraged  by  the  reports 
of  the  numbers  of  their  countrymen  who  had  flocked  to  the  Cape  Fear,  in 
1775,  Allan  MacDonald  and  his  wife  Flora  left  Scotland,  and  landed  in 
North  Carolina.  They  took  up  their  abode  in  Fayetteville.  The  history  of 
Flora  MacDonald  had  been  connected  with  the  escape  of  Charles  Edward 
from  the  English.  The  Pretender  had  sought  concealment  in  the  highlands 
of  Scotland.  A  price  had  been  set  upon  his  head,  and  he  was  hunted  from 
mountain  to  dell,  and  fi-om  crag  to  cavern.  Escape  seemed  impossible. 
Flora  was  on  a  visit  to  this  part  of  Scotland  from  Milll>ury,  on  her  return 
from  Edinburgh,  and  it  was  suggested  that  the  Prince  should  be  arrayed  in 
female  clothes,  and  return  with  Flora  as  a  waiting-maid.  But  even  this  step 
was  dangerous  and  diificult.  Every  place  was  watched,  and  every  pass 
guarded  by  the  troops  of  the  Duke  of  Cumberland.  Flora's  own  father-in- 
law,  Captain  Hugh  MacDonald,  was  one  of  the  officers  in  the  search.  She, 
however,  obtained  from  him  a  passport  for  herself,  her  youthful  companion, 
Neil  MacDonald,  and  "  for  Betty  Bourke,  a  stout  Irish  woman,  and  three 
others." 

On  28th  June,  1746,  they  embark  from  Uist  for  the  Isle  of  Skye.  After 
much  danger  they  land  at  Kilbride  in  the  parish  of  Kilmuir,  where  they 
stopped  at  the  house  of  Sir  Alexander  MacDonald,  the  Laird  of  Sleite ;  the 
laird  was  from  home,  and  the  house  was  filled  with  officers  who  were  in 
search  of  the  royal  fugitive.  By  advice  of  Lady  MacDonald,  to  whom  Flora 
confided  her  secret,  she  set  out  with  lier  suite  forthwith  for  Kingsburg,  where 
they  rested  safe  after  dangers  and  fatigues.  The  next  morning  Flora  accom- 
panied che  Prince  to  Portaree,  and  there  they  parted.  The  Prince's  last  words 
to  Flora  were,  "  Gentle,  faithful  maiden,  I  hope  we  will  meet  again  in  the 
Palace  Royal."  He  finally  escaped  with  Neal  Mac  Donald  to  France,  a  son 
of  whom  was  distinguished  in  the  French  Rev(jlution.  He  was  a  Marshal 
under  Napoleon,  and  for  his  gallantry  was  created  Duke  of  Tarentum. 

The  unfortunate  Charles  Edward  never  returned.     He  died  in  France,  17B8. 

The  Government  were  highly  incensed  that  their  victim  should  escape. 
That  escape  could  not  have  been  accomplished  by  arms  or  intrigue,  but 
by  woman's  tact  and  woman's  tenderness  alone.  Flora  was  aiTested,  with 
Malcolm  McLeod,  whose  pack  the  prince  had  carried;  McKinnon,  of 
Straith,  who  had  received  him  from  McLeod,  and  MacDonald  of  Kingsburg. 

When  arrested, J  which  was  a  few  days  after  parting  from  the  Prince, 
Flora  was  conveyed  on  board  of  the  Furnace,  Captain  Fergussone,  and  taken 
to  Leith. 

She  was  then  removed  on  board  of  Commodore  Smith's  ship,  and  con- 
veyed to  the  Nore,  whence,  on  6th  December,  after  being  five  months  on  ship- 
board, she  was  transferred  to  the  custody  of  the  messenger  Dick,  where  sh^e 
remained  until  July,  1747. 

They  were  carried  to  London,  and  confined  in  prison  to  be  tried  for  high 
treason.  The  youth  of  Flora  and  the  chivalric  daring  of  her  adventure, 
created  a  strong  feeling  in  her  favor.  She  had  never  been  an  advocate  of  the 
Pietender's  claims  to  the  crown,  nor  was  she  even  of  the  same  religious  faith. 

*  Defence  of  North  Carolina,  bv  J.  Seawell  Jones.     Women  of  the  Revolution,  by 
Mrs.  Ellet.     Sk-etches  of  North  Carolina,  by  Wm.  H.  Foote,  148. 
t  Williamson's  History  of  North  Carolina,  ii.  80. 
i  Boswell's  Life  of  Johnson,  i.  387. 


CUMBERLAND  COUNTY.  12T 

That  impulsive  humanity  of  woman  for  distress  was  her  only  crime.  When 
asked  by  the  King  (George  the  2d),  "  How  dare  you  succor  the  enemy  of  my 
crown  and  kingdom  ?"     She  replied—  _ 

"I  only  did  what  I  would  do  for  your  Majesty  m  the  same  condition— re- 
lieved distress."  No  evidence  was  produced  against  her.  She  was  set  at 
liberty.  She  was,  under  the  protection  of  Lady  Primrose,  sent  home  with 
Malcolm  McLeod, 

In  Boswell's  Life  of  Johnson  I  find  the  following  :— 

"Monday,  12,th  Sept.  1773. 

"  We   safely  arrived  at  Kingsburg,  and  was  received  by  the  hospitable 
MacDonald.      The  lady  of  the  house  is  the  celebrated  Flora  MacDonald 
She  is  a  little  woman,  of  a  genteel  appearance,  and  uncommonly  mild  and 

well  bred.  -^^     x  i  >    v    i         ^x.^ 

"  The  room  where  we  lay  was  a  celebrated  one.   Dr.  Johnson  s  bed  was  the 
very  one  in  which  the  grandson  of  the  unfortunate  King  James  the  Second 
lay   on  one  of  the  nights  after  the  failure  of  his  rash  attempt  in  1'45-b 
while  he  was  eluding  the  pursuit  of  the  emissaries  of  the  government,  which 
had  oflfered  thirty  thousand  pounds  reward  for  him." 

«'  It  is  remarkable,"  savs  Sir  Walter  Scott,*  "  that  this  distinguished  lady 
signed  her  name  Flory,  instead  of  the  more  classical  orthography.  Her  raar- 
riao-e  contract,  which  is  in  my  possession,  bears  the  name  spelled  Flory. 

Four  years  after  her  return  she  married  Allan  McDonald,  and,  as  already 
stated,  emigrated  in  1775  to  America.  They  settled  in  Fayetteville.  The 
ruins  of  the  house  are  yet  to  be  seen,  as  you  pass  from  the  market-house  to 
the  court-house  on  vour  right  hand  just  before  you  cross  the  creek,  not  tar 
from  the  law  office  o*f  John  D.  Eccles,  Esq.  After  a  short  stay  they  removed  to 
Cameron  Hill,  about  twenty  miles  from  Fayetteville.  The  old  persons  about 
this  place  well  recollect  seeing  her,  "a  dignified,  handsome  woman,  to  whom 
all  paid  great  respect."  •   ,    -i. 

When  Flora  exchanged  Scotland  for  America  for  peace  and  quiet,  it  was 
bad  for  worse.     The  troul)les  of  the  Revolution  had  just  commenced. 

The  chief  of  the  clan  of  MacDonald  accepted  a  commission  as  general  Irom 
the  Royal  Governor  (Martin),  in  the  service  of  his  Majesty,  George  III.  The 
wild  notes  of  the  Scottish  pibroch  united  with  the  English  bugles.  On  ist 
Feb.  1776,  General  MacDonald  issued  his  proclamation,  for  all  true  and  loyal 
Highlanders  to  join  his  standard  at  Cross  Creek,  to  march  and  unite  with 
Gen.  Clinton,  and  Gov.  Martin.     He 


marshall'd  his  clan. 


Their  swords  were  a  thousand,  their  hearts  were  as  one." 

On  their  way  down  they  were  met  near  the  mouth  of  Moore's  Creek,  on 
'>7th  Feb  1770,  by  the  forces  of  Caswell  and  Lillington,  and  after  a  despe- 
rate encragement,  to  the  misguided  and  ill-advised  Highlanders,  a  secondCul- 
loden  awarded  them.  Gen.  MacDonald  was  taken  prisoner,  as  also  Kings- 
burg MacDonald,  husband  of  Flora,  who  was  a  captain  ;  Captain  McLeod 
and  Captain  John  Campbell  were  killed,  and  the  rest  taken  prisoners. 

Her  husband  was  confined  a  prisoner  in  Halifax  jail.  After  his  release 
—broken  down  in  hopes,  their  property  plundered,  lands  confiscated,  he  and 
Flora  returned  to  Scotland.  On  their  passage  home  they  encountered  a 
French  ship-of-war.  An  action  ensued.  This  heroic  woman  remained  on 
deck  during  the  action,  and  encouraged  the  men.  The  enemy  was  beaten 
off,  but  in  the  bustle  of  battle  Flora  was  thrown  down,  and  her  arm  was 
broken.  With  the  shrewdness  of  her  country  Flora  is  said  to  have  remark- 
ed. "  I  have  hazarded  my  life  for  the  House  of  Stuart  and  for  the  House  of 
Hanover,  and  I  do  not  see  that  I  am  a  great  gainer  by  either." 

To  the  bravery  of  our  sex  she  united  the  gentleness  of  her  own,  and  cav- 
ing a  family  of  five  sons  (all  of  whom  became  military  officers),  she  died  4th 

March,  17'J0.  i,     i     i     t    i. 

Her  shroud  was  made  of  the  sheets  in  which  Charles  Edward  had  slept  at 

*  Lockhart  Papers. 


128  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Kingsburg,*  which,  with  woman's  romantic  temper,  she  had  preserved  in  all 
her  wanderings,  for  this  express  purpose. 

Foote  remarks  that  "  Massachusetts  has  had  her  Lady  Arabella,  Virginia 
her  Pocahontas,  and  North  Carolina  her  Flora  MacDonald." 

The  Field  Officers  appointed  by  the  State  in  1775  for  Cumberland: — 
Alexander  McAllister,  Col. ;  Ebenezer  Folsome,  Lieut.-Col. ;  David  Smith, 
First  Major  ;  Philip  Alston,  Second  Major. 

The  character  of  Col.  Folsome  was  that  of  a  daring  and  chivalric  man. 
He  seized  all  persons  suspected  of  enmity  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  brought 
them  to  trial. 

On  examining  the  journal  of  1776,t  I  find  that  he  was  charged  with  pecu- 
lation and  negligence  of  duty,  and  dismissed  from  the  service. 

Among  the  first  members  from  Cumberland  in  1775,  was  Farquard  Camp-  ' 
BELL.  He  was  suspicioned  as  being  inimical  to  America,  but,  took  all  the 
test  oaths  and  other  ordeals  which  the  vigilance  of  the  day  had  exacted. 
But  this  suspicion  was  heightened  when  a  letter  of  Biggleston,  Gov.  Martin's 
Secretary,  requested  the  favor  of  the  State  Congress  sitting  at  Hillsboro,' 
Aug.  21,  1775,  "  to  give  safe  conduct  to  His  Excellency's  coach  and  horses 
to  house  of  Farquard  Campbell,  in  Cumberland." 

This  suspicion  was  for  a  moment  removed  by  Campbell's  disclaimer  from 
his  seat  that  such  a  request  was  without  his  knowledge  or  consent,  and 
implored  the  house  to  grant  no  such  request. J 

He  was  suspected  of  a  secret  correspondence  with  Gov.  Martin  throughout 
the  whole  of  his  service  in  the  State  Congress.  As  the  American  causo 
advanced,  this  double  dealing  could  no  longer  be  carried  on.  While  enter- 
taining a  party  of  Highland  Royalists  in  the  fall  of  1776,  at  his  own  house,  he 
was  seized  by  Colonel  Ebenezer  Folsome,  and  carried  to  Halifax  to  be  tried. 

After  the  Revolution,  he  appears  to  have  eschewed  his  former  political 
opinions.     He  was  elected  Senator  from  Cumberland,  in  1791,  '92,  and  '93. 

In  1806  WiLiLAM  Duffy  was  a  member  from  Fayetteville  to  the  House  of 
Commons.     He  was  an  educated  man  and  by  profession  a  lawyer. 

He  was  a  man  of  talents,  of  a  quick  and  impetuous  temper.  This  involved 
him  in  early  life  iu  a  difficulty  with  Hon.  Duncan  Cameron,  which  terminated 
in  a  hostile  meeting.  Both  were  wounded  ;  Judge  Cameron  slightly,  Dcffy 
severely. 

I  present  from  one  who  knew  him  personally,  the  following 
extract  from  Judge  Murphy's  oration  at  Chapel  Hill,  June  27, 
1827. 

"William  Dcffv  was  the  child  of  misfortune.  Thrown  upon  the  world 
without  friends  and  without  fortune,  accident  introduced  him  in  his  early 
youth  to  the  acquaintance  of  John  Haywood,  Esq.,  the  venerable  Treasurer 
of  this  State  ;  who,  in  the  exercise  of  that  benevolence  for  which  his  whole 
life  has  been  conspicuous,  gave  him  employment,  and  enabled  him  to  prose- 
cute his  studies  and  prepare  himself  for  the  bar.  Duffy  had  an  opportunity 
of  witnessing  the  splendid  displays  of  Davie  and  Moore  ;  and  he  profited  by 
their  example.  He  devoted  a  large  portion  of  his  time  to  polite  literature, 
and  acquired  a  more  elegant  style  in  composition  than  any  of  his  con- 
temporaries in  North  CaroUna.  He  had  a  slight  impediment  in  his  speech, 
but,  by  laborious  perseverance  he  succeeded  in  regulating  the  tones  and 
modulations  of  his  voice  in  such  a  way,  that  this  impediment  often  seemed 
to  be  an  ornament  to  his  delivery.  He  was  one  of  the  few  men  of  our 
country  who  could  read  well.  He  studied  the  art  of  reading,  and  his  friends 
will  long  remember  the  pleasure  they  have  received  from  hearing  him  read. 
In  his  addresses  at  the  bar,  he  was  always  impressive,  particularly  upon 

*  Boswell's  Life  of  Johnson,  i.  559. 

t  Journal  of  the  General  Assembly,  1776,  38, 

I  Letter  of  Judge  Willianis  to  Win.  Johnston,  10th  Jan.  1777. 


CUMBERLAND  COUNTY.  129 

topics  connected  with  virtuous  and  benevolent  feeling.  He  had  a  vigorous 
mind,  and  feelings  attuned  to  the  finest  emotions.  I  remember^  him  with 
fond  aifection.  lie  was  my  friend,  my  preceptor,  my  patron.  lie  instructed 
me  in  the  science  of  the  law,  in  the  art  of  managing  causes  at  the  bar,  and 
in  the  still  more  difficult  art  of  reading  books  to  advantage.  I  wish  it  were 
in  my  power  to  render  to  his  memory  a  more  permanent  honor  than  this 
passing  tribute  of  respect  and  gratitude  I" 

John  Louis  Taylor,  late  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  North 
Carolina,  in  1T92,  '93,  and  '94,  represented  Fayetteville  in  the  House  of 
Commons. 

He  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  a  man  of  genius,  acquirements,  and  varied 
learning ;  possessing  great  amability  of  character,  pure  philanthropy,  and 
unbounded  benevolence. 

In  1798,  he  was  elected  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  and  in  1818,  one 
of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court;  holding  this  elevated  office  with  great 
credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction  to  the  country,  until  his  death,  January, 
1829. 

Hon.  Henry  Potter  resides  in  this  county.  He  is  a  native  of  Granville. 
He  is  now  (Aug.  1851),  in  the  eighty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  He  is  now  the 
United  States  Circuit  Judge,  appointed  to  succeed  Judge  Sitgreaves,  in 
1801.  He  has  been  a  Trustee  of  the  University  since  1799  ;  Author  of  a 
work  on  the  Duty  of  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  with  Bartlett  Yancey  and 
John  L.  Taylor,  revised  the  statute  laws  in  1820. 

John  D.  Toomer  represented  Cumberland  in  the  Senate  in  1831  and  '32. 

He  is  a  native  of  Wilmington,  and  was  educated  at  Chapel  Ilill,  Avhere  he 
stood  high  for  his  intellectual  qualities  and  rapid  acquisition  of  knowledge. 

In  1818  he  was  elected  a  Judge  of  our  Superior  Court,  which  in  the  next 
year  he  resigned. 

In  June,  1829,  he  was  appointed  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court,  by  the  Gover  - 
nor  and  Council,  but  this  not  being  confirmed  by  the  Legislature,  he  resigned 
in  December,  1829. 

In  1831-2  he  was  Senator  in  the  General  Assembly,  from  Cumberland, 
as  above  stated. 

In  183G  he  was  again  elected  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  which,  from 
ill  health,  he  resigned  in  1840. 

He  is  considered  a  most  eloquent  speaker,  an  agreeable  and  interesting 
writer,  of  profound  literary  attainments,  and  an  amiable  and  urbane  gentle- 
man. 

He  now  resides  in  Pittsboro.' 

Louis  D.  Henry  was  long  a  resident  of  this  county.  He  was  born  in  New 
Jersey  in  1788.  He  was  educated  at  Princeton  College,  and  graduated  at 
that  renowned  institution  in  1809.  He  read  law  in  Newborn  under  his  uncle, 
the  late  Edward  Graham,  Esq.,  and  practiced  this  profession  with  great  suc- 
cess, until  his  death.  Ho  was  distinguished  for  his  accurate  memory,  diver- 
sified learning,  and  powers  of  elocution. 

He  represented  the  County  of  Cumberland  in  1821  and  1822. 

He  represented  the  town  of  Fayetteville  in  1830,  '31,  and  '32,  in  the  House 
of  Commons,  of  which  once  he  was  chosen  Speaker. 

Possessed  of  a  quick  sense  of  injury,  and  great  firmness,  in  early  life  he 
was  involved  in  a  difficulty  arising  from  a  very  trivial  cause,  with  Thomas  J. 
Stanly,  wiiich  terminated  in  a  hostile  meeting  on  the  Virginia  line,  in  which 
Mr.  Stanly  fell  dead  the  first  fire. 

He  was  appointed  in  1837  by  the  President  (Van  Buren)  as  Commissioner 
to  settle  the  Claims  arising  under  the  Treaty  with  Spain,  the  duties  of  which 
he  discharged  with  unequalled  ability,  and  with  satisfaction  to  all  concerned. 

In  1842  he  was  chosen  by  the  democratic  party  as  their  candidate  for  Go- 
vernor, and  was  defeated  by  the  Hon.  John  M.  Morehead. 


130  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

He  died  very  suddenly  at  his  residence  in  Raleigh  in  June,  184G,  much 
lamented  by  his  numerous  friends  throughout  the  State. 

Mr.  Henry  was  twice  married ;  by  the  second  wife  (who  survives  him)  he 
left  many  children — one  son,  and  several  daughters,  one  of  whom  married 
Duncan  McRae,  Esq.,  now  of  Wilmington;  another.  Colonel  John  H.  Manly, 
of  Raleigh ;  and  another,  R.  P.  Waring,  Esq.,  of  Charlotte. 

Hon.  Robert  Strange  represented  the  town  of  Fayetteville  in  the  House  of 
Commons  for  many  years. 

He  is  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  was  born  20th  September^  1796.  He  was 
educated  at  Hampden  Sidney  College,  in  Virginia,  elected  to  the  House  of 
Commons  in  1821,  and  served,  with  some  intermission,  until  1826,  when  he 
was  elected  a  Judge  of  our  Superior  Court,  which  elevated  position  he  held, 
with  great  credit  to  himself,  and  so  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  country- 
men, that  the  Legislature,  in  1836,  elected  him  a  Senator  in  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States. 

In  this  illustrious  body  {Patres  conscripiiof  our  nation)  the  efforts  of  Judge 
Strange  were  of  a  highly  intellectual  character,  and  ranked  him  among  the 
statesmen  of  the  age.  In  private  circles,  his  good  humor  and  wit  rendered 
him  a  welcome  guest  to  all.  His  inflexible  firmness,  and  unwavering  support 
of  whatever  his  conscience  assured  him  was  right,  commanded  the  respect  of 
his  compeers  in  the  Senate.  He  resigned  in  1840,  under  instructions  of  the 
General  Assembly,  glad  to  escape  from  "  the  peltings  of  the  pitiless  storms" 
of  political  life  for  the  more  germane  and  lucrative  pursuits  of  his  profession, 
of  which  he  is  now  the  pride  and  ornament.  He  is  now  Solicitor  of  the  Fifth 
Judicial  Circuit;  the  Criminal  Code  of  the  State  could  not  be  in  safer  hands. 
AVhile  from  his  philanthropic  disposition  the  innocent  have  nothing  to  fear, 
he  is  "a  terror  unto  evil  doers." 

Not  only  in  the  profession  of  the  law  and  in  the  Senate  has  Judge  Strange 
been  conspicuous.  As  a  writer  he  has  often  appeared  before  the  public.  His 
style  is  highly  imaginative;  his  taste,  chastened  by  an  intimate  acquaintance 
with  the  most  approved  authors  of  the  language  in  every  age,  is  classic  and 
beautiful.  His  eulogy  upon  Judge  Gaston  cannot  but  affect  the  heart,  im- 
prove the  feelings,  and  delight  the  mind  of  all  who  may  have  the  pleasure  to 
read  it. 

Hon.  Lauchlin  Bethune  is  a  resident  of  Cumberland,  and  his  public  ser- 
vices deserve  the  thanks  of  his  country.  Unobtrusive  in  his  character,  retiring 
in  his  disposition,  he  has  for  years  been  withdrawn  from  the  public  eye. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  State  Senate  from  Cumberland  in  1817,  1818,  and 
from  1821  to  1827.   In  1831  elected  a  member  of  Congress  from  this  District. 

Hon.  Dillon  Jordan  represented  Cumberland  County  in  the  Commons  in 
1836,  and  was  appointed  United  States  Judge  in  Florida  in  1838,  where  he 
now  resides. 

Hon.  John  A.  Cameron  in  1810, 1811  and  1812  represented  Fayetteville  in 
the  House  of  Commons;  he  was  brother  of  Dr.  Thomas  N.  Cameron,  of  Fayette- 
ville, who  was  the  Senator  in  1844,  1846  and  1850,  and  who  died  recently 
(June,  1851),  loved  and  respected  by  all  who  knew  him. 

He  was  appointed  United  States  Consul  to  Vera  Cruz,  and  afterwards 
United  States  Judge  in  Florida.  He  pei-ished  in  the  unfortunate  Steamer 
Pulaski,  on  14th  June,  1838,  on  his  passage  from  Savannah  to  Charleston. 
He  was  a  fine  writer,  accomplished  gentleman,  and  sincere  friend.  He  left 
several  children. 

Hon.  James  C.  Dobbin  is  a  resident  of  Cumberland  County.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  the  University  of  the  State,  and  graduated  in  1832.  Studied  law,  in 
the  practice  of  which  he  has  been  very  successful. 

His  first  appearance  in  public  life  was  as  a  member  of  Congress  in  1845. 
After  serving  through  the  term  of  one  Congress  he  declined  a  re-election. 


CUMBERLAND  COUXTY. 


131 


In  1848,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  again 
re-elected  in  1850,  of  which  he  was  Speaker. 

His  career,  brilliant  as  it  opens,  has  just  commenced,  as  he  is  yet  young, 
laborious,  and  highly  gifted.  His  eloquence  is  of  the  most  winning  character, 
and  his  efforts  at  the  bar  and  in  the  legislative  halls  have  been  distinguished 
for  their  clearness,  research,  and  ability.  His  urbane  manners  and  kind  dis- 
position make  him  a  favorite  with  all  parties  and  in  all  circles. 

Many  others  in  connection  with  this  distinguished  County  might  be  named, 
which  another  edition  and  subsequent  inquiries  may  bring  to  public  notice. 


FAYETTEVILLE. 


LIST  OF  MEMBERS 
Years.        House  of  Commons. 

1791.  James  Porterfield. 

1792.  John  L.  Taylor. 

1793.  John  L.  Tavlor. 

1794.  John  L.  Taylor. 

1796.  Robert  Cochran, 

1797.  James  Dick. 

1801.  Wm.  W.  Jones. 

1802.  Robert  Cochran. 

1803.  Thomas  Davis. 

1804.  Robert  Cochran. 

1805.  John  Hay. 

1806.  William  Duffy._ 

1807.  Samuel  Goodwin. 

1808.  Samuel  Goodwin. 

1809.  Thomas  Davis. 

1810.  John  A.  Cameron. 

1811.  John  A.  Cameron. 
1M2.  John  A.  Cameron. 

1813.  Larkin  Newley. 

1814.  Thomas  Davis. 

1815.  John  Winslow. 


TO  THE  HOUSE  OF 
Years. 
1816. 
1817. 
1818. 
1819. 
1820. 
1821. 
1822. 
1823. 
1824. 
1825. 
1826. 
1S27. 
1828. 
1829. 
1830. 
1831. 
1832. 
1833. 
1834. 
1835. 


COMMONS. 

House  of  Commons. 
John  Winslow. 
John  Winslow. 
John  Winslow. 
John  Winslow. 
John  A.  Cameron. 
Robert  Strange. 
Robert  Strange. 
Robert  Strange. 
John  ]\J.9,tthews. 
John  Matthews. 
Robert  Strange. 
John  D.  Eccles. 
John  D.  Eccles. 
John  D.  Eccles. 
Louis  D.  Henry. 
Louis  D.  Henry. 
Louis  D.  Henry. 
James  Seawell. 
James  Seawell. 
Thomas  L.  Hybart. 


Years. 

1778. 

1779. 

1780. 

1781. 

1782. 

1783. 

1784. 

1785. 

1786. 

1787. 

1788. 

1789. 

1791. 

1792. 

1793. 

1794. 

1795. 

1796. 

1797. 

1798. 

1799. 

1800. 


Senators. 


List  of  members  of  General  Assembly  from  Cumberland  County, 
from  1777  to  1851. 

Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
Robert  Rowan,  Peter  Mallet. 
Robert  Cochran,  Robert  Rowan. 
Robert  Cochran,  Edward  Winslow, 
David  Smith,  Thomas  Anthony. 
Edward  Winslow,  Patrick  Travis. 
Patrick  Travis,  Edward  Winslow. 
Patrick  Travis,  Edward  Winslow. 
Robert  Rowan,  David  Smith. 
John  Hay,  Edward  Winslow. 
Wm.  B.  Grove,  James  Ilackston. 
John  McKay,  Wm.  B.  Grove. 
John  McKay,  Wm.  B.  Grove. 
John  McKay,  Joseph  Kearnes. 
Joseph  Kearnes,  Neill  Smith. 
Neill  Smith,  Hector  McAllister. 
Hector  McAllister,  Neill  Smith. 
Hector  McAllister,  Neill  Smith. 
Neill  Smith,  Samuel  Northington. 
Daniel  INIcLean,  Neill  Smith. 
Samuel  Northington,  Sam'l  D.  Purviance. 
Neill  Smith,  Samuel  D.  Purviance. 
John  Dickson,  Wm.  Lord. 


Thomas  Armstrong, 
Thomas  Armstrong, 
Thomas  Armstrong, 
Alexander  McAllister, 
Alexander  McAllister, 
Alexander  IMcAUister, 
Farquard  Campbell, 
Farquard  Campbell, 
Farquard  Campbell, 
John  McXeill, 
John  McNeill, 
John  McNeill, 
Hector  McAllister, 
Alexander  ^McAllister, 
Daniel  McLean, 
Hector  McAllister, 


132 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senators. 

1801.  Samuel  D.  Purviance, 

1802.  William  Lord, 

1803.  John  Dickson, 

1804.  Hector  McAllister, 

1805.  John  McKay, 

1806.  John  McKay, 

1807.  John  McKay, 

1808.  John  Dickson, 

1809.  William  Lord, 

1810.  Colin  Shaw, 

1811.  John  Dickson, 

1812.  John  Smith, 

1813.  John  Smith, 

1814.  John  Smith, 

1815.  John  Dickson, 

1816.  Richard  Iluckabee, 

1817.  Lauch.  Bathune, 

1818.  Lauch.  Bethune, 

1819.  Richard  Iluckabee, 

1820.  John  Black, 

1821.  Richard  Huckabee, 

1822.  Lauch.  Bethune, 

1823.  Lauch.  Jethune, 

1824.  Lauch.  Bethune, 

1825.  Lauch.  Bethune, 

1826.  Alexander  Elliott, 

1827.  Lauch.  Bethune, 

1828.  Arch'd  McDearmid, 

1829.  Arch'd  McDearmid, 

1830.  Wm.  Murchison, 

1831.  John  D.  Toomer, 

1832.  John  D.  Toomer, 

1833.  Duncan  McCormick, 

1834.  Duncan  McCormick, 

1835.  Duncan  McCormick, 

1836.  Duncan  McCormick, 
1838.  Arch'd  McDearmid, 
1840.  Arch'd  McDearmid, 
1842.  David  Reid, 

1844.  Thomas  N.  Cameron, 

1846.  Thomas  N.  Cameron, 

1848.  Alexander  Murchison, 

1850.  Thomas  N.  Cameron, 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

John  Dickson,  AYm.  Lord. 
John  Dickson,  Daniel  Smith. 
Daniel  Smith,  Samuel  Northington. 
Archibald  McNeill. 
Stephen  Gilmore,  John  Kearnes. 
Colin  Shaw,  John  Kearnes. 
John  Kearnes,  Colin  Shaw. 
James  Campbell. 
JohnMc  Kay,  James  Campbell. 
Isaac  Folsome,  John  S.  Nelson. 
Thomas  Gilmore,  Farq.  McKay. 
Robert  Campbell,  Richard  Iluckabee. 
Richard  Huckabee,  Robert  Campbell. 
Richard  Huckabee,  Mark  Christian. 
Richard  Iluckabee,  Neill  McNeill. 
Neill  McNeill,  John  C.  Williams. 
John  C.  Williams,  Neill  McNeill. 
Jona.  Evans,  Neill  McNeill. 
Jona.  Evans,  Neill  McNeill. 
Neill  McNeill,  Alexander  McAllister. 
Neill  McNeill,  Louis  D.  Henry. 
Neill  McNeill,  Louis  D.  Henry. 
Neill  McNeill,  Samuel  P.  Ashe. 
Neill  McNeill,  Alexander  Elliott. 
Alexander  Elliott,  Samuel  P.  Ashe. 
Joseph  Hodges,  A.  McDearmid. 
Joseph  Hodges,  A.  McDearmid. 
Alexander  McNeill,  Joseph  Hodges. 
Alexander  McNeill,  Alexander  Buie. 
Alexander  McNeill,  Alexander  Buie. 
David  McNeill,  John  Barclay. 
David  McNeill,  John  D.  Eccles. 
David  McNeill,  Dillon  Jordan. 
Dillon  Jordan,  David  McNeill. 
Dillon  Jordan,  David  McNeill. 
Stephen  HoUingsworth,  Dillon  Jordan. 
Stephen  HoUingsworth,  David  Reid. 
David  Reid,  John  Monroe. 
John  Monroe,  Duncan  K.  McRae. 
Duncan  Shaw,  B.  F.  Atkins. 
Geo.  W.  Pegram,  Duncan  Shaw. 
James  C.  Dobbin,  Geo.  W.  Pegram. 
James  C.  Dobbin,  Geo.  W.  Pegram. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


CUERITUCK  COUNTY. 


Currituck  County  was  one  of  the  early  precincts  of  the  State 
in  1729,  when  the  Lords  Proprietors  surrendered  their  rights  to  the 
Eno-lish  Crown.  It  derives  its  name  from  a  tribe  of  Indians  who 
once  inhabited  and  owned  the  country. 


CURRITUCK  COUNTY.  133 

Its  location  is  the  extreme  north-eastern  portion  of  North  Caro- 
lina ;  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Virginia  Line ;  east  by  the  Atlan- 
tic Ocean ;  south  by  the  Albemarle  Sound ;  and  Tvest  by  Camden 
County. 

Its  court  house,  on  Currituck  Sound,  is  beautifully  located,  and 
is  distant  from  Raleigh  242  miles. 

Population  of  Currituck,  4,600  whites;  2,447  slaves;  189  free  negroes; 
6,257  representative  population. 

Products,  213,595  bushels  corn;  7,685  bushels  wheat;  7,084  bushels  oats; 
400  bushels  salt;  400  barrels  fish;  11,465  pounds  wool. 

In  this  County  is  situated  Roanoake  Island.  On  the  4th  day  of  July, 
1584,  two  English  ships  approached  the  coast  of  North  Carolina,  sent  out 
under  the  auspices  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  under  command  of  Arthur  Bar- 
lowe  and  Philip  Amidas.* 

"  These  were  the  first  that  ever  burst 
Into  that  silent  sea." 

On  the  13th  of  July  they  landed  on  this  Island,!  and  Captain  Amidas, 
after  they  returned  thanks  to  Almighty  God  for  their  safe  deliverance,  took 
possession  in  these  memorable  words : — 

"  We  take  possession  of  this  land  in  right  of  the  Queen's  Most  Excellent  Ma- 
jestie,  as  rightful  Queene  and  Princesse  of  the  same,  to  be  delivered  over  to  the 
use  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  according  to  her  Majestic' s  letters  patent  under  her 
Highnesse's  great  scale." 

Here  then  is  the  birth-place,  and  here  is  the  birth  of  this  great 
Anglo-Saxon  Empire. 

They  found,  at  this  season  (July),  an  island  clad  with  grapes,  for 
■which  it  is  still  celebrated,  the  far-famed  Scuppernong. 

Here,  too,  "  they  found  a  people,  most  gentle,  loving,  and  faithful,  and  such 
as  live  after  the  manner  of  the  golden  age. "J 

How  eloquent,  and  how  truthful ! 

The  Colony  of  Virginia  claims  antiquity,  and  the  earliest  settle- 
ment in  1608. 

The  Pilgrim  Rock,  in  Massachusetts,  claims  the  next,  in  1620 ; 
but  the  faithful  page  of  history  points  to  Roanoake  Island,  and 
says  1584. 

This  proves  that  North  Carolina  was  the  first  State  upon  which 
the  English  landed.  We  have  already  shown  that  she  was  the  first 
State  in  whose  borders  the  blood  of  the  colonists  was  spilled  by  the 
English  troops,  in  1771,  at  Alamance ;  and  we  have  seen  that  she 
was  the  State  that  threw  off  the  English  yoke,  at  Charlotte,  May, 
1775. 

If  justice  to  her  merits  is  tardy,  it  is  sure.  "Render  unto  Caesar 
the  things  which  are  Cscsar's." 

Currituck  County  has  always  been  distinguished  for  the  indepen- 
dence of  its  inhabitants. 

The  first  meeting  of  Deputies  of  the  people  of  the  Province,  independent  of 
the  English  crown,  and  adverse  to  the  royal  authority,  was  at  Newbern,  25th 

*  Report  of  Sir  Walter  Raleij^h,  by  Amidas  and  Barlow.     Ilakhiyt's  Voyagus,  3. 
t  This  is  illuslrated  opposite  the  title-pag:e  of  the  tirst  volume,  a  lac  simile  from  Har- 
riot's Accoimt  of  Virginia,  1584.     Queen  Elizabe'.h  had  styled  the  whole  region  Virginia. 
I  See  Keport  of  Amidas  and  Barlovve.    Ilakluyt's  Voyages. 


134  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

August,  1774;  there  appeared  from  Currituck,  Solomon  Perkins,  Xathav 
PoYNER,  and  Samuel  Jarvis. 

At  the  second  meeting,  held  at  Newbern,  3d  April,  1775,  Thomas  Mac- 
Knight,  Francis  Williamson,  Samuel  Jarvis,  Solomon  Perkins,  and  Na- 
than POVNER. 

At  the  third  meeting,  held  at  Ilillsboro',  21st  August,  1775,  from  Currituck 
appeared  Thomas  Jarvis,  Gideon  Lamb,  James  Ryan,  James  White,  and 
Solomon  Perkins. 

At  the  Congress,  held  at  Ilalifax,  which  met  12th  November,  1776,  and 
formed  our  State  Constitution,  there  appeared  as  delegates  from  Currituck, 
Samuel  Jarvis,  James  White,  Kedar  Marchant,  Hallowell  Williams,  and 
Thomas  Williams. 

The  field  officers  for  Currituck  in  1776,  were  Hollowell  Williams,  Colonel; 
Solomon  Perkins,  Lieut.-Colonel ;  Asahel  Simmonds,  Major. 

Thomas  MacKnight  appears  to  have  been  inimical  to  the  cause  of  liberty. 

The  journals  of  the  Congress  at  Newbern,  1775,  show  that  Thomas  Mac- 
Knight  was  called  upon  to  sign,  with  the  other  members  of  this  Convention, 
the  Association  approving  the  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  refused, 
and  withdrew  himself.  The  House  then  resolved  that  his  intentions  were 
inimical  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  recommended  all  persons  to  withdraw 
from  all  connection  with  him  as  an  object  of  contempt! 

Bv  a  resolve  of  the  Congress,  19th  December,  177b,  his  estate  was  ordered 
to  be  rented  out  by  Isaac  Gregory,  Mr.  Ferebee,  and  Abner  Harrison ;  as 
also  the  estate  of  James  Parker,  of  Pasquotank,  and  make  return  to  the  next 
General  Assembly. 

Samuel  Ferebee,  of  this  County,  was  the  last  survivor  of  the  members  of 
the  Convention  assembled  at  Fayetteville,  in  November,  1789,  which  body 
accepted  and  ratified  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  for  our  State. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Cui'rituck  County,  from 
1776  to  1850-51. 

Years.  Senators.  Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

1'''77.  Samuel  Jarvis,  James  White,  James  Ryan. 

1778.  Col.  Perkins,  William  Ferebee,  Howell  Williams. 

1779.  Col.  Perkins,  Thomas  Youughusband,  John  Humphries. 

1780.  Samuel  Jarvis,  James  Phillips,  John  Humphries. 

1781.  Samuel  Jarvis,  James  Phillips,  John  Humphries. 

1782.  William  Ferebee,  Thomas  Jarvis,  Joseph  Ferebee. 

1783.  William  Ferebee,  James  Phillips,  Joseph  Ferebee. 

1784.  James  Phillips,  James  White,  Joseph  Ferebee. 

1785.  Willis  Etheridgo,  Joseph  Ferebee,  James  White. 

1786.  Willis  Etheridge,  Joseph  Ferebee,  John  Humphries. 

1787.  Howell  Williams,  Joseph  Ferebee,  John  Humphries. 

1788.  Howell  Williams,  Thos.  P.  Williams,  Griffith  Dauge. 

1789.  Howell  Williams,  Thos.  P.  Williams,  Andrew  Duke. 

1790.  John  Humphries,  Joseph  Ferebee,  Andrew  Duke. 

1791.  John  Humphries,  Spence  Hall,  Joseph  Ferebee. 

1792.  John  Humphries,  Spence  Hall,  Alex.  L.  Whitehall. 

1793.  Spence  Hall,  Alex.  L.  AVhitehall,  Andrew  Duke. 

1794.  Spence  Hall,  Andrew  Duke,  Saml.  Ferebee. 

1795.  Joseph  Ferebee,  Thomas  Williams,  Jesse  Simmons. 

1796.  Joseph  Ferebee,  Thomas  Williams,  Jesse  Simmons. 

1797.  James  Phillips,  Thomas  Martin,  Malachi  Jones. 

1798.  Saml.  Salyear,  Malachi  Jones,  T.  Williams. 

1799.  Saml.  Salyear,  Malachi  Jones,  T.  Williams. 

1800.  Saml.  Salyear,  Thomas  Williams,  Thos.  C.  Ferebee. 

1801.  Jonathan  Lindsay,  Thomas  Garrett,  Thos.  C.  Ferebee. 

1802.  Jonathan  Lindsay,  Thos.  C.  Ferebee,  Thomas  Garrett. 

1803.  Samuel  Ferebee,  Jacob  Perkins,  Thos.  Anderson. 


CURRITUCK  COUNTY. 


135 


Years.  Senators. 

1804.  Samuel  Ferebee, 

1805.  Samuel  Ferebee, 

1806.  Samuel  Ferebee, 

1807.  Thomas  Williams, 

1808.  Thomas  Williams, 

1809.  Jonathan  Lindsay, 

1810.  Thomas  Williams, 

1811.  Jonathan  Lindsay, 

1812.  Jonathan  Lindsay, 

1813.  Thomas  Sanderson, 

1814.  Thomas  Sanderson, 

1815.  Thomas  Williams, 

1816.  Thomas  Williams, 

1817.  Spence  Hall, 

1818.  Spence  Hall, 

1819.  Edmund  S.  Lindsav, 

1820.  Edmund  S.  Lindsay, 

1821.  Edmund  S.  Lindsay, 

1822.  Edmund  S.  Lindsay, 

1823.  Thos.  C.  Ferebee, 

1824.  Saml.  Salyear, 

1825.  Saml.  Salyear, 

1826.  Saml.  Salyear, 

1827.  Saml.  Salyear, 

1828.  Saml.  Salyear, 

1829.  Caleb  Etheridge, 

1830.  Jona.  J.  Lindsay, 

1831.  Jona.  J.  Lindsay, 

1832.  Jona.  J.  Lindsay, 

1833.  Daniel  Lindsay, 

1834.  Dan.  Lindsay,  jun., 

1835.  Daniel  Lindsay, 

1836.  Daniel  Lindsay, 
1838.  Caleb  Etheridge, 
1840.  Caleb  Etheridge, 
1842.  Caleb  Etheridge, 
1844,  Caleb  Etheridge, 
1846.  John  Barnard, 
1848.  John  Barnard, 
1850.  John  Barnard, 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
Aaron  Bright,  William  Simmons. 
Willoughby  Dozier,  Willis  Simmons. 
Willoughby  Dozier,  Danl.  Lindsay. 
Willis  Simmons,  Jonathan  Lindsay. 
Willis  Simmons,  WilloughViy  Dozier. 
Brickhouse  Bell,  Jesse  Barnard. 
Jesse  Barnard,  Brickhouse  Bell. 
Brickhouse  Bell,  Thomas  Garrett. 
Brickhouse  Bell,  Thomas  Garrett. 
Simeon  Sawyer,  Willis  Simmons. 
Brickhouse  Bell,  Saml.  Salyear. 
Brickhouse  Bell,  -John  T.  Hampton. 
Brickhouse  Bell,  John  T.  Hampton. 
John  T.  Hampton,  C.  Etheridge. 
J.  T.  Hampton,  C.  Etheridge. 
J.  T.  Hampton,  Enoch  Ball. 
Enoch  Ball,  John  T.  Hampton. 
John  Forbes,  John  Shipp. 
Cartwright  Bell,  Jesse  Barnard. 
W.  D.  Barnard,  John  Forbes. 
Enoch  Ball,  Willoughby  D.  Barnard. 
W.  D.  Barnard,  Enoch  Ball. 
W.  D.  Barnard,  Enoch  Ball. 
W.  D.  Barnard,  Enoch  Ball. 
Enoch  Ball,  Benj.  T.  Simmons. 
W.  D.  Barnard,  Benj.  T.  Simmons. 
W.  D.  Barnard,  Benj.  T.  Simmons. 
John  B.  Jones,  Benj.  T.  Simmons. 
John  B.  Jones,  Benj.  T.  Simmons. 
John  B.  Jones,  James  M.  Sanderson. 
Joshua  Harrison,  Wallace  Gray. 
Joshua  Harrison,  Alfred  Perkins. 
Alfred  Perkins. 
Alfred  Perkins. 
John  B.  Jones. 
John  B.  Jones. 
John  B.  Jones. 
John  B.  Jones. 
Thomas  Grigg. 
Saml.  P.  Jarvis. 


18 


136  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER   XXV 


DAVIDSON  COUNTY. 


Davidson  County  was  formed  in  1822,  from  Rowan,  named  in 
compliment  of  Gen.  William  Davidson,  -who  fell  at  tlie  passage  of 
the  Catawba  at  Cowan's  Ford,  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  1st 
February,  1781,  (for  whose  biography  see  Mecklenburg  County.) 

It  is  in  the  western  part  of  the  State;  the  mail  stage  from 
Raleigh  to  Salisbury,. passes  through  this  county.  It  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Forsythe,  east  by  Guilford  and  Randolph,  south 
by  the  Yadkin  River,  which  separates  it  from  Stanly  and  Rowan, 
and  on  the  west  by  the  same  river,  which  separates  it  from  Rowan. 

Lexington  is  its  capital,  a  most  flourishing  and  beautiful  village, 
and  distant  one  hundred  and  seventeen  miles  from  Raleigh. 

Its  population  is  12,139  whites ;  2,992  slaves ;  189  free  negroes ;  14,123 
representative  population. 

Its  products  are  1,368,100  pounds  of  cotton;  465,828  bushels  of  corn; 
114,359  bushels  of  wheat;  102,703  bushels  of  oats  ;  80,502  pounds  of  tobacco; 
17,305  pounds  of  wool ;  10,000  dollars  of  lead. 

Its  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  history  is  connected  with  that  of 
Rowan,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred. 

List  of  members  from  Davidson  County  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  North  Carolina,  from  the  erection  of  the  county  to  the  las: 
session. 

Years.  Senators.  House  of  Commons. 

1823.  Alex.  R.  Cladcleugh,  J.  Hargrave,  W.  Bodenhamer. 

1824.  Jesse  Hargrave,  W.  Bodenhamer,  J.  Clemons. 

1825.  Jesse  Hargrave,  John  M.  Smith,  Joseph  Spurgen. 

1826.  John  M.  Smith,  Thomas  Hampton,  John  Ward. 

1827.  John  M.  Smith,  Thomas  Hampton,  Absalom  Williams. 

1828.  John  M.  Smith,  Thos.  Hampton,  Absalom  Williams. 

1829.  Ransom  Harris,  W.  W.  Wiseman,  Lewis  Snyder. 

1830.  Ransom  Harris,  Joseph  Spurgen,  Wm.  W.  Wiseman. 

1831.  Charles  Hoover,  John  A.  Hogan,  John  W.  Thomas. 

1832.  John  A.  Hogan,  W.  AV.  Wiseman,  Henry  Bedford. 

1833.  John  A.  Hogan,  W.  W.  Wiseman,  Henry  Ledford. 

1834.  John  A.  Hogan,  George  Smith,  Charles  Brummell. 

1835.  John  A.  Hogan,  George  Smith,  Charles  Brummell. 

1836.  John  L.  Hargrove,  Charles  Brummell,  Meshack  Pinckston. 
1838.  Wm.  R.  Holt,  Burgess  S.  Beale,  Charles  Brummell. 
1840.  Alfred  Hargrave,  Charles  Brummell,  Burgess  S.  Beale. 
1842.  John  W.  Thomas,  Charles  Brummell,  Henry  Walser. 
1844.  Alfred  Hargrave,  B.  C.  Douthett,  C.  L.  Payne. 
1846.  Saml.  Hargrave,  Hoover  and  H.  Walser. 
1848.  John  W.  Thomas,  J.  M.  Leach,  H.  Walser. 
1850.  Saml.  Hargrave,  J.  M.  Leach,  Alfred  Forster. 


DAVIE  COUNTY.  137 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 


DAVIE  COUNTY. 


Davie  County  was  formed  in  1836  from  Rowan,  and  named  in 
honor  of  General  William  R.  Davie,  who  was  a  resident  of  Halifax 
County,  a  sketch  of  whose  life,  character  and  services  is  therein 
recorded,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred.     Chapter  XXXVI. 

It  is  located  in  the  north-west  part  of  North  Carolina,  and 
hounded  on  the  north  by  Yadkin  County,  east  by  the  Yadkin  River, 
which  separates  it  from  Davidson  County,  south  by  Rowan  County, 
and  west  by  Alexander  and  Iredell  Counties. 

Its  capital  is  Mocksville,  and  distant  one  hundred  and  twenty 
miles  west  of  Raleigh. 

Its  population  is  5613  whites;  2171  slaves;  82  free  negroes;  6997  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  products  are  313,538  bushels  corn;  307,040  lbs.  cotton;  54,145  bushels 
oats;  44,481  bushels  wheat;  8232  bushels  rye;  66,771  lbs.  tobacco;  5300 
lbs.  wool. 

Its  early  history  (being  so  recently  formed)  is  connected  with 
Rowan  County,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred. 

Hon.  Richmond  M.  Pearson,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
is  a  native  of  this  section.   For  his  biography  see  Chapter  on  Rowan  County. 

It  voted  with  Rowan  until  1842,  when  with  Rowan  it  formed  the  Forty-first 
Senatorial  District,  and  its  members  from  that  period  to  the  present  are — 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1842.  Samuel  Rebelin,  G.  A.  Miller. 

1844.  Nathaniel  Boyden,  G.  A.  Miller. 

1846.  Dr.  Samuel  E.  Kerr,  G.  A.  Miller. 

1848.  John  A,  Lillington,  M.  Clement. 

1850.  John  A.  Lillington,  Stephen  Douthet. 


138  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 


DUPLIN    COUNTY. 


Duplin  County  was  formed  as  early  as  1749,*  from  upper  part 
of  New  Hanover  County.  Its  early  settlers  were  Irish,  and  the 
name  reminded  them  of  Dublin,  their  ancient  capital. 

It  is  located  in  the  south-eastern  part  of  North  Carolina,  and  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Wayne  County,  on  the  east  by  Lenoir, 
Jones,  and  Onslow,  on  the  south  by  New  Hanover,  and  west  by 
Sampson  County. 

Its  capital  is  Kenansville,  distant  eighty-nine  miles  east  of  Raleigh. 

Its  population  is  7165  whites;  6007  slaves;  342  free  negroes;  11,111  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  products  are  1,346,229  lbs.  cotton  ;  244,584  bushels  corn ;  3525  bushels 
oats;  2683  bushels  wheat;  8603  lbs.  wool;  47,062  barrels  turpentine. 

The  early  history  of  Duplin  proves  that,  "in  the  days  that  tried 
men's  souls"  she  was  true  to  the  principles  of  liberty. 

Her  delegates  to  the  first  general  meeting  of  the  Deputies  of  the  inhabit- 
ants of  this  colony  at  Newbern,  25th  August,  1774,  were  Thomas  Gray, 
Thom>s  Hicks,  James  Kenan  and  William  Dickson. 

The  delegates  at  Newbern,  3d  April,  1775,  were  Thomas  Grat  and  Thomas 
Hicks. 

Delegates  at  Ilillsboro',  2l8t  August,  1775,  James  Kenan,  "William  Dick- 
son, Thomas  Gray,  Richard  Clinton  and  Thomas  Hicks. 

The  delegates  to  Halifax,  12th  November,  1776,  which  formed  our  Consti- 
tution, -James  Kenan,  Thomas  Gray,  "William  Dickson,  "William  Taylor  and 
James  Gillaspie. 

The  field  officers  for  Duplin,  appointed  by  the  Provincial  Congress,  4th 
April,  1776,  at  Halifax,  for  Duplin  County,  were  Thomas  Rutledge,  Colonel, 
James  Moore,  First  Major,  Robert  Dickson,  Second  Major. 

The  Oath  of  Allegiance  and  Abjuration,  adopted  with  sign- 
ers' names  in  Duplin,  from  the  original,  on  file  in  the  Clerk's  ofiice 
of  Duplin. 

I  am  indebted  to  the  politeness  of  Thomas  J.  Morisey,  Esq.  (sent 
to  me  in  1844),  for  this  ancient  document,  thus  preserving  the  name 
of  those  in  whose  breasts  glowed  the  true  spirit  of  liberty. 

"By  Act  of  Assembly  passed  at  Newbern,  the  15th  of  November,  1777." 
I,  A.  B.,  do  solemnly  and  sincerely  promise  and  swear,  that  I  will  be  faith- 
ful and  bear  true  allegiance  to  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  to  the  powers 
and  authorities  which  are  or  may  be  established  for  the  government  thereof, 
not  inconsistent  with  the  Constitution.     And  I  do  solemnly  and  sincerely  dc- 

*  Martin's  History  of  North  Carolina,  ii.  55. 


DUPLIN  COUNTY. 


139 


clare,  that  I  do  believe  in  my  conscience,  that  neither  the  King  of  Great 
Britain,  nor  the  Parliament  thereof,  jointly  with  the  said  king  or  separately, 
or  any  foreign  prince,  person,  state,  or  potentate,  have  or  ought  to  have  any 
right  or  title  to  the  dominion  or  sovereignty  of  this  State,  or  to  any  part  of 
the  government  thereof  And  I  do  renounce,  refuse,  and  abjure  any  alle- 
giance or  obedience  to  them,  or  any  of  them,  or  to  any  person  or  persons  put 
in  authority  by  or  under  them,  or  any  of  them.  And  I  will  do  my  utmost 
endeavors  to  disclose  and  make  known  to  the  legislative  or  executive  powers 
of  the  said  State,  all  treasons  and  traitorous  conspiracies  and  attempts  what- 
soever, which  I  shall  know  to  be  made  or  intended  against  the  said  State. 
And  I  do  faithfully  promise  that  I  will  endeavor  to  support,  maintain,  and 
defend  the  independence  of  the  said  State,  against  him  the  said  king  and  all 
other  persons  whatsoever.  And  all  these  things  I  do  plainly  and  sincerely 
acknowledge  and  swear,  according  to  these  express  wordsby  me  spoken, 
and  according  to  the  plain  common  sense  and  understanding  of  the  same 
words,  without  any  equivocation,  mental  evasion,  or  secret  reservation  what- 
soever. And  I  do  make  this  acknowledgment,  abjuration,  renunciation  and 
promise,  heartily,  willingly,  and  truly,  so  help  me  God. 


Ilenry  Cannon, 
Michael  Kenan, 
Kobert  Dickson, 
George  Smith, 
Alexander  Gray, 
Darcy  Fowler, 
Richard  Clinton, 
J.  Spiller, 
John  Molton, 


Samuel  Houston, 
James  Sampson, 
Thomas  Routledge, 
Richard  Herring, 
Joseph  Dicks, 
Thomas  R., 
Edward  Toole, 
Fleet  Cooper, 


William  Dickson, 
J.  Rand, 
John  Wright, 
James  Kenan, 
William  Tavlor, 
William  Ball, 
J.  P.  Ballard, 
James  Lockart. 


Hon.  Thomas  Kenan  was  a  native  of  this  County,  from  whose  family  the 
County  Town  takes  its  name.  He  represented  Duplin  in  ISO-t  in  the  Senate, 
and  from  1805  to  1811  he  was  a  member  of  Congress.  He  removed  to  Ala- 
bama, and  was  a  member  of  Assembly  in  that  State  for  many  years. 

He  died  near  Selma,  Alabama,  22d  October,  1843,  in  the  seventy-third  year 
of  his  age. 

Felix  Kenan,  who  was  Sheriff  of  Duplin  In  1776,  was  brought  before  the 
bar  of  the  Congress  for  his  Tory  principles.* 

Hon.  Charles  Hooks,  from  this  County,  was  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Commons  in  1802,  1803  and  1804,  and  in  the  Senate  in  1810-11,  and  in  Con- 
gress in  1816  to  1817  and  1819  to  1825.  He  removed  to  Alabama,  where  he 
recently  died. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Duplin  County,  from 
1777  to  1850-51 :— 


Years.  Senate. 

1777.  James  Kenan, 

1778.  James  Kenan, 

1779.  James  Kenan, 

1780.  James  Kenan, 

1782.  James  Kenan, 

1783.  James  Kenan, 

1784.  James  Gillaspie, 

1785.  James  Gillaspie, 

1786.  James  Gillaspie, 

1787.  James  Kenan, 

1788.  James  Kenan, 
1791.  James  Kenan, 


House  of  Commons. 
Richard  Clinton,  Robert  Dickson. 
Richard  Clinton,  Thos.  Hicks. 
Richard  Clinton,  James  Gillaspie. 
Joseph  Dickson,  James  Gillaspie. 
Richard  Clinton,  James  Gillaspie. 
James  Gillaspie,  Richard  Clinton. 
Robert  Dickson,  Richard  Clinton. 
Robert  Dickson,  Jos.  T.  Rhodes. 
Jos.  T.  Rhodes,  Ro])ert  Dickson. 
Robert  Dickson,  Charles  Ward. 
Robert  Dickson,  Charles  Ward. 
Jos.  T.  Rhodes,  James  PearsaU. 


*  See  Journal,  p.  37. 


140 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


i'ears.  Senate. 

1792.  James  Gillaspie, 

1793.  James  Kenan, 

1794.  Levin  Watkins, 

1795.  Levin  Watkins, 

1796.  Jos.  T.  Rhodes, 

1797.  Jos.  T.  Rhodes, 

1798.  Levin  Watkins, 

1799.  Levin  Watkins, 

1800.  Levin  Watkins, 

1801.  Levin  Watkins, 

1802.  Levin  Watkins, 

1803.  Levin  Watkins, ' 

1804.  Thomas  Kenan, 

1805.  Joseph  T.  Rhodes, 

1806.  Joseph  T.  Rhodes, 

1807.  Joseph  T.  Rhodes, 

1808.  Joseph  T.  Rhodes, 

1809.  Joseph  T.  Rhodes, 

1810.  Charles  Hooks, 

1811.  Charles  Hooks, 

1812.  Stephen  Miller, 

1813.  Joseph  Gillaspie, 

1814.  Joseph  Gillaspie, 

1815.  Joseph  Gillaspie, 

1816.  Daniel  Glisson, 

1817.  Daniel  Glisson, 

1818.  Daniel  Glisson, 

1819.  Daniel  Glisson, 

1820.  Daniel  Glisson, 

1821.  Daniel  L.  Kenan, 

1822.  Daniel  Glisson, 

1823.  Jeremiah  Pearsall, 

1824.  Jeremiah  Pearsall, 

1825.  John  E.  Hussej, 

1826.  Stephen  Miller, 

1827.  Andrew  Hurst, 

1828.  Stephen  Miller, 

1829.  Stephen  Miller, 

1830.  Stephen  Miller, 

1831.  Stephen  Miller, 

1832.  John  E.  Hussey, 

1833.  John  E.  Hussey, 

1834.  John  E.  Hussey, 

1835.  John  E.  Hussey, 

1836.  John  E.  Hussey, 
1838.  Jas.  K.  Hill, 
1840.  Jas.  K.  Hill, 
1842.  Austin  Levinson, 
1844.  James  K.  Hill, 
1846.  James  K.  Hill, 
1848.  James  K.  Hill, 
1850.  Amos  Uening, 


House  of  Commons. 

Shadrach  Stallings,  William  Beck. 
•Jos.  T.  Rhodes,  Jas.  Pearsall. 
Daniel  Glisson,  .Jos.  T.  Rhodes. 
AVm.  Dickson,  James  Middletoh. 
Daniel  Glisson,  James  Middleton. 
Joseph  Dixon,  Daniel  Glisson. 
Shadrach  Stallings,  Thos.  Kenan. 
Thomas  Kenan,  Daniel  Glisson. 
Charles  Hooks,  Thos.  Kenan. 
Shadrach  Stallings,  Charles  Hooks. 
Charles  Hooks,  Daniel  Glisson. 
Charles  Hooks,  Daniel  Glisson. 
Charles  Hooks,  Hugh  McCane. 
Daniel  Glisson,  Hugh  McCane. 
Daniel  Glisson,  Andrew  Mclntire. 
Daniel  Glisson,  Andrew  Mclntire. 
Daniel  Glisson,  Andrew  Mclntire. 
Daniel  Glisson,  David  Wright. 
Daniel  Glisson,  David  AVright. 
David  Wright,  Daniel  Glisson. 
David  Wright,  John  Beck. 
David  Wright,  John  Beck. 

David  Wright, Kornegay. 

David  Wright,  John  E.  Hussey. 
John  Pearsall,  John  E.  Hussey. 
John  Pearsall,  John  E.  Hussey. 
John  Pearsall,  John  E.  Hussey. 
John  Pearsall,  Stephen  Graham. 
Stephen  Graham,  James  Nixon. 
John  Watkins,  Andrew  Ilurst. 
Jas.  M.  Nixon,  Archd.  Maxwell. 
Stephen  Miller,  Wm.  H.  Frederick. 
James  M.  Nixon,  Stephen  Miller. 
Benjamin  Best,  Stephen  Miller. 
Benjamin  Best,  Wm.  K.  Frederick. 
Daniel  Glisson,  Jos.  Gillaspie. 
Wm.  Wright,  Jos.  Gillaspie. 
Wm.  Wright,  John  Farrier. 
Wm.  AVright,  Wm.  K.  Frederick. 
Wm.  Wright,  Jos.  Gillaspie. 
Jos.  Gillaspie,  Alex.  0.  Grady. 
Alex.  0.  Grady,  Jos.  Gillaspie. 
Jas.  K.  Hill,  Owen  R.  Kenan. 
Jas.  K.  Hill,  Owen  R.  Kenan. 
Owen  R.  Kenan,  Jas.  H.  Jarman. 
Jas.  H.  Jarman,  Hampton  Sullivan. 
Jas.  G.  Dickson,  Hampton  Sullivan. 
Isaac  B.  Kelly,  Jas.  G.  Dickson. 
I.  B.  Kelly,  J.  G.  Dickson. 
I.  B.  Kelly,  I.  P.  Davis. 
I.  B.  Kelly,  J.  G.  Dickson. 
I.  B.  Kelley,  H.  Matthis. 


EDGECOMBE  COUNTY.  141 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 


EDGECOMBE  COUNTY 


Edgecombe  County  was  formed,  from  Craven  County  in  1733, 
by  the  Governor  (Burrington)  and  Council,*  and  confirmed  by  the 
Legislature,  which  met  at  Edenton  in  1741. 

(  Its  name  is  Saxon,  and  signifies  "  a  valley  environed  with  hills,  "f 
and  is  derived  from  the  Earl  of  Mount  Edgecomhe,  who,  as  Capt. 
Edgecombe,  of  the  navy,  had  served  with  reputation  under  Admiral 
Byng,  in  1756,  in  Minorca,  Its  true  orthography  is  Edgecumbe, 
as  laid  down  in  the  old  maps,  and  in  the  History  of  England. J 

It  is  located  in  the  eastern  part  of  North  Carolina,  and  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Halifax  County,  east  by  Martin  County,  south  by 
Pitt,  Greene,  and  Wayne  Counties,  and  west  by  Nash  County. 

Tarborough  is  the  capital,  on  the  Tar  River,  distant  from  Ra- 
leigh seventy-six  miles.  The  original  name  of  Tar  River  was  Tau, 
which,  in  the  native  Indian  tongue,  means  "River  of  Health. "§ 

Its  population  is  8365  whites;  8547  slaves;  277  free  negroes ;  13,770  re- 
presentative population. 

Its  products  are  2,445,000  lbs.  cotton ;  715, GG6  bushels  corn ;  27,280 
bushels  oats ;  14,295  bushels  wheat;  7260  lbs.  wool ;  21,926  bbls.  turpentine  : 
114  bbls.  fish. 

The  fossil  remains  of  a  mammoth  skeleton,  the  back  bone  of 

which  is  visible,  near  the  Railroad  Bridge,  in  this  county,  will 

doubtless  attract  the  notice  of  the  State  Geologist. 

Edgecombe's  early  history  is  full  of  interest.  She  sent  to  that  assembly 
of  patriots,  who  met  at  Newbern,  21st  Aug.,  1775,  in  the  very  presence  of 
the  Eoyal  Governor,  as  delegates :  Egbert  Bignal,  Henry"  Irwist,  Duncan 
Lamon,  Thomas  Hunter,  and  Thomas  H.  Hall. 

She  sent  to  the  Congress  that  met  at  Halifax,  12th  Nov.,  1776,  and  which 
formed  our  Constitution :  William  Haywood,  Elisha  Battle,  Jonas  John- 
son, Isaac  Sessums,  and  William  Horn. 

By  the  resolve  of  the  Congress,  Hillsboro',  9th  Sept.,  1775,  for  the  Halifax 
District:  Nicholas  Long,  was  appointed  Colonel;  Henry  Irwin,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel;  Jethro  Sumner,  Major. 

By  the  same,  as  field  ofiicers  for  Edgecombe:  William  Haywood,  Colonel; 
Sherwood  Haywood,  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  Joseph  Moore,  1st  Major;  IIenrv 
HoRNE,  Jr.,  2d  Major. 

The  officers  appointed  for  Edgecombe  County  by  Congress,  at  Halifax,  4th 
April,  1776:  Exum  Lewis,  Colonel;  Simon  Gray,  Lieutenant-Colonel;  Jonas 
Johnson,  First  Major  ;  Thomas  Hunter,  Second  Major. 

Although,  from  her  inland  position,  Edgecombe  was  not  exposed 

*  Martin,  ii.  36.  f  Baily's  Dictionary.  %  Smollet,  i.  186. 

§  Lawson's  History  of  North  Carolina,  1714. 


142  HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLINA. 

to  danger  or  attack,  yet  her  brave  sons  were  alive  to  the  interests 
and  honor  of  our  common  country,  and  sent  them  forth  to  do 
battle  for  the  cause  of  liberty. 

Among  those  stands  conspicuous  the  name  of  Hexrt  Irwix.  He  Tvas  for 
a  long  time  a  merchant  in  Tarboro'  before  the  Revolution.  His  patriotic 
soul  -was  fired  with  the  deep  wrongs  that  England  constantly  inflicted  on  the 
Colonies,  He  was  a  member  from  Edgecombe  of  the  first  Assembly  that  ever 
met,  without  the  sanction  of  the  royal  authority,  and  in  open  opposition  to 
it;  and  they  met,  too,  to  show  that  no  covert  or  underhand  measures  were 
to  be  used,  in  the  very  presence  of  the  Royal  Governor  (Martin),  at  the  seat 
of  Royal  Rule,  Newborn,  21st  Aug.,  1775. 

The  moral  courage  of  such  an  act,  the  ultimate  effects,  and  the  personal  con- 
sequences to  the  actors,  have  never  been  considered  in  their  proper  view. 
Wrongs  had  been  inflicted,  the  feeling,  "  though  deep,  was  not  loud,"  and  no 
large  assembly  in  any  State  from  every  portion,  had  as  yet  raised  openly  the 
voice  of  resistance.  Yet  North  Carolina  did  this.  It  is  an  epoch  in  our  his- 
tory. This  Meeting  was  not  a  call  to  arms,  but  it  was  the  first  act  in  a  great 
drama,  in  which  men  and  arms,  and  blood  and  battle,  form  subordinate  parts. 
It  was  the  awful  tread  of  the  patriot  buckling  on  his  armor  for  contest;  it  was 
the  stern  resolve  of  freemen  "  to  do  or  die." 

The  resolutions  they  adopted  (unsurpassed  either  for  clearness  of  meaning, 
or  eloquence  of  expression,  will  vie  with  any  State  papers  of  any  period  of 
our  history),  declare  their  firm  inviolable  fidelity  to  their  Sovereign,  but  at  the 
same  time  declare  their  unalienable  rights  not  to  be  taxed,  but  by  their  own 
consent  freely  given  ;  that  the  right  of  trial  by  jury  of  the  vicinity,  is  the  only 
lawful  inquest  that  can  pass  upon  the  life  of  a  British  subject ;  a  right  handed 
down  from  earliest  ages,  confirmed  aud  sanctioned  by  the  Magna  Chai'ta 
itself;  and  that  the  act  empowering  the  Governor  to  send  persons  to  England 
for  trial,  was  "fraught  with  injustice,  and  would  be  opposed  even  to  blood- 
shed." 

These  were  men, 

■who  knew  their  rights, 


And  knowing-,  dared  maintain.' 


■'OJ 


Of  this  illustrious  body  was  Henry  Irwix.  These  were  the  principles  he 
believed  in,  and  when  it  became  necessary  he  was  willing  to  spend  his  for- 
tune and  lay  down  his  life  for  them. 

lie  was  appointed  Lieutenant-Colonel,  on  Sept.  9th,  1775,  in  the  same  regi- 
ment in  which  -Jethro  Sumner,  afterwards  so  distinguished  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  was  Major. 

He  fell  at  the  battle  of  Germantown,  in  Sept.,  1777,  at  the  same  time  that 
North  Carolina  lost  a  son,  whose  name  is  dear  to  her  memory.  General  Francis 
Nash,  brother  of  Governor  Abner  Nash,  and  uncle  to  Hon.  Frederick  Nash, 
now  one  of  our  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  Captain  Jacob  Turner,  of 
Bertie. 

Though  his  body  now  lies  in  the  soil  of  another  State,  his  name  belongs  to 
Edgecombe,  and  his  fame  and  character  are  hers.  His  noble  career  will  en- 
courage others  to  emulate  its  example,  and  his  heroic  death  cheer  and  inspire 
her  sons. 

-And  bv  his  litrht. 


Shall  every  gallant  youth  with  ardor  move, 
To  do  brave  deeds." 

Over  his  remains  at  Germantown,  by  the  patriotic  liberality  of  J.  F.  Watson, 
Esq.,*  a  marble  has  been  erected  bearing  this  inscription  : — 

*  The  thanks  of  the  State  and  the  gratitude  of  every  individual  of  North  Carolina  are 
due  to  Mr.  Watson,  author  of  "Annals  of  Philadelphia,"  for  his  generous  and  patriotic 
liberality  to  the  heroic  dead. 

He  stiil  lives  at  Germantown,  enjoying  life,  and  the  regard  and  respect  of  all  who  know 
him.  He  has  a  son  at  Wilson,  in  this  County,  to  whom  the  good  hand  of  fellowship  should 
be  extended  by  our  citizens  for  the  noble  conduct  of  his  excellent  sire. 


EDGECOMBE  COUNTY.  ^  J43 

IN  HONOR  TO  THE  BRAVE. 

Hie  jacet  in  pace. 

Colonel  Henry  Ir^vin,  of  North  Carolina, 

Captain  Turner, 

Adjutant  Lucas  and  six  soldiers, 

Killed  in  the  Battle  of  Germantowu. 

ONE  CAUSE,  ONE  GRAVE.  J-  F-  'W. 

Colonel  Irwin  left  three  sons,  and  several  daughters. 

Two  of  his  sons  died  without  issue,  the  third  died  leaving  a  son  and  two 
grand-daughters. 

One  of  his  daughters  married  in  Halifax,  and  whose  son,  Thomas  Burgess, 
died  without  being  married.  . 

Another  daughter  married  Governor  Stokes,  whose  daughter  married  the 
late  Wm.  B.  Lewis,  of  Tennessee,  Auditor  of  the  Treasury  of  the  United 
States.  Her  daughter  married  Mons.  Alphonse  Pageot,  late  Envoy  from 
France  to  United  States. 

The  sister  of  Colonel  Irwin  married  LaAvrence  Toole,  whose  son,  grandson, 
and  great-grandson,  bore  the  name  of  Henry  Irwin  Toole,  all  distinguished 
for  ability,  influence,  and  popularity  in  Edgecombe. 

Hon.  James  W.  Clarke  married  a  daughter  of  H.  I.  Toole,  the  first. 

The  name  of  Wif.  Haywood,  of  this  county,  appears  among  her  men  of 

We  regret  that  so  little  has  been  collected  of  his  birth,  services,  and  death. 
The  records  prove  that  in  various  offices,  both  civil  and  military,  he  was  a  true 
patriot  and  useful  citizen.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for 
the  Halifax  district,  1775,  a  member  of  our  State  Congress  at  Halifax  (April, 
177G),  and  also  of  the  State  Congress  which  met  at  the  same  place,  in  Aov., 
1776,  which  formed  the  Constitution.  He  Avas  one  of  the  Committee  which 
framed  that  Instrument.  He  was  elected  one  of  the  Counsellors  of  State ; 
the  first  ever  elected  in  our  State  (Dec,  1776).  , 

He  was  the  uncle  of  the  late  John  Haywood,  so  distinguished  both  in  this 
State  and  Tennessee,  as  a  writer  and  a  jurist.  He  was  the  father  of  the  late 
John  Haywood,  Treasurer  of  the  State  from  1787  to  1827,  after  whom  Hay- 
wood County  is  called  ;  and  of  the  late  Sherwood,  and  Stephen,  and  Wil- 
liam II.  Haywood,  Sen'r,  of  Raleigh,  who  is  the  father  of  the  Hon.  'W  m.  II. 
Haywood,  Jr.,  Senator  in  Congress,  from  1843  to  1846. 

Jonas  Johnson,  of  this  county,  is  a  name  which  deserves  our  remembrance 
and  respect.  He  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  in  1777-78.  He 
was  appointed  in  1776,  an  officer  (Major),  by  the  State  Congress.  ^  He  left 
all  the  comforts  of  home,  and  the  enjoyments  of  his  family,  and  joined  the 
standard  of  his  country.  He  was  severely  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Stono, 
fought  in  1779,  and  died  on  his  way  home,  leaving  several  children;  one  ot 
whom  was  the  maternal  grandfather  of  Hon.  llichard  Ilines,  now  of  Raleigh. 

Hon.  Thomas  Blount,  of  this  county,  is  distinguished  in  the  civil  history 

of  the  State.  .^        , 

He  was  a  member  of  Congress  from  this  district,  from  180o  to  i8UJ,  ana 
from  1811  to  1812,  1821  to  1823. 

He  married  Jacky,  daughter  of  General  Jethro  Sumner,  of  revolutionary 
renown  (see  AVarren,  Chapter  LXXVL),  and  died  at  Washington  City,  with- 
out issue.  He  was  the  brother  of  the  late  John  Gray  Blount,  of  A}  aslnngton. 
and  of  Governor  Wm.  Blount,  of  Tennessee,  who  was  Senator  in  Congress 
from  that  State,  and  who  was  expelled  from  the  Senate  on  July  8th,  1  (  J( ,  tor 
exciting  the  Indians  and  others  to  make  hostile  incursions  in  the  Spanish 

Territorv.  ,   _  i      t,„j 

His  widow,  Mrs.  Marv  S.  Blount  (daughter  of  General  Sumner,  who  had 
changed  her  name  from' Jacky),  died  about  thirty  years  ago,  bequeathing  a 
portion  of  her  large  estate  to  the  Episcopal  Church  at  Raleigh. 


144  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Hon.  Thomas  H.  Hall  is  a  resident  and  native  of  Edgecombe,  and  now 
enjoys  "  a  green  old  age"  in  retirement,  possessing  the  regard  of  his  country 
and  esteem  of  his  friends.  He  possesses  a  liberal  education,  and  is  a  physician 
by  profession.     He  springs  from  a  good  stock. 

In  1817,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  served  until  1825,  when 
he  was  again  a  candidate,  but  defeated  by  Hon.  Richard  Hines.  He  was  again 
elected  in  1827,  and  served  until  1835. 

He  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  General  Assembly  in  1836,  and  voted 
against  the  reception  by  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  of  any  part  or  portion 
of  the  surplus  revenue  from  the  United  States  Treasury.  His  public  career 
was  marked  with  a  devotion  to  popular  interests,  a  rigid  adherence  to  the  Con- 
stitution, and  a  stringent  economy. 

Late  John  Randolph,  of  Roanoke,  was  a  devoted  friend  and  constant  ad- 
mirer of  Dr.  Hall. 

Hon.  Richard  Hines  represented  this  county  in  1824,  and  this  district  in 
Congress,  in  1825.  He  now  resides  in  Raleigh,  and  is  distinguished  as  a 
gentleman  of  great  personal  worth  and  liberal  feelings. 

Hon.  Jajies  W.  Clark  was  a  native  of  Bertie  County,  and  educated  at 
Princeton  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1796.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Commons,  from  Bertie  County,  in  1802  and  1803,  and  from  Edge- 
combe, in  1811.  He  was  Presidential  Elector  in  1812,  and  a  member  of  the 
Senate  in  1812,  '13  and  '14,  and  in  1815,  was  elected  to  Congress.  He  served 
out  his  terra,  and  declined  a  re-election.  He  was  Chief  Clerk  of  the  Navy  De- 
partment in  1828,  when  General  Branch  held  the  post  of  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
under  Genei-al  Jackson,  which  post  he  soon  resigned,  and  died  in  the  sixty-fifth 
year  of  his  age,  esteemed  and  loved  by  all  who  knew  him. 

He  married  the  daughter  of  Colonel  Henry  Irwin  Toole,  by  whom  he  had 
several  children. 

His  son,  Colonel  Henry  T.  Clark,  is  the  present  Senator  from  this  county. 

With  the  County  of  Edgecombe,  in  the  councils  of  the  State,  for  more  than 
thirty  years,  is  associated  the  name  of  Louis  D.  Wilsox. 

Perhaps  no  son  was  ever  loved  by  a  fond  mother  with  more  idolatry  than 
was  this  distinguished  man  by  the  people  of  this  country,  and  with  all  the  fer- 
vor of  a  devoted  son  was  this  feeling  reciprocated.  "  They  loved  him  because 
he  first  loved  them."  His  youth  and  the  meridian  of  his  days  was  spent  in 
her  service,  and  he  laid  down  his  life  in  the  cause  of  his  country. 

General  Locis  Dicken  AVilsox  was  born  in  this  county,  on  the  12th  of 
May,  1789.  His  education  was  as  good  as  the  state  of  the  country  afibrded, 
but  he  was  taught  in  the  great  school  of  human  nature,  to  which  books  are 
mere  accessories  and  aids.  He  was  placed  at  the  age  of  eighteen  in  a 
counting-house,  in  Washington,  and  there  he  acquired  that  practical  know- 
ledge of  men,  habits  of  industry,  and  financial  ability,  that  tended  to  render 
him,  if  not  a  brilliant,  a  useful  representative  of  the  people. 

In  1815,  he  was  first  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  ;  and  from 
that  period  to  1846,  he  was,  with  but  little  intermission,  a  member  of  one  or 
the  other  branches  of  the  Legislature. 

In  1835,  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Convention  to  amend  the  Constitution. 
In  1842,  he  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the  Senate.  His  name  was  frequently  on 
the  Electoral  ticket  as  Elector  of  the  State,  for  President  and  Vice-President. 
In  1836,  as  one  of  the  Electors,  he  voted  for  M.  Van  Buren  as  President,  and 
R.  M.  Johnson  as  Vice-President. 

The  venerable  Nathaniel  Macon  was  President  of  this  college.  This  was 
Mr.  Macon's  last  public  act. 

His  whole  career,  embracing  a  long  period  of  more  tlian  thirty  years,  ex- 
hibits a  uniform  and  consistent  course.  In  early  youth  he  had  taken  his  po- 
sition with  prudence  and  examination.  The  experience  of  age  only  tended 
to  strengthen  the  predilections  of  his  youth.  He  was  a  firm,  consistent,  and 
unwavering  Democrat.  Without  any  pretensions  to  brilliancy  of  eloquence, 
he  sustained  his  positions  with  a  clearness  of  argument  and  strength  of  rea- 
soning that  elicited  the  respect,  if  he  failed  to  convince  his  opponents. 


EDGECOMBE  COUNTY.  145 

But,  if  his  career  as  a  public  man  was  consistent,  successful,  and  brilliant, 
this  was  exceeded  by  the  cause  and  manner  in  which  he  retired  from  the 
halls  of  legislation,  never  to  return. 

At  this  period,  our  Republic,  through  its  constitutional  organs,  had  de- 
clared that  "war  existed  with  Mexico."  American  blood  had  been  shed, 
and  American  rights  invaded  by  an  arrogant  and  cruel  nation.  This  called 
for  reparation.  The  President  makes  a  call  on  the  Governor,  and  the  Gover- 
nor on  the  people,  for  men.  Parties  were  divided,  and  some  delay  existed 
in  responding  to  this  call. 

Who  is  that  delicate  man,  with  his  head  frosted  with  the  snows  of  nearly 
sixty  winters,  raising  his  voice  and  calling  upon  the  people  of  Edgecombe 
to  show  themselves  worthy  of  their  country  ?  It  is  Louis  D.  "Wilson.  His 
voice  sounds  no  longer  feeble,  but  is  as  the  sound  of  a  trumpet.  The  sons 
of  Edgecombe  rally  around  him,  and  at  the  head  of  a  company  he  is  the 
first  to  oifer  his  sei-vices  to  the  Governor.  His  example  is  electrical ;  the  Regi- 
ment is  raised,  and  the  honor  of  the  State  preserved.  His  noble  and  patriotic 
conduct  touched  every  heart.  He  had  fought  in  the  civil  fields  of  1815  for  the 
liberty  of  his  country ;  he  is  now  to  fight  in  actual  battle  for  her  cause. 

On  the  31st  December,  1846,  the  journals  inform  us,  that  Mr.  Wilson  asked 
leave  of  absence  from  the  Senate.  It  is  granted.  Those  who  witnessed  this 
scene  never  can  forget  it.  The  aged  Senator  rises,  and,  with  that  ease  of 
manner  so  peculiar  and  natural  to  him,  bids  them  farewell.  The  Senators  in 
a  body  rise,  and  he  is  gone — never  to  return ! 

The  following  resolution,  reported  by  the  Committee  raised  upon  the  sub- 
ject, speak  the  record  of  this  interesting  occasion.* 

Mr.  Francis  (Senator  from  Haywood,  Macon,  and  Cherokee),  from  the  com- 
mittee raised  on  the  subject,  reported  the  following  preamble  and  resolution  : — 

"Whereas,  the  Senate  has  been  informed  that  one  of  its  members  is  about 
to  leave  the  halls  of  legislation,  in  North  Carolina,  to  assume  the  more  ardu- 
ous and  perilous  duties  of  the  camp  and  the  battle-field,  as  commander  of  the 
volunteer  companies  from  the  County  of  Edgecombe  ;  and  whereas,  no  differ- 
ence of  opinion  as  to  the  commencement  of  the  existing  war  between  the 
United  States  and  the  Republic  of  Mexico  should  induce  members  of  this  body 
to  withhold  an  expression  of  the  opinion  they  entertain  as  to  the  self-sacrificing 
'  and  patriotic  conduct  of  the  Senator  referred  to. 

"Be  it  therefore  unanimously  resolved  by  the  Senate  of  North  Carolina,  now 
in  session,  that,  in  separating  from  their  fellow-member,  the  Honoral)le  Louis 
D.Wilson,  Senator  from  Edgecombe,  with  whom  many  members  of  this  body 
have  been  associated  for  years  in  the  Senate  Chamber,  they  cannot  withhold 
the  expression  of  their  high  sense  of  his  ahle,  dignified,  and  patriotic  services 
as  a  laember  of  the  Senate,  and  further,  to  express  the  conviction  that  in  the 
more  arduous  and  hazardous  duties  of  the  battle-field  he  will  be  no  less  distin- 
guished for  patriotism,  courage,  and  never-failing  devotion  to  the  cause  of  his 
country.' 

On  which  Mr.  Gilmer,  of  Guilford,  called  for  the  yeas  and  nays,  and  the 
resolution  passed  uaaniinouslij. 

He  marches  to  Mexico  with  the  North  Carolina  Regiment,  in  the  humble 
rank  of  a  subaltern.  The  President  of  the  United  States,  without  his  know- 
ledge or  consent,  but  by  recommendation  of  the  Senators  of  the  State,  who 
difi'ered  with  General  AVilson  in  politics,  appointed  him  to  the  command  of  the 
12th  Regiment  of  Infantry  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States. 

While  anxiously  and  constantly  superintending  a  forward  movement  of 
this  regiment  from  Vera  Cruz  to  the  Capital,  he  is  seized  with  the  fever  of 
the  country,  and  on  the  12th  of  August,  1847,  his  generous  spirit  took  its 
flight  to  another  world. 

His  munificent  legacy  "to  the  poor  of  Edgecombe"  will  remain  to  all  timo 
as  an  evidence  of  his  atfection  for  her  people.  Nature  had  made  him  child- 
less, that  the  people  of  Edgecombe  might  call  him  father ! 

His  remains  have  been  brought  from  Mexico  to  Tarborough,  where  a  monu- 
ment marks  the  hallowed  spot.    His  remains  most  appropriately  rest  in 

*  Journal  of  1846,  (page  132.) 


146  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Edgecomhe ;  but  h^  memory  and  his  name  will  find  a  cenotaph  in  the  heart 
of  every  North  Carolinian. 

Eltsha  Battle  -was  born  in  Nansemond  County,  Va.,  9th  January,  1723. 
In  the  year  1743  he  moved  to  Tar  River,  in  this  county.  In  1771  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Assembly,  and  served  many  years. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  State  Congress  that  met  at  Halifax  in  November, 
1776,  which  body  formed  our  State  Constitution  ;  a  firm  and  decided  patriot. 

He  was  distinguished  for  his  patriotism  and  piety,  and  was  an  exemplary 
and  consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  He  died  on  the  6th  of  March, 
1799,  in  the  76th  year  of  his  age,  leaving  several  children.* 

Hon.  William  H.  Battle,  one  of  the  Judges  of  our  Superior  Court,  is  a 
native  of  Edgecombe  County. 

Judge  Battle  was  born  in  1802.  He  was  graduated  at  Chapel  Hill  in 
1820.     He  read  law  with  Judge  Henderson,  and  was  licensed  in  1824. 

He  entered  public  life  in  1833,  and  was  re-elected  in  1834,  as  a  member  of 
the  House  of  Commons  from  Franklin  County. 

He  was  appointed  one  of  the  Commissioners  under  act  of  1834,  to  revise 
the  statute  law  of  the  State,  with  Frederick  Nash  and  James  Iredell. 

He  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  in  1840,  and  in  1848  he 
was  appointed  by  the  Governor  and  Council,  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
which,  not  being  confirmed  by  the  Legislature,  he  resigned  in  1848.  In 
1849  he  was  elected  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  which  appointment 
he  now  holds. 

He  married  in  June,  1825,  Lucy,  daughter  of  Kemp  Plummer,  Esq.,  by 
whom  he  has  an  interesting  family.  Patient,  polite,  and  laborious,  his  labors 
are  alike  creditable  to  himself  and  acceptable  to  the  State.  Judge  Battle 
now  resides  at  Chapel  Hill,  at  the  university  of  which  he  is  one  of  the  Pro- 
fessors (of  law). 

List  of  Members  of  the  General  Assembly  for  Edgecombe  County 
from  1777  to  1851. 

Years.  Senators.  House  of  Commons. 

1777.  Elisha  Battle,  Jonas  Johnston,  Nathan  Boddie. 

1778.  Elisha  Battle,  Jonas  Johnston,  Isaac  Sessums. 

1779.  Elisha  Battle,  William  Haywood,  Etheldred  Esum. 

1780.  Elisha  Battle,  Etheldred  Gray,  Henry  Horn,  Jr. 

1781.  Elisha  Battle,  Robert  Diggs,  James  Wilson. 

1782.  Isaac  Sessums,  Robert  Diggs,  James  Wilson. 

1783.  Elisha  Battle,  Robert  Diggs,  James  Wilson. 

1784.  Isaac  Sessums,  Robert  Diggs,  John  Dobien. 

1785.  Elisha  Battle,  Etheldred  Phillips,  Robert  Diggs. 

1786.  Elisha  Battle,  Etheldred  Phillips,  Robert  Diggs. 

1787.  Elisha  Battle,  Robert  Diggs,  John  Dobien. 

1788.  Etheldred  Gray,  Wm.  Fort,  Joshua  Killibrew. 

1789.  Etheldred  Gray,  John  Leigh,  Bythel  Bell. 

1790.  Etheldred  Phillips,  John  Leigh,  Bythel  Bell. 

1791.  Etheldred  Phillips,  John  Leigh,  Bythel  Bell. 

1792.  Etheldred  Phillips,  John  Leigh,  Thomas  Blount. 

1793.  Etheldred  Phillips,  John  Leigh,  Jeremiah  Hilliard. 

1794.  William  Gray,  John  Leigh,  Jeremiah  Hilliard. 

1795.  William  Gray,  John  Leigh,  David  Coffield. 

1796.  Nathan  Mayo,  Bythell  Bell,  John  Leigh. 

1797.  Nathan  Mayo,  Nathan  Gilbert,  Frederic  Phillips. 

1798.  Thomas  Blount,  Adam  John  Haywood,  Jeremiah  Haywood. 

1799.  Thomas  Blount,  Lawrence  O'Bryan,  Jeremiah  Hilliard. 

1800.  Bythell  Bell,  Jeremiah  Hilliard,  Wm.  Ilyman. 

1801.  Richard  Harrison,  Jeremiah  Hilliard,  George  Brownrigg. 

1802.  Richard  Harrison,  George  Brownrigg,  Jeremiah  Hilliai'd. 

1803.  Richard  Harrison,  Jeremiah  Hilliard,  Geo.  Brownrigg. 

*  History  of  the  Kehukee  Association. 


FORSYTHE  COUNTY. 


147 


Years. 

1804. 

1805. 

1806. 

1807. 

1808. 

1809. 

1810. 

1811. 

1812. 

1813. 

1814. 

1815. 

1816. 

1817. 

1818. 

1819. 

1820. 

1821. 

1822. 

1823. 

1824. 

1825. 

1826. 

1827. 

1828. 

1829. 

1830. 

1831. 

1832. 

1833. 

1834. 

1835. 

1836. 

1838. 

1840. 

1842. 

1844. 

1846. 

1848. 
1850. 


Senators. 
Richard  Harrison, 
Richard  Harrison, 
Richard  Harrison, 
Richard  Harrison, 
Henry  I.  Toole, 
Henry  I.  Toole, 
Henry  I.  Toole, 
Henry  I.  Toole, 
James  W,  Clark, 
James  W.  Clark, 
James  W.  Clark, 
Joseph  Bell, 
Joseph  Bell, 
James  Benton, 
James  Benton, 
James  Benton, 
Louis  D.  Wilson, 
Hardy  Flowers, 
Hardy  Flowers, 
Hardy  Flowers, 
Louis  D.  Wilson, 


Louis  D 
Louis  D 
Louis  D 
Louis  D 
Louis  D 


Wilson, 
Wilson, 
Wilson, 
Wilson, 
Wilson, 


Louis  D.  Wilson, 
Louis  D.  Wilson, 
Louis  D.  Wilson, 
Hardy  Flowers, 
Hardy  Flowers, 
Benjamin  Sharpe, 
Thomas  H.  Hall, 
Louis  D.  Wilson, 
Louis  D.  Wilson, 
Louis  D.  Wilson, 
Louis  D.  Wilson, 
Louis  D.  Wilson, 
Wyatt  Moye, 
Henry  T.  Clarke, 


House  of  Commons. 
Geo.  Brownrigg,  Henry  Haywood. 
Jos.  Farmer,  Luke  W.  Sumner. 
Luke  W.  Sumner,  Henry  I.  Toole. 
Henry  I.  Toole,  John  Cotton. 
JS'athan  Stancil,  Hardy  Flowers. 
Hardy  Flowers,  Wm.  Balfour. 
Jas.  W.  Clarke,  Hardy  Flowers. 
AVm.  Balfour,  Jas.  W.  Clark. 
Joseph  Farmer,  James  Benton. 
Joseph  Farmer,  James  Benton. 
Joseph  Farmer,  James  Benton. 
James  Benton,  Louis  D.  Wilson. 
James  Benton,  Louis  D.  Wilson. 
Louis  D.  Wilson,  John  Horn. 
Louis  D.  Wilson,  John  Horn. 
L.  D.  Wilson,  Moses  Baker. 
William  Wilkins,  Moses  Baker. 
Jos.  R.  Lloyd,  William  Wilkins. 
Wm.  Wilkins,  Moses  Baker. 
Wm.  Wilkins,  Moses  Baker. 
Henry  Bryan,  Richard  Hines. 
Henry  Bryan,  Moses  Baker. 

Benjamin  Sharpe,  Hardy  Flowers.^ 
Benjamin  Sharpe,  Benjamin  Wilkinson. 

Benjamin  Sharpe,  Benjamin  Wilkinson. 

Moses  Baker,  Gray  Little. 

Hardy  Flowers,  Gray  Little. 

Redding  Pittraan,  Hardy  Flowers. 

Gray  Little,  John  W.  Potts. 

John  W.  Potts,  Turner  Bynum. 

John  W.  Potts,  Turner  Bynum. 

S.  Deberry,  Jos.  J.  Pipkin. 

Jos.  J.  Daniel,  James  George. 

Robert  Bryan,  Wm.  S.  Baker. 

Wm.  S.  Baker,  Joshua  Barnes. 

Joshua  Barnes,  Ralph  E.  McNair. 

Joshua  Barnes,  R.  R.  Bridgers. 

Wyatt  Moye,  AVm.  F.  Daucy. 

Wm.  F.  Dancy,  Wm.  Thigpen. 
Joshua  Barnes,  Kenneth  Thigpen. 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 


FORSYTHE  COUNTY. 


FoRSYTHE  County  was  formed  in  1848,  from  Stokes  County. 

Forsvthe  County  derives  its  name  from  Col.  Benjamin  FoRSVTnE,  of  Stokes 
County^  who  resided  in  Germantown.     In  1807,  he  represented  Stokes  County 

in  the  House  of  Commons.  n     .-       f  o  p;flo  rmnninv   and 

In  the  war  of  1812  he  was  appointed  a  Captain  of  a  I^^^^^.^f^^'^P^'^A^i^^ 
marched  to  Canada,  whore,  in  a  skirmish  in  1814,  he  was  killed,     ioi 
biography,  see  chapter  Ixxi.,  Stokes  County. 


148  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

It  is. located  in  the  north-western  part  of  the  State,  and  is 
hounded  on  the  north  hy  Stokes  County,  east  hy  Guilford  County, 
south  by  Davidson  County,  and  west  by  Yadkin  County. 

Its  capital  is  Winston,  and  is  distant  from  Raleigh  one  hundred 
and  ten  miles.  This  village  preserves  the  name  of  Joseph  Winston, 
who  rendered  important  military  services  in  the  Revolution,  and 
civil  services  since. 

Its  population  is  9,663  whites ;  1,353  slaves ;  152  free  negroes  ;  10,666  re- 
resentative  population. 

If  the  history  of  North  Carolina,  as  has  been  stated  by  an 
eminent  writer,  is  yet  to  be  written,  the  Legislature,  in  later  days,  by 
recording  the  names  of  her  sons  on  her  new  counties  and  towns,  has 
endeavored  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  those  who  have  done  her 
service  in  the  field  and  Senate,  and  whose  history,  when  examined 
and  written,  is  the  best  record  of  the  State. 

The  name  of  Benjamin  Forsythe  is  worthy  of  being  preserved  by 
the  State,  for  his  life  was  offered  up  on  the  altar  of  his  country. 

The  name  of  Joseph  Winston  is  one  worthy  of  notice.  He  was  a  native 
of  Stokes.  He  was  the  early  and  devoted  friend  of  liberty.  In  1775  and 
1776,  he  represented  Stokes  in  the  meetings  of  the  patriots  of  that  day. 

He  was,  in  1777,  appointed  by  Governor  Caswell,  Commissioner  to  treat 
with  the  Cherokee  Indians,  and  associated  with  Col.  Waightstill  Avery,  Wil- 
liam Sharpe,  and  Robert  Lanier,  made  the  treaty  of  the  Long  Island  of 
Ilolston,  by  which  the  Indians  ceded  all  their  lands  lying  in  the  States  of 
Tennessee,  North  Carolina,  and  Virginia. 

He  was  one  of  those  gallant  spirits  who  led  the  brave  mountaineers  on  the 
heights  of  King's  Mountain  on  the  7th  of  October,  1780,  and  drove  the  British 
and  Tories  from  their  position,  a  position  which  their  officer,  Colonel  Fergu- 
son, impiously  had  declared,  "that  God  Almighty  could  not  drive  them 
from."  He  was  a  Major  in  this  battle,  and  with  Colonel  McDowell  and  Se- 
vier, commanded  the  right  wing  in  that  fierce  and  bloody  affair. 

For  the  particulars  of  which  the  reader  is  referred  to  Chapter  X.  (Burke 
County),  biography  of  General  Charles  McDowell,  and  (Chapter  XX.  Cleave- 
land  County)  biography  of  Governor  Isaac  Shelby. 

In  1791,  he  was  the  first  Senator  elected  from  the  (then)  recently  erected 
county  of  Stokes,  which  he  occasionally  served  in  the  Legislature  as  late  as 
1812.    He  was  a  member  of  Congress  in  1793  to  1795,  and  in  1803  to  1807. 

He  lived  near  Germantown,  and  died  in  1814,  leaving  a  large  family.  He 
was  remarkable  for  his  devoted  patriotism,  and  regard  for  popular  rights,  and 
more  for  these  qualities,  than  for  either  literary  acquirements  or  intellectual 
power. 

The  County  of  Forsythe  has  no  separate  member  from  Stokes  until  after 
the  next  session  of  the  General  Assembly. 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


149 


CHAPTER   XXX. 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 


Franklin  County  was  founded  in  1779.  The  General  Assembly 
in  that  year  obliterated  the  name  of  Bute,  and  divided  its  territory 
into  the  counties  of  Franklin  and  Warren.  It  derives  its  name 
from  Benjamin  Franklin,  the  Philosopher  and  Sage,  who  rendered 
such  signal  services  to  his  country  in  the  Revolution  in  a  civil  capa- 
city. He  was  born  Jan.  1706,  in  Boston,  and  died  in  Philadelphia, 
April,  1790,  where  he  lies  buried. 

It  is  located  near  the  centre  of  the  State,  joining  Wake  County, 
in  which  is  the  seat  of  Government.  Bounded  on  the  north  by 
Warren,  east  by  Nash,  south  by  Johnson,  and  west  by  Wake 
Counties. 

Its  capital  is  Lewisburg,  and  is  distant  36  miles  east  of  Raleigh. 

Its  early  history  is  connected  with  Warren,  from  which  old  Bute 
was  formed  (see  Warren,  Chapter  LXXVI). 

"  There  were  no  Tories  in  Bute,"  was  regarded  as  a  fixed  fact; 
the  whole  country  as  one  man,  was  for  Independence  and  liberty. 

Population  of  Franklin,  5,685  whites;  5,507  slaves;  521  free  negroes; 
9,510  representative  population. 

Products,  451,909  lbs.  tobacco ;  437,277  bushels  corn  ;  577,993  bushels  oats ; 
14,456  bushels  wheat;  538,320 lbs.  cotton;  8,968  lbs.  wool. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Franklin  County,  from 
the  date  of  its  erection  to  the  last  Session,  1850-51. 


Years.        Senators. 

1780.  Henry  Hill, 

1781.  Henry  Hill, 

1782.  Henry  Hill, 

1783.  A.  M.  Foster, 

1784.  Henry  Hill, 

1785.  Henry  Hill, 

1786.  Henry  Hill, 

1787.  Henry  Hill, 

1788.  Thomas  Brickell, 

1789.  Henry  Hill, 

1790.  Henry  Hill, 

1791.  Henry  Hill, 

1792.  William  Christmas, 

1793.  William  Christmas, 

1794.  Henry  Hill, 

1795.  Henry  Hill, 

1796.  James  Gray, 

1797.  Henry  Hill, 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
Joseph  Bryant,  William  Brickell. 
William  Brickell,  William  Green. 
William  Brickell,  William  Green. 
Simon  Jeffreys,  Harrison  Macon. 
Durham  Hall,  Thomas  Sherrod. 
Durham  Hall,  Thomas  Sherrod. 
Durham  Hall,  Richard  Ranjoin. 
Thomas  Sherrod,  Jordan  Hill. 
Jordan  Hill,  Brittain  Harris. 
Thomas  Sherrod,  Durham  Hall. 
Thomas  Sherrod,  Jordan  Hill. 
Archibald  Davis,  John  Foster. 
John  Foster,  Thomas  K.  Wynn. 
John  Foster,  Brittain  Harris. 
John  Foster,  Brittain  Harris. 
Brittain  Harris,  Archibald  Davis. 
Brittain  Harris,  Archibald  Davis. 
John  Foster,  Brittain  Harris. 


150 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senators. 

179».  Henry  Hill, 

1799.  Jordan  Hill, 

1800.  Jordan  Hill, 

1801.  Jordan  lini, 

1802.  Jordan  Hill, 

1803.  Jordan  Hill, 

1804.  John  Foster, 

1805.  John  Foster, 

1806.  John  Foster, 

1807.  John  Foster, 

1808.  John  Foster, 

1809.  Benjamin  Brickell, 

1810.  Benjamin  Brickell, 

1811.  Benjamin  Brickell, 

1812.  James  J.  Hill, 

1813.  James  J.  Hill, 

1814.  Benjamin  F.  Hawkins, 

1815.  Thomas  Lanier, 

1816.  Benjamin  F.  Hawkins, 

1817.  James  J.  Hill, 

1818.  James  J.  Hill, 

1819.  Benjamin  F.  Hawkins, 

1820.  James  Houze, 

1821.  James  Houze, 

1822.  James  Houze, 

1823.  Charles  A.  Hill. 

1824.  Charles  A.  Hill, 

1825.  Charles  A.  Hill, 

1826.  Charles  A.  Hill, 

1827.  James  Houze, 

1828.  Henry  J.  G.  Ruffin, 

1829.  William  P.  Williams, 

1830.  William  P.  Williams, 

1831.  William  P.  Williams, 

1832.  William  P.  Williams, 

1833.  Thomas  G.  Stone, 

1834.  John  D.  Hawkins, 

1835.  Henry  G.  Williams, 

1836.  John  D.  Hawkins, 
1838.  John  D.  Hawkins, 
1840.  John  D.  Hawkins, 
1842.  William  P.  Williams, 
1844.  William  A.  Jeffreys, 
1846.  John  E.  Thomas, 
1848.  James  Collins, 
1850.  James  Collins, 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
John  Foster,  Archibald  Davis.  _ 
Brittain  Harris,  Archibald  Davis. 
Brittain  Harris,  Thomas  Lanier. 
Eppes  Moody,  James  Seawell. 
Eppes  Moody,  James  Seawell. 
Brittain  Harris,  James  Seawell. 
Eppes  Moody,  Brittain  Harris. 
Eppes  Moody,  -James  J.  Hill. 
Eppes  Moody  Thomas  Lanier. 
Eppes  Moody,  Thomas  Lanier. 
James  J.  Hill,  Thomas  J.  Alston. 
James  J.  Hill,  Thomas  Lanier. 
Eppes  Moody,  Thomas  Lanier. 
Benjamin  F." Hawkins,  Eppes  Moody. 
Thomas  Lanier,  Benjamin  F.  Hawkins. 
Benjamin  F.  Hawkins,  Thomas  Lanier. 
Thomas  Lanier,  Nathaniel  Hunt. 
Nathaniel  Hunt,Marma.  D.  Jeffreys. 
Nathaniel  Hunt,  Marma.  D.  Jeffreys. 
James  Houze,  William  Harrison. 
William  Harrison,  James  Houze. 
M.  N.  Jeffreys,  T.  Terrell. 
William  Moore. 
John  D.  Hawkins. 
Lark  Fox,  Guilford  Lewis. 
Lark  Fox,  Guilford  Lewis. 
Lark  Fox,  Guilford  Lewis. 
William  J.  Williams,  James  Houze. 
James  Houze,  Joel  King. 
Joel  Kin^,  Henry  J.  G.  RufBn. 
Richard  Ward,  William  J.  Branch. 
William  J.  Branch,  Thomas  J.  Russell. 
William  J.  Branch,  Gideon  Glenn. 
Gideon  Glenn,  James  Davis. 
Alfred  A.  Lancaster,  Nath.  R.  Tunstall. 
AVilliam  H.  Battle,  Jos.  J.  Maclin. 
William  H.  Battle,  Jos.  J.  Maclin. 
Thomas  Howerton,  Simon  G.  Jeffreys. 
Thomas  Howerton,  Jos.  J.  Maclin. 
Thomas  Howerton,  William  P.  Williams. 
Young  Patterson,  Thomas  Howerton. 
Young  Patterson,  John  E.  Thomas. 
William  K.  Martin,  James  Collins. 
William  K.  Martin,  James  Collins. 
William  K.  JMartin,  D.  W.  Spivey. 
William  K.  Martin,  Josiah  Bridges. 


GASTON  COUNTY.  151 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 


GASTON  COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation — Origin  of  name — Situation  and  boundaries — Spencer's 
mountain — Life  of  Rev.  Humphrey  Hunter,  who  was  present  at  Charlotte, 
20th  May,  1775,  and  an  eye-witness  of  the  death  of  Baron  de  Kalb  at  Cam- 
den (Aug.  1780) — Fight  with  pine-knots— Life  of  Major  Wm.  Chronicle, 
John  Mattocks,  John  Moore,  and  Wm.  Rankin,  all  of  the  Revolution. 

Gaston  County  -was  formed  in  1846,  from  Lincoln  County, 
and  derives  its  name  from  William  Gaston,  late  one  of  the  Judges 
of  the  Supreme  Court,  for  whose  character,  life,  and  services,  the 
reader  is  referred  to  Craven  County,  Chapter  XXII. 

It  is  situated  in  the  south-western  part  of  the  State,  and  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Lincoln  County,  east  by  the  Catawba 
River,  which  separates  it  from  Mecklenburg  County,  south  by  the 
South  Carolina  line,  and  West  by  Cleaveland  County. 

Its  capital  is  Dallas,  named  in  compliment  to  the  Hon.  George 
M.  Dallas,  of  Philadelphia,  who  was  Vice-President  of  the  United 
States  in  1844. 

Its  population,  according  to  the  census  of  1850,  is  5,928  whites;  2,112 
slaves  ;  33  free  negroes ;  7,228  representative  population. 

Its  early  history  is  connected  with  Lincoln  County,  to  wdiich  the 
reader  is  referred,  as  well  as  for  its  members  of  Assembly,  with 
which  it  votes  until  after  the  next  session  of  1852. 

Spencer's  Mountain,  in  this  County,  derives  its  name  from  Zack  Spencer, 
who  was  a  Tory  in  the  Revolution,  lie  was  taken  (caught  asleep)  by  John 
IMoore  and  six  others.  They  held  a  court,  and  had  a  mock  trial,  and  Spencer 
was  condemned  to  die.  He  begged  hard  for  his  life,  and  promised  fidelity  to 
the  cause  of  liberty.  On  condition  of  his  swearing  to  adhere  to  the  State, 
and  oppose  the  English,  he  was  released.  For  want  of  a  Bible,  he  took  the 
oath  of  allegiance  on  an  old  almanac. 

The  character  of  the  Rev.  Humphrey  Hunter,  who  resided  in  this 

county  when  Lincoln,  deserves  a  place  in  our  sketches.     We  here 

insert  it.     As  a  Christian,  as  a  patriot,  and  as  a  citizen,  his  career 

is  worthy  of  our  regard  and  esteem. 

Rev.  Humphrey  Hunter,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  a  distinguished 
soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  afterwards  an  eminent  minister  of  the  Gospel. 
From  his  own  manuscript  narrative  of  his  early  history  and  revolutionary  ser- 
vices, now  on  file  in  the  Governor's  office  at  Raleigh,  we  learn,  that  he  was 
born  on  the  14th  of  May,  1755,  in  the  vicinity  of  Londonderry,  Ireland. 

His  father  was  well  known  in  his  day,  as  a  respectable  drapei-y  merchant 
on  the  "  Bleach-green  Farm."  His  paternal  grandfather  was  from  Glasgow, 
Scotland.  His  maternal  grandfather  was  from  Brest,  in  France.  His  descent 
is  thus  traced  to  the  Scotch,  Irish,  and  French  Huguenots — that  stock  of  per- 
secuted people,  whose  self-expatriation  so  greatly  contributed  to  the  spread 

19 


152  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

cf  civil  and  religious  liberty  in  different  portions  of  the  world.  In  America, 
tlie  asylum  of  the  oppressed  of  all  nations,  and  especially  on  the  soil  of  the 
Carolinas,  many  of  their  descendants  occupy  a  proud  position  on  the  page  of 
history,  and  acted  a  magnanimous  part  in  the  cause  of  freedom.  At  four 
years  of  age  he  was  deprived  by  death  of  his  father.  His  widowed  mother 
resided  on  the  same  farm  several  years  after  this  bereavement.  About  this 
time  the  cheap  and  fertile  lands  of  the  New  World,  and  unrestricted  enjoy- 
ment of  religious  worship,  were  powerful  inducements  in  alluring  to  the 
American  shores  a  numerous  foreign  emigration.  Influenced  by  the  flatter- 
ing prospect  of  future  comfort,  and  providing  more  easily  for  a  rising  family, 
his  mother  embarked  on  the  3d  of  May,  1759,  in  the  ship  Helena,  bound  for 
Charleston,  S.  C.  On  the  27th  of  August  following,  the  vessel  safely  reached 
its  destination.  A  few  days  after  her  arrival  she  procured  a  conveyance, 
proceeded  to  the  eastern  part  of  Mecklenburg  County  (now  Cabarrus),  pur- 
chased a  small  tract  of  land  not  far  from  Poplar  Tent  Church,  and  remained 
during  life.  In  this  neighborhood  Humphrey  Hunter  grew  up,  emancipated 
from  a  state  of  bondage,  inhaling  the  salubrious  breeze  of  a  free  clime,  and 
imbibing  the  principles  of  genuine  liberty.  But  this  state  of  happiness  was 
soon  to  be  interrupted.  The  repeated  aggressions  of  Great  Britain,  deroga- 
tory to  the  honor  and  subversion  of  the  just  rights  of  the  American  people, 
aroused  a  spirit  of  resistance  which  terminated  in  the  Revolution.  The 
crisis  rapidly  approached.  On  the  19th  of  April,  1775,  the  battle  of  Lexington 
was  fought.  To  use  his  own  forcible  language,  "  that  was  a  wound  of  a 
deepening  gangrenous  nature,  not  to  be  healed  without  amputation."  Intel- 
ligence of  the  affair  speedily  spread  abroad.  Xo  sooner  had  it  reached 
Mecklenburg,  than  patriotic  fire  glowed  in  every  breast.  It  burst  into  a 
flame,  and  blazed  through  every  corner  of  the  county.  Communications 
from  one  to  another  were  made  with  great  facility.  Committees  were  held  in 
various  neighborhoods.     Every  man  was  a  politician ;  every  man  was  a  soldier. 

"Fire  in  each  breast,  and  freedom  on  each  brow." 

In  this  connection,  what  a  beautiful  tribute  does  he  pay  to  the  nursing 
mothers  of  the  Revolution.  "  Neither  were  our  mothers  silent  on  that  all- 
important  subject.  'Go,  men,'  said  they,  'go  league  yourselves  together — 
take  up  arms — go  to  the  field  of  battle — go,  fight  for  the  freedom  of  your- 
selves, of  your  wives,  and  your  children.  Let  us  never  be  slaves.'  Well  do 
I  remember  the  advice  of  my  mother — '  Go,  son — go  join  yourself  to  the  men 
of  our  country,  for  this  is  our  country.  We  ventured  our  lives  on  the  waves 
of  the  ocean  in  quest  of  the  freedom  promised  us  here.  Go  fight  for  it ;  and 
rather  let  me  hear  of  your  death  than  of  your  cowardice.'  " 

In  a  short  time  this  patriotic  advice  of  his  mother  was  called  into  action. 
"  Orders  were  presently  issued,"  continues  his  narrative,  "  by  Col.  Thomas 
Polk  to  the  several  militia  companies,  two  men,  selected  from  each  beat, 
to  meet  at  the  Court  House  at  Charlotte,  on  the  19th  of  May,  1775,  in 
order  to  consult  with  each  other  upon  such  measures  as  might  be  thought 
best  to  be  pursued.  Accordingly,  on  said  day,  a  far  larger  number  than  two 
out  of  each  company  were  present."  Drawn  by  the  excitement  of  the  occa- 
sion, he  attended  the  convention  in  Charlotte  on  the  appointed  day.  lie  was 
then  a  few  days  upwards  of  twenty  years  old,  and  mingled  with  the  nume- 
rous crowd  of  spectators  who  witnessed  the  proceedings  of  that  memorable 
body.  He  then  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  listening  to  the  reading  of  the  first 
public  Declaration  of  Independence  in  the  United  States,  and  joined  in  the 
shuut  of  approval  which  burst  forth  from  a  large  and  deepljwnterested  audi- 
ence. The  bloody  massacre  at  Lexington  increased  the  patriotic  ardor  of  the 
day,  and  a  detei-mined  spirit  of  resistance  animated  every  breast.  Actuated 
by'such  feelings,  they  were  fully  prepared  to  "  pledge  their  lives,  their  for- 
tunes, and  their  most  sacred  honor,"  to  the  adoption  and  maintenance  of  the 
most  independent  measures. 

The  Mecklenburg  Resolves,  of  May  20th,  1775,  have  been  several  times 
published.  They  breathe  throughout  the  high-toned  and  patriotic  sentiments 
of  freemen,  and  will  compare  favorably  with  the  compositions  of  any  period  of 
our  history,  and  were  far  in  advance  of  the  spirit  of  the  day. 


GASTON  COUNTY.  153 

Copies  of  these  Resolves  were  then  drawn  off,  and  given  to  the  charge  of 
Captain  James  Jack,  then  of  Charlotte,  to  present  to  Congress  during  its 
session  in  Phihidelphia.  On  the  return  of  Captain  Jack,  he  reported  "  that 
Congress  individually  manifested  their  entire  approbation  of  the  conduct  of 
the  Mecklenburg  citizens,  but  deemed  it  premature  to  lay  them  officially  be- 
fore the  House." 

In  a  short  time  after  the  meeting  of  the  Convention  in  Charlotte,  intelli- 
gence reached  Mecklenburg  that  a  considerable  number  of  Tories  had  em- 
bodied themselves  in  the  vicinity  of  Cross  Creek,  now  Fayetteville,_  in  hos- 
tility to  the  American  cause.  AVith  commendable  promptitude  a  regiment  of 
infantry  and  cavalry,  commanded  by  Colonel  Thomas  Polk,  was  raised  in  the 
county,  and  marched  in  the  direction  of  Fayetteville.  The  corps  of  cavalry 
was  commanded  by  Captain  Charles  Polk,  a  brother  of  the  Colonel.  In  this 
corps,  Hunter  entered  as  a  private  soldier.  The  campaign,  however,  was 
of  short  duration.  The  Tories  were  dispersed  before  the  arrival  of  the  regi- 
ment, and  it  immediately  returned. 

Soon  after  this  expedition,  he  commenced  his  classical  education  at  "Clio's 
Nursery,"  in  the  western  part  of  Kowan  County  (now  Iredell),  under  the 
instruction  of  the  Rev.  James  Hall.  Here  he  remained  for  a  short  time,  dili- 
gently prosecuting  his  studies. 

But  an  emergency  soon  arose  in  which  his  services  were  again  required. 
The  Cherokee  Indians  were  committing  numerous  murders  and  depredations 
on  the  inhabitants  near  thesources  of  the  Catawba.  Upon  this  information. 
General  Rutherford  promptly  called  out  a  brigade  from  the  counties  of  Guil- 
ford, Rowan,  Mecklenburg,  &c.,  composed  of  infantry  and  three  corps  of  caval- 
ry. One  of  these  was  commanded  by  Captain,  afterwards  Colonel  Robert 
Mebane,*  in  which  he  acted  as  lieutenant.  The  campaign  proved  successful. 
Two  skirmishes  took  place,  in  which  several  Indians  were  killed,  and  a  consi- 
derable number  made  prisoners,  including  Hicks  and  Scott,  two  white  traders 
who  had  formed  family  connections  with  the  Indians,  and  espoused  their  cause. 

After  his  return  from  the  Cherokee  nation,  he  resumed  his  classical  educa- 
tion at  Queen's  Museum,  in  Charlotte,  under  the  control  of  Dr.  McWhorter, 
from  New  Jersey.  In  the  summer  of  1780,  this  institution,  having  assumed 
in  the  meantime  the  more  patriotic  name  of  "Liberty  Hall  Academy,"  was 
broken  up  by  the  approach  of  the  British  army  under  Lord  Cornwallis,  after 
the  surrender  of  Charleston,  and  massacre  of  Buford's  regiment  at  the  Wax- 
haws.  The  school  was  dismissed;  the  minors  were  commended  by  Dr. 
McWhorter  to  the  care  of  their  parents  and  guardians ;  the  young  men  were 
urged  to  take  up  arms  in  defence  of  their  country,  and  for  all  he  invoked  the 
blessings  of  Heaven.  At  this  time  General  Gates  was  on  his  way  to  the 
Southern  States.  Orders  having  been  issued  by  General  Rutherford  to  the 
battalions  of  the  western  counties,  a  brigade  was  promptly  raised  to  rendez- 
vous at  Salisbury.  In  this  brigade  Hunter  acted  for  a  short  time  as  Com- 
missary, and  afterwards  as  Lieutenant  in  the  company  of  Captain  Givens. 
Deeply  impressed  at  all  times  with  the  justice  of  the  vVmerican  cause,  his  ser- 
vices were  freely  offered  to  assist  in  meeting  and  averting  impending  dangers. 
He  again  laid  aside  for  a  time  his  battle  with  books  to  join  in  the  battle  with  men. 
This  force  first  marched  from  Salisbury  down  the  north-east  side  of  the  Yad- 
kin, scouring  the  Tory  settlements  of  the  Uwharryand  Deep  Rivers,  previous 
to  the  junction  with  General  Gates,  at  Cheraw.  From  this  place  General  Gates 
moved  forward  with  as  much  expedition  as  possible  to  Claremont,  where  he 
arrived  on  the  I2th  of  August.  On  the  15th  he  marched  towards  Camden, 
progressing  as  far  as  the  Gum  Swamp,  where  sharp  skirmishing  took  place  in 
the  night,  between  advanced  parties  of  the  Americans  and  British. 

On  the  IGth  of  August,  1780,  the  unfortunate  battle  of  Camden  was  fought. 
A  contagious  panic  seized  most  of  the  militia  early  in  the  action,  and  a  pre- 
cipitate °and  disgraceful   retreat  was   the   consequence.     The   regulars   of 

*  We  regret  that  more  is  not  preserved  of  this  brave  man.  He  was  a  native  of  Orange, 
brother  of  Hon.  Alexander  Mebane,  and  was  disliniruishcd  for  his  bravery  and  services. 
He  was  engaged  in  several  aliairs,  de>perate  and  sanguinary,  and  was  always  ready  and 
active  in  the  cause  of  Lilx'rly.  He  finally  fell  in  an  unguarded  moment  by  the  hand  ol  a 
Tory,  whom  he  had  taken  prisoner. 


154  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

ISIaryland  and  Delaware,  with  a  small  portion  of  the  North  Carolina  militia, 
firmly  stood  their  ground  until  surrounded  by  overwhelming  numbers.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  there  made  prisoner,  and  stripped  of  most  of  his 
clothes.  Soon  after  his  surrender  as  a  prisoner  of  war,  he  witnessed  the 
painful  incidents  of  battle  resulting  in  the  death  of  Barox  De  Kale.  lie 
informs  us  he  saw  the  Baron  without  suite  or  aid,  and  without  manifesting 
the  design  of  his  movements,  galloping  down  the  line.  He  was  soon  descried 
by  the  enemy,  who,  clapping  their  hands  on  their  shoulders,  in  reference  to 
his  epaulettes,  exclaimed  "a  General,  a  rebel  General!" ^  Immediately,  a  man 
on  horseback  (not  Tarleton)  met  him,  and  demanded  his  sword.  The  Baron 
reluctantly  presented  the  handle  towards  him,  saying  in  French,  Etes  voiis 
an  offider.  Monsieur?  ("Are  you  an  officer.  Sir?")  His  antagonist^  not  un- 
derstanding the  language,  with  an  oath,  more  sternly  demanded  his  sword. 
The  Baron  then,  not  understanding  him  perfectly,  with  all  possible  speed  rode 
on,  disdaining  to  surrender  to  any  but  to  an  ofiicer. 

The  cry,  "  a  rebel  General,"  sounded  along  the  line.  The  musketeers  imme- 
diately, by  platoons,  fired  upon  him.  He  proceeded  about  twenty-five  rods 
when  he  fell  from  his  horse,  mortally  wounded.  Soon  afterwards  he  was 
raised  to  his  feet,  and  stripped  of  his  hat,  coat,  and  neckcloth,  and  placed 
with  his  hands  resting  on  a  wagon.  His  body  was  found,  upon  examination,  to 
have  been  pierced  with  seven  musket  balls.  Whilst  standing  in  this  posi- 
tion, and  the  blood  streaming  through  his  shirt,  Cornwallis,  with  his  suite, 
rode  up.  Being  informed  that  the  wounded  man  was  De  Kalb,  he  addressed 
him  by  saying,  "I  am  sorry,  Sir,  to  see  you;  not  sorry  that  you  are  vanquish- 
ed, but  sorry  to  see  you  so  badly  wounded."  Having  given  orders  to  an 
ofiicer  to  administer  to  the  wants  of  the  Baron,  the  British  General  rode  on 
to  secure  the  results  of  his  victory.  In  a  short  time  the  brave  and  generous 
De  Kalb,  who  had  served  in  the  armies  of  France,  and  embarked  in  the  Ame- 
rican cause,  breathed  his  last.  He  lies  buried  in  Camden,  S.  C,  where  a 
monument  is  erected  over  his  remains. 

After  being  confined  seven  days  in  a  prison-yard  in  Camden,  Hunter  was 
taken,  with  many  other  prisoners,  including  about  fifty  ofiicers,  to  Orange- 
burg, S.  C,  there  to  remain  until  exchanged,  where  he  continued  uuul  the 
loth  of  November  following,  without  hat  or  coat.     On  that  day,  without  any 
design  of  transgressing,  he  set  out  to  visit  a  friendly  lady  in  the  suburbs,  who 
had  promised  to  give  him  a  homespun  coat.     On  his  way  he  was  stopped  by 
a  horseman,  armed  with  sword  and  pistols,  who  styled  himself  a  Lieutenant 
of  the  station  at  the  court  house,  under  Colonel  Fisher.     The  horseman  blus- 
tered and  threatened,  and  sternly  commanded  him  to  march  before  him  to  the 
station,  to  be  confined  and  tried  for  having  broken  his  parole.     No  excuse, 
apology,  or  confession  would  be  received  in  extenuation  of  his  ofi"ence.     "  To 
the  station,"  said  he,  "  you  shall  go — take  the  road."     He  was  a  Tory  loyalist, 
and  was  treating,  in  hard  terms,  a  real  Whig.     Up  the  road  he  had  to  go, 
sour  and  sulky,  with  much  reluctance.     He  was  frequently  hurried  in  his 
march  by  the  point  of  the  Tory's  sword.     Hunter  pursued  his  course,  but 
constantly  on  the  look-out  for  some  means  of  self  defence.     Fortunately  for 
the  oppressed,  when  a  forlorn  condition  seems  to  surround  them,  unexpected 
means  of  succor  are  frequently  thrown  providentially  in  their  way.     In  a 
short  time  they  approached  a  large  fallen  j^ine  tree,  around  which  lay  a 
quantity  of  pine-knots,  hardened  and  Idackened  by  the  recent  action  of  tire. 
Hunter,  in  an  instant,  jumped  to  the  further  side  of  said  tree,  as  to  "  a  city  of 
refuge,"  and,  armed  with  a  good  pine-knot,  prepared  for  combat.     The  Tory 
instantly  fired  one  of  his  pistols  at  him,  but  without  efi"ect.    The  Tory  then  leap- 
ed his  horse  over  the  tree.     Hunter,  with  equal  promptness,  exchanged  sides. 
Much  skillful  manceuvering  took  place,  whilst  the  Tory  was  thus  kept  at 
bay.     The  Tory  then  discharged  his  other  pistol,  but  again  without  etfect. 
Hunter  then  commenced  a  vigorous  warfare  with  the  pine-knots,  so  oppor- 
tunely placed  at  his  command,  and  dealt  them  out  with  profuse  liberality. 
The  precisive  aim  with  the  pine-knots,  soon  brought  the  horseman  to  the 
o-round.     He  was  then  disarmed  of  his  sword,  and  capitulated  in  the  follow- 
ing terms:  Hunter  agreed  never  to  publish  the  conquest  he  had  gained,  and 
to  '^ive  up  the  sword  he  had  taken  from  him.     The  Tory  agreed  never  to 


GASTON  COUNTY.  155 

make  it  known  that  any  of  the  prisoners  had  ever  crossed  the  boundary  line, 
or  ever  offended  in  any  other  manner. 

But  secrecy  could  not  be  preserved,  for  during  the  affray  the  horse  with- 
out his  rider  galloped  off  to  the  station,  and  created,  of  course,  considerable 
anxiety  respecting  the  rider's  fate.  But  all  serious  apprehensions  were  soon 
removed  as  the  dismounted  horseman  presently  made  his  appearance,  not, 
however,  without  several  visible  bruises,  bearing  striking  proof  of  the  effect- 
ive precision  of  the  pine-knots.  As  usual  on  the  occurrence  of  any  myste- 
rious affair,  a  close  examination  was  instituted,  and  numerous  searching 
questions  propounded.  All  concealment  was  ended.  The  rencontre  took 
place  on  Friday  evening.  On  the  Sabbath  following  orders  were  issued  by 
Col.  Fisher  to  all  of  the  prisoners  to  appear  at  the  court  house  on  Monday, 
by  twelve  o'clock  M.  On  the  evening  of  that  Sabbath,  Hunter,  expecting 
close  confinement,  or  other  harsh  and  vindictive  treatment,  made  his  escape 
with  several  others,  and  commenced  their  way  to  North  Carolina.  They 
concealed  themselves  during  the  day  to  avoid  the  numerous  British  scouts, 
and  traveled  only  in  the  night,  supporting  themselves  on  raio  corn.  On  the 
ninth  night  after  they  set  out  from  Orangeburg  they  crossed  the  Catawba, 
and  arrived  safely  in  Mecklenburg. 

After  remaining  at  his  mother's  residence  only  a  few  days,  he  again  en- 
tered the  public  service,  and  joined  the  cavalry,  acting  as  Lieutenant  under 
Col.  Henry  Lee.  In  a  short  time,  the  battle  at  the  Eutaw  Springs,  the  last 
important  one  in  the  South,  took  place.  In  this  engagement,  where  so  much 
personal  bravery  was  displayed,  he  performed  a  gallant  part,  and  was  slightly 
wounded. 

With  this  campaign  his  military  services  ended.  Among  the  variety  of  in- 
cidents which  occurred  in  this  year,  and  during  this  campaign,  he  was  gratified 
in  revisiting  his  old  prison-bounds,  and  in  witnessing  the  reduction  of  the 
station  at  Orangeburg.  But  greater  still  was  the  gratification  he  derived  in 
again  beholding  the  identical  sword  he  had  taken  from  his  Tory  antagonist. 
lie  then  returned  home,  with  bravery  established,  his  patriotism  unquestioned, 
and  integrity  unsullied. 

Soon  after  his  return  he  resumed  his  classical  studies  under  the  instruction 
of  the  Rev.  Robert  Archibald,  near  Poplar  Tent  Church,  where  he  remained 
fur  a  considerable  length  of  time,  assiduously  engaged.  During  the  summer 
of  1785  he  entered  the  Junior  Class  at  Mount  Zion  College,  in  Winnsbo- 
rough,  S.  C,  and  graduated  in  July,  1787.  In  a  short  time  he  commenced 
the  studj'  of  Theology  under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina, 
and  obtained  license  to  preach  in  Oct.  1789.  The  first  four  or  five  years  of 
his  ministerial  labors  were  performed  in  South  Carolina. 

There  on  31st  Dec.  1789,  he  united  himself  in  marriage  with  Jane,  daughter 
of  Dr.  George  Ross,  of  Laurens  District. 

In  1796  he  removed  to  the  south-eastern  part  of  Lincoln  County  (now 
Gaston),  having  vrsited  this  section  of  country  in  the  preceding  year.  Here 
he  purchased  a  home  for  his  rising  family,  and  here  he  ended  his  days. 
Shortly  after  his  arrival  he  received  calls  from  the  churches  of  Goshen  and 
Unity  to  become  their  pastor.  To  the  people  of  these  two  charges  he  de- 
voted about  eight  years  of  continuous  ministerial  labors.  In  1805  he  ac- 
cepted a  call  from  Steele  Creek  Church,  in  Mecklenburg  County.  To  this 
charge  he  devoted  the  greater  portion  of  his  unremitting  labors  for  twenty- 
three  years,  and  was  rejoiced  to  see,  during  this  protracted  period,  a  large 
accession  of  new  members  to  the  church,  as  seals  to  his  ministry.  The  remain- 
ing portion  of  his  ministerial  services  were  principally  given  to  Goshen,  in 
connection  with  Steele  Creek,  until  the  time  of  his  death. 

Being  connected  by  marriage  with  the  family  of  Dr.  George  Ross,  a  wor- 
thy and  distinguished  physician  of  Laurens  District,  S.  C,  he  availed  him- 
self of  the  favorable  opportunity  thus  afforded  of  acquiring  a  practical 
knowledge  of  medicine,  sufficiently  extensive  for  family  purposes.  He  was 
induced  to  make  this  acquisition,  not  only  to  gratify  a  peculiar  propensity, 
but  more  particularly  on  the  account  of  the  scarcity  of  good  physicians  at 
that  early  period.  At  the  time  of  his  removal  to  Lincoln  County  there  were 
but  few  physicians  ;  these  were  widely  separated.     Ilis  medical  knowledge, 


156  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

■which  he  continued  to  improve  by  occasional  reading,  soon  became  known, 
and  he  was  frequently  called  upon  by  his  neighbors  to  administer  to  their 
wants.  His  excellent  judgment,  so  important  to  the  physician  in  the  dis- 
crimination and  treatment  of  diseases,  and  his  remarkable  success,  soon  gave 
him  extensive  practice,  and  threatened,  for  a  time,  to  interfere  with  his  minis- 
terial duties.  But  this  successful  practice  was  never  the  source  of  any  great 
pecuniary  profit;  his  charges  in  all  cases  being  moderate,  and  frequently 

gratuitous.  .  t     r.         ^  i. 

In  his  preaching  Mr.  Hunter  was  earnest,  unassuming,  and  oiten  eloquent. 
Possessing  naturally  a  strong  mind,  with  powers  of  originality,  and  aided 
bv  the  advantages  of  a  good  education,  he  was  useful  in  the  high  mission  to 
which  he  was  called,  and  to  it  he  devoted  his  best  talents  and  acquirements. 
He  possessed,  in  a  remarkable  degree,  a  talent  for  refined  sarcasm,  and  knew 
how  to  use  most  effectively  its  piercing  shafts  against  the  idle  objections,  or 
disingenuous  cavils  of  alftriflers  with  the  great  truths  of  religion.  But  his 
benevolent  feelings  forbade  its  use  in  private  intercourse.  The  great  sim- 
plicity of  his  manners  and  freedom  from  afi"ectation  readily  gained  the  con- 
fidence and  friendship  of  all  who  knew  him.  And  if  the  faithful  discharge 
of  ministerial  duty  might  cause  the  evil  to  fear  him,  yet  to  the  good  he  was 
doubly  esteemed.  In  his  advanced  years  the  infirmities  of  age  greatly  con- 
tracted his  useful  labors,  without  impairing  the  vigor  of  his  mental  powers, 
or  fervency  and  faithfulness  of  his  preaching.  But  a  sudden  illness,  on  a  Sa]> 
bath  evening,  after  preaching  one  of  his  most  animated,  forcible,  and  inte- 
resting sermons  to  the  people  of  Steele  Creek,  rapidly  prostrated  his  already 
enfeebled  constitution,  and  admonished  him  that  his  earthly  pilgrimage  was 
soon  to  terminate.  He  met  his  approaching  end  with  unshaken  firmness  and 
Christian  resignation,  and  peacefully  breathed  his  last,  Aug.  21st,  1827,  in 

the  73d  year  of  his  age.  ,    •,    ,     ^  „      • 

On  his  head-stone  in  Steele  Creek  grave-yard,  is  recorded  the  iollowmg 
appropriate  inscription : — 

SACRED 

to  the  Memory  of  the 

Reverend  Humphrey  Hcxter, 

who  departed  this  life  August  21st, 

1827,  in  the  73d  year  of  his  age. 

He  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  ^ 

»  emigrated  to  America  at  an  early 

period  of  his  life.     He  was  one  of  those 

who  early  promoted  the  cause  of 

freedom  in  Mecklenburg  County, 

May  20th,  1775,  and  subsequently 

bore  an  active  part  in  securing 

the  independence  of  his  country. 

For  nearly  thirty-eight  years  he  labored 

as  a  faithful  and  assiduous 

ambassador  of  Christ,  strenuously 

enforcing  the  necessity  of  repentance, 

and  pointing  out  the  terms  of  salvation. 

As  a  parent  he  was  kind  and  affectionate  ; 

as  a  friend  warm  and  sincere  ;  and  as  a 

minister,  persuasive  and  convincing. 

Mr.  H.  had  ten  children,  of  which  number,  at  the  present  time,  only  three 
are  alive  :  Mrs.  Nancy  Bynum,  widow  of  the  late  Col.  J.  W.  Bynum,  of  Chat- 
ham County :  Col.  George  R.  Hunter,  of  Fairfield  District,  S.  C,  and  Dr.  C.  L, 
Hunter,  of  Lincoln  County. 

Major  William  Chroxicle,  the  brave  soldier  and  martyr  to  the  cause  of 
liberty,  whose  name  is  here  introduced,  was  raised  about  two  miles  north-east 
of  Armstrong's  Ford,  on  the  South  Fork.  His  mother  was  first  married  to  a 
Mr.  McKee,  in  Pennsylvania,  who  afterwards  removed  to  North  Carolina,  and 
settled  in  Mecklenburg  County.     By  this  marriage   she  had  one  son,  the 


GASTON  COUNTY.  157 

late  James  McKee,  a  soldier  of  the  Eevolntion,  and  ancestor  of  the  several 
families  of  that  name  still  residing  in  the  neighborhood  of  Armstrong's 
Ford.  After  McKee's  death,  his  widow  married  Mr.  Chronicle,  by  whom 
she  had  an  only  son,  the  noble-hearted  and  gallant  soldier  of  King's 
Mountain.  The  site  of  the  old  family  mansion  is  still  pointed  out  by  the 
older  inhabitants,  to  the  inquiring  stranger  with  feelings  of  veneration. 
"  There,  they  will  tell  you,  is  the  spot  where  old  Mr.  Chronicle  lived,  and 
there  his  brave  son,  William,  was  brought  up."  At  this  hallowed  spot  he 
was  nurtured  in  the  principles  of  liberty.  So  abiding  is  the  veneration  still 
clinging  around  the  memory  of  the  illustrious  dead,  that  revolutionary  infor- 
mation is  always  imparted  by  the  veteran  soldier  with  emotions  of  delight  and 
soul-stirring  eloquence.  The  universal  testimony  of  all  who  knew  Major 
Chronicle  is,  that  he  was  the  constant,  the  never-tiring  advocate  of  liberty, 
and  exerted  a  powerful  influence  in  spreading  the  principles  of  freedom  through- 
out the  whole  lower  portion  of  old  Tryon  County.*  AVherever  he  went  he 
encouraged  the  young  men  of  the  surrounding  country  to  arm  for  the  approach- 
ing contest,  and  support  the  cause  of  freedom,  llis  jovial  turn  of  mind, 
and  winning  manners,  by  gaining  the  good-will  of  all,  greatly  assisted  in 
making  successful  his  appeals  to  their  patriotism,  and  promoting  the  cause 
of  liberty  in  which  he  had  so  zealously  embarked. 

Major  Chronicle's  first  services  were  performed  in  South  Carolina,  in  1779, 
soon  after  the  capture  of  Savannah.  It  was  principally  in  discharge  of  the 
arduous  duties  connected  with  this  service  of  nine  months,  that  young  Chro- 
nicle acquired  his  military  training,  for  making,  at  a  later  period  of  his 
life,  a  brave  and  meritorious  officer.  In  this  service  he  furnished  two  or 
three  wagons  with  the  necessary  teams,  thus  displaying  a  remarkable 
promptitude  in  time  of  need,  and  a  willingness  to  spend  and  be  spent  in  a  just 
cause  when  darkness  and  danger  hung  over  our  cause  in  consequence  of  pre- 
vious misfortunes.  Early  in  the  fall  of  1780,  it  became  necessary  to  call  out 
a  regiment  from  Lincoln  (then  Tryon),  to  assist  in  repelling  the  enemy  march- 
ing fi-om  the  south  flushed  with  victory.  Over  this  regiment  William  Gra- 
ham was  appointed  Colonel;  Frederick  Ilambrite,  Lieutenant-Colonel;  and 
William  Chronicle,  Major.  Major  Chronicle  possessed  the  proper  qualifica- 
tions for  a  good  ofiicer.  He  was  brave,  perhaps  to  a  fault,  energetic  in  his 
movements,  self-possessed  in  danger,  deeply  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  liber- 
ty, and  possessed  withal  of  agreeable  manners,  and  cheerful  countenance. 
It  is  well  known  that  Colonel  Graham,  on  account  of  sickness  in  his  family, 
was  not  present  at  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain.  The  command,  of  course, 
then  devolved  upon  Lieutenant-Colonel  Ilambrite  and  Major  Chronicle.  The 
latter,  on  account  of  his  commanding  abilities  and  his  own  ardent  feelings, 
took  an  active  and  prominent  part  in  leading  his  men  to  danger  and  glory. 
This  he  efi'ected  mainly  by  appealing  to  their  patriotism  and  bravery,  llis 
last  words  of  encouragement,  heard  by  nearly  the  whole  regiment,  were, 
'■'Come  on,  my  boys,  never  let  it  he  said  a  Fork  hoy  run,"  alluding  to  the  South 
Fork,  near  which  most  of  them  resided.  This  patriotic  appeal  was  not  given  in 
vain.  It  nerved  every  man  for  the  contest.  Onward  his  "  brave  boys"  steadily 
marched.  Major  Chronicle  in  the  advance,  and  approached  within  gunshot 
of  the  enemy.  Just  at  this  time,  a  few  select  sharpshooters  from  the  Tories 
discharged  their  pieces  and  retreated.  The  brave  Chronicle  fell  mortally 
wounded,  receiving  a  fatal  ball  in  the  breast.  Almost  at  the  same  time, 
Captain  Mattocks,  John  Boyd,  and  William  Rabb,  all  "  Fork  boys,"  also  fell. 
But  heavy  and  mournful  as  this  loss  was  to  the  regiment,  other  brave  men 
soon  took  their  places.  The  noble  cause  in  which  they  were  engaged  admitted 
of  no  faltering  in  duty,  but  urged  them  on  to  the  performance  of  deeds  of 
heroic  valor,  which  terminated  in  glorious  victory.  Such  should  ever  be  the 
conduct  and  the  feelings  of  patriots  fighting  in  defence  of  the  rights  of  man  ! 

The  loss  to  our  arms  of  Major  Chronicle  was  the  more  to  be  regretted,  as 
he  fell  in  the  very  prime  of  life,  being  only  about  twenty-five  years  old.  At 
the  time  of  his  death  his  father  was  still  alive,  but  unfortunately  was  drowned 

*  Since  divided  into  Lincoln,  Gaston,  Catawba,  Cleaveland  and  Rutherford. 


158  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

a  few  years  afterward?,  in  the  Catawba  River,  at  the  Tuckasege  Ford.  The 
late  Abram  Forney,  who  fought  bravely  in  this  battle,  frequently  said  the  last 
portion  of  food  Major  Chronicle  received,  was  partaken  with  him  on  the  morn- 
ing of  that  memorable  day.  lie  had  just  finished  cooking  a  savonj  cow-bag, 
which  had  fallen  to  his  share,  when  Major  Chronicle  came  up,  and  in  his 
usual  vein  of  good  humor,  remarked,  "icell,  Abram,  you  always  have  some- 
thing good  to  eat,  I  believe  I  must  join  you,"  and  accordingly  participated  of 
his  homely  mess.  The  late  Captain  Samuel  Caldwell,  father  of  Hon.  Green 
W.  Caldwell,  of  Charlotte,  and  his  brother  William,  were  both  in  this  battle. 
William  Caldwell  brought  home  Major  Chronicle's  horse  ;  but  he  was  so 
greatly  affected  that  he  turned  him  into  the  stable  without  informing  the 
family  of  his  death.  He  was  near  the  gallant  Major  when  he  fell,  and  che- 
rished for  him,  in  common  with  the  whole  regiment,  the  attachment  of  a 
brother.  Major  Chronicle's  sword  and  spurs  passed  into  the  hands  of  his  half- 
brother,  the  late  James  McKee ;  the  venerated  memorials  are  still  in  pos- 
session of  one  of  his  sons,  who  removed,  some  years  since,  to  Tennessee. 

John-  Mattocks. — It  may  be  interesting  to  the  reader  to  know  something 
more  of  Captain  Mattocks,  who  fell  at  the  same  time  with  Major  Chronicle. 
The  Mattocks  family  resided  a  few  miles  below  Armstrong's  Ford,  at  the 
"  Alison  old  place."  There  were  three  brothers,  John,  Charles,  and  Edward, 
and  two  daughters,  Sally  and  Barbara.  The  whole  family,  men  and  women, 
had  the  reputation  of  being  uncommonly  stout.  Of  Charles  Mattocks,  in  par- 
ticular, it  was  said  he  had  no  equal  in  point  of  strength  ;  but,  being  of  a 
peaceable  disposition,  he  was  never  known  to  have  but  one  fight.  On  that 
occasion,  being  insulted,  he  went  coolly  to  work,  without  indulging  in  wicked 
oaths,  and  dealt  out  one  blow  against  the  taunting  bully  which  prostrated  him 
to  the  ground.  His  antagonist,  after  a  time,  arose  from  his  recumbent  posi- 
tion perfectly  satisfied  of  the  superior  manhood  of  Charles  Mattocks. 

John  and  Charles  were  staunch  Whigs  ;  but  Edward,  commonly  called  "  Ned 
Mattocks,"  was  a  Tory.  All  of  the  brothers  were  at  the  battle  of  King's  Moun- 
tain. John  Mattocks,  the  Captain,  was  killed.  Ned  Mattocks  was  badly 
wounded  on  the  back  of  his  neck.  After  the  battle,  Charles  Mattocks  fearing 
his  brother  might  be  hung  with  some  others  who  suffered  this  penalty,  kindly 
interfered  in  his  behalf  took  him  home,  and  nursed  him  until  he  recovered  of 
his  wounds.  It  is  said  that  this  strong  dose  so  effectually  administered,  com- 
pletely cured  him  of  Toryism.  The  whole  surviving  family,  some  years  after  the 
war,  moved  to  Georgia.  Major  Chronicle,  Captain  Mattocks,  William  Rabb,  a 
cousin  of  Major  Chronicle,  and  John  Boyd,  who  fell  almost  at  the  same  time, 
are  buried  in  a  common  grave,  near  the  foot  of  the  Mountain.  A  plain  head- 
stone commemorates  the  hallowed  spot  with  the  following  inscription  : — 

Sacred  to  the  Memory  of 

Majok  William  Chronicle, 

Captain  John  Mattocks, 

William  Rabb,  and 

John  Boyd, 

Who  were  killed  here  fighting  in  defence  of  America, 

On  the  tth  Oct.,  1780. 

For  a  full  detail  of  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  with  the  ofiicial  report 
of  the  same,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  chapter  on  Cleaveland  County. 

Gen.  -John  Moore  was  a  revolutionary  officer  of  much  merit.  He  was  born 
about  1759,  of  Irish  descent.  He  early  engaged  in  the  cause  of  liberty,  and 
was  in  several  battles  of  the  Revolution.  He  acted  as  Commissary  to  the 
Army. 

He  married  a  sister  of  Governor  John  Adair,  of  Kentucky,  by  whom  he  had 
many  children.  After  her  death,  he  married  Mary,  the  daughter  of  Robert 
Alexander,  by  whom  he  had  two  children.  He  was  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Commons  as  early  as  1788,  from  Lincoln,  and  served  for  many  years.  He 
died  in  1836,  and  was  buried  at  Goshen,  where  a  plain  tombstone  marks  the 


GATES  COUNTY.  159 

last  resting-place  of  this  faithful  patriot.  His  descendants  still  live  among 
us,  whose  patriotism  may  be  enlivened  by  his  heroic  and  useful  career. 

His  sister  Mary  married  William  Rankin,  who  did  a  soldier's  dutyin 
days  of  trial.  William  Rankin  Avas  in  the  Revolutionary  War  as  a  soldier 
at  Camden,  in  1780,  and  at  the  Eutaw  Springs,  the  hardest  fought  battle  of 
the  Revolution. 

lie  is  still  living  in  this  county,  and  is  the  father  of  Colonel  Richard  Ran- 
kin, one  of  the  members  from  this  county  in  the  House  of  Commons  in  the 
last  Legislature,  and  of  many  others. 

For  members  of  Assembly  from  Gaston,  see  Lincoln  County. 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 


GATES  COUNTY. 


Gates  Couxty  was  formed,  in  1779,  from  Hertford,  Chowan  and 
Perquimans  Counties.  It  derives  its  name  from  General  Horatio 
Gates,  who  at  this  time  was  in  the  zenith  of  his  popuLarity,  having 
acquired  a  brilliant  victory  in  1777  at  Saratoga,  over  General  Bur- 
goyne  and  the  English  army,  but  whose  laurels  were  destined  to 
fade  on  the  unfortunate  field  of  Camden. 

General  Gates  was  a  native  of  England.  He  was  early  trained  to  arms. 
He  came  to  America  as  an  officer,  and  served  with  Washington  under  Gen. 
Braddock  in  the  ill-fated  campaign  against  FortDuQuesne  in  1755.  On  the 
breaking  out  of  the  Revolution  in  1776,  from  his  attachment  to  his  adopted 
country,  and  high  military  reputation,  he  was  by  the_Continental  Congress 
appointed  Adjutant-General  of  the  army,  and  in  1777  succeeded  General 
Schuyler  in  the  command  of  the  northern  army,  to  which,  after  two  sangui- 
nary battles,  General  Burgoyne  surrendered  with  his  whole  force  as  prisoners 
of  war  at  Saratoga  on  7th  October,  1777.  For  this  brilliant  service  General 
Gates  received  a  gold  medal  and  the  thanks  of  Congress. 

In  June,  1780,  General  Gates  was  invested  with  the  chief  command  of  the 
southern  army.  At  Camden,  15th  August,  1780,  he  was  defeated  with  great 
slaugliter  by  Lord  Cornwallis.  He  retreated  to  Hillsboro',  and  Congress  ap- 
pointed General  Greene  to  succeed  him.  He  was  tried  by  order  of  Congress 
for  his  conduct  at  Camden  by  a  special  court,  and  was  acquitted.  "His 
northern  laurels  were  exchanged  for  southern  willows."  In  1782  he  was  re- 
stored to  his  command,  but  the  war  was  over,  and  Gates  retired  to  his  farm 
in  Virginia.  Afterwards  he  removed  to  New  York,  where  he  died  10th  April, 
180G,  without  issue. 

From  this  man,  who  held  the  chief  command  in  two  campaigns  in  our 
Revolution,  the  one  the  most  brilliant  and  the  other  the  most  disastrous  to 
American  liberty,  does  this  County  derive  its  name. 

It  is  situated  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Virginia  line,  east  by  Pasquotank, 
south  by  Perquimans  and  Chowan,  and  west  by  Hertford  County. 

Its  capital  is  Gatcsville,  and  is  distant  from  Raleigh  one  hundred 
and  sixty-seven  miles. 

Its  population  is  4158  whites  ;  3871  slaves  ;  301  free  negroes  ;  G877  repre- 
sentative population. 


160 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Products,  192,815  bushels  of  corn, 
10,329        "  oats, 

2951         "  -wheat, 

1270         "  rye, 

86,591  lbs.  cotton. 


3905  lbs.  wool, 
841  barrels  fish, 
6G3         "     turpentine, 
19,143  dollars  annual  value  of 
lumber  sold. 


General  Kedar  Ballard  was  a  native  and  representative  of  this  County. 
He  served  as  an  officer  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  and  died  16th  .January, 
1834. 

General  -JosEpn  Reddick,  of  this  County,  was  for  twenty-eight  years  her 
Senator,  and  for  many  years  Speaker  of  the  Senate.  Numerous  descendants 
in  this  County  still  preserve  the  names  of  Ballard  and  Reddick. 

List  of  members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Gates  County, 
from  its  erection,  to  tlie  last  Session,  1850-51. 


Years.  Senators. 

1780.  James  Gregory, 

1781.  James  Gregory, 

1782.  William  Baker, 

1783.  Jacob  Hunter, 

1784.  William  Baker, 

1785.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1786.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1787.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1788.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1789.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1790.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1791.  Joseph  Reddick. 

1792.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1793.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1794.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1795.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1796.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1797.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1798.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1799.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1800.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1801.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1802.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1803.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1804.  .Joseph  Reddick, 

1805.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1806.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1807.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1808.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1809.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1810.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1811.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1812.  Kedar  Ballard, 

1813.  Kedar  Ballard, 

1814.  Kedar  Ballard, 

1815.  Joseph  Pieddick, 

1816.  Kedar  Ballard, 

1817.  Joseph  Reddick, 

1818.  John  B.  Baker, 

1819.  Humphrey  Iludgins 

1820.  John  B.  Baker, 

1821.  John  C.  Gordon, 

1822.  John  B.  Baker, 


Members  of  House  of  Commons. 

Jethro  Sumner,  James  Garrett. 
Jethro  Sumner,  Joseph  Reddick. 
Jethro  Sumner,  -Joseph  Reddick. 
Joseph  Reddick,  David  Rice. 
Seth  Reddick,  Joseph  Reddick. 
Seth  Reddick,  David  Rice. 
Seth  Eason,  .Seth  Reddick. 
Wm.  Baker,  .John  Baker. 
Seth  Eason,  David  Rice. 
David  Rice,  Jas.  B.  Sumner. 
David  Rice,  Jas.  B.  Sumner. 
Thomas  Cranberry,  .Jas.  B.  Sumner. 
James  Baker,  Isaac  Miller. 
Henry  Goodman,  Miles  Benton. 
Wm.  Lewis,  Miles  Benton. 
Wm.  Lewis,  Humphrey  Iludgins. 
James  Catling,  -John  J.  AYalton. 
Humphrey  Hudgins,  James  Catling. 
Humphrey  Hudgins,  James  Catling. 
Humphrey  Hudgins,  James  Catling. 
James  Catling,  Humphrey  Hudgins. 
Humphrey  Hudgins,  .James  Catling. 
Humphrey  Hudgins,  Elisha  Hunter. 
Humphrey  Hudgins,  James  Catling. 
Humphrey  Iludgins,  AVillis  Hoodley. 
Humphrey  Iludgins,  Jethro  D.  Goodman. 
Humphrey  Hudgins,  J.  D.  Goodman. 
Humphrc}'  Iludgins,  Kedar  Ballard. 
Humphrey  Iludgins,  Kedar  Ballard. 
llumphre}^  Iludgins,  Kedar  Ballard. 
Humphrey  Iludgins,  Kedar  Ballai'd. 
John  B.  Baker,  Humphrey  Iludgins. 
Robert  Reddick,  Humphrey  Hudgins. 
Robert  Reddick,  Richard  Barnes. 
Robert  Reddick,  Richard  Barnes. 
Robert  Reddick,  Humphrey  Iludgins. 
Humphrey  Hudgins,  Joseph  Gordon. 
Humphrey  Iludgins,  Isaac  R.  Hunter. 
Isaac  R.  Hunter,  John  Mitchell. 
,  David  E.  Sumner,  Abraham  Harrell. 
AVm.  W.  Reddick,  AVilliam  Barnes. 
Wm.  W.  Reddick,  A.  Harrell. 
John  Walton,  A.  Harrell. 


GRANVILLE  COUNTY. 


161 


Years.  Senators. 

1823.  Abraham  Harrell, 

1824.  Abraham  Harrell, 

1825.  Abraham  Harrell, 
182G.  Edward  R.  Hunter, 

1827.  Abraham  Harrell, 

1828.  Abraham  Harrell, 

1829.  AVm.  W.  Cowper, 

1830.  Wra.  W.  Cowper, 

1831.  Wm.  W.  Cowper, 

1832.  Wm.  W.  Cowper, 

1833.  John  Walton, 

1834.  Wm.  W.  Cowper, 

1835.  Wm.  W.  Cowper, 

1836.  Wm.  W.  Cowper, 
1838.  Rufus  K.  Speed, 
1840.  Rufns  K.  Speed, 
1842.  Whitmell  Stallings, 
1844.  Whitmell  Stallings, 
1846.  Whitmell  Stallings, 
1848.  Henry  Wiley, 
1850.  Henry  Wiley, 


Members  of  House  of  Commons. 
Wm.  W.  Stedman,  J.  Walton. 
John  Walton,  W.  W.  Stedman. 
John  Walton,  Wm,  W.  Stedman, 
•John  Walton,  Wm.  W.  Stedman. 
Wm.  W.  Stedman,  Lemuel  Reddick. 
Wm.  W.  Stedman,  Lemuel  Reddick. 
Wm.  W.  Stedman,  Riseup  Rawls. 
Wm.  W.  Stedman,  John  Willey. 
Whitmell  Stallings,  Lemuel  Reddick. 
Whitmell  Stallings,  John  Willey. 
Lemuel  Reddick,  John  Willey. 
Lemuel  Reddick,  John  Willey. 
Whitmell  Stallings,  Lemuel  Reddick. 
Whitmell  Stallings.  *=.  ;  . 

Whitmell  Stallings. 
Whitmell  Stallings. 
John  Willey. 
Reddick  Gatlin. 
Reddick  Gatlin. 
Dr.  Ballard. 
Miles  II.  Eure. 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 


GRANVILLE  COUNTY. 


Date  of  its  formation — Origin  of  its  name,  situation  and  boundaries — Popu- 
lation and  products — Its  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  History — Sketches  of 
its  distinguished  men,  General  Thomas  Person,  John  Williams,  Leonard 
Henderson,  Robert  Potter,  Abraham  AVatkins  Tenable,  Robert  B.  Gilliam, 
and  others — List  of  its  members  to  the  General  Assembly. 

Granville  County  was  formed  in  1746,  from  Edgecombe 
County,  and  was  so  called  in  honor  of  the  owner  of  the  soil.* 

The  King  of  England  (Charles  the  II.)  granted  to  Sir  George 
Carteret,  and  seven  other  English  Noblemen,  in  1663,  a  char- 
ter for  this  region,  with  much  more,  and  it  was  called  Carolina 
from  him.  In  1729  these  proprietors  surrendered  to  the  En- 
glish crown  all  their  franchises,  except  John  (son  of  Sir  George 
Carteret,  who  died  in  1696).  He  was  afterwards  created  Earl 
of  Granville.  He  retained  his  eighth  part  of  the  soil.  The 
line  was  run  in  1743.  Lord  Granville's  territory  was  from  35°  34' 
south,  to  the  Virginia  line  on  the  north,  and  from  the  Atlantic 
Ocean,  on  the  east,  to  the  Pacific  Ocean  on  the  west.f  A  most 
princely  domain!  This  imperium  in  imperioX  gave  much  dis- 
quietude even  to  the  Colonial  Government,  and  was  entirely  lost  to 


*  Martin,  ii.  48. 

I  Government  in  a  government. 


t  Martin's  Sketches,  i.  34. 


162  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

the  proprietor  in  the  Revolutionary  struggles  of  our  country ;  and 
for  which  loss  he  Avas  indemnified  by  the  English  Government. 

Its  situation  is  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State ;  and  is  bounded 
on  the  north  by  the  Virginia  line,  east  by  Warren  and  Franklin 
Counties,  south  by  Wake,  and  west  by  Person  and  Orange  Coun- 
ties. 

Its  capital  is  Oxford,  36  miles  north  of  Raleigh. 

Population,  10,290  whites ;  9,865  slaves  ;  1,088  free  negroes ;  17,303  repre- 
sentative population. 

Products,  3,918,822  lbs.  tobacco ;  550,530  bushels  corn ;  140,905  bushels 
oats;  51,938  bushels  wheat :  1,174  bushels  rye ;  14,000  lbs.  wool. 

Granville  early  togk  a  decided  stand  for  liberty. 

Her  delegates  to  the  general  meeting  of  Deputies  at  Newbern,  on  25th 
August,  1774,  were  Thomas  Person',  Memccax  IIlnt. 

Iler  delegates  to  the  next  meeting  at  the  same  place,  on  the  3d  April,  1775, 
were  the  same,  Tvith  .Jonx  Penn,  Egbert  Mum  ford,  and  Robert  Williams. 

Her  delegates  to  Ilillsboro',  21st  August,  1775,  were  Thomas  Persox,  Jonx 
Persox,  Joiix  Williams,  .Joux  Taylor,  and  Mkmucan  IIuxt. 

Her  delegates  to  Halifax,  4th  April,  1770,  that  placed  the  State  in  military 
organization,  were  Thomas  Persox,  Joux  Pexx,  Memlcax  Hunt,  .Joux 
Taylor,  and  Charles  Eatox. 

Her  delegates  to  Halifax,  12th  November,  1770,  that  formed  the  Constitu- 
tion, were  Thomas  Persox,  IIobert  Lewis,  Memucax  Huxt,  Thorxtox  Yax- 
CEY,  and  .John  Oliver. 

Thomas  Person  is  a  name  remarkable  in  our  history  for  his  indomitable 
resistance  to  tyranny  and  his  devoted  love  of  liberty.*  He  was  opposed  to 
the  Stamp  Act,  a  violent  Regulator,  and,  for  his  advocacy  of  the  rights  of  the 
colony,  his  estate  was  ravaged  by  the  emissaries  of  royalty.  He  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  the  first  brigadier-generals  by  the  State  Congress  (April  1770), 
and,  for  his  patriotic  services,  he  was  complimented  by  the  naming  (in  1791) 
a  county  after  him.  His  liberality  towards  the  University,  in  bestowing  a 
munificent  donation,  caused  a  hall  to  be  erected  at  Chapel  Hill,  which  still 
bears  his  name.  He  continued  to  represent  this  county,  as  late  as  1814,  in 
the  Senate.  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  more  of  his  life,  services,  character, 
and  death,  have  not  been  obtained.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  some  future  pen 
may  record  his  services  and  virtues. 

John  Pexn,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  immortal  Declaration  of  Independ- 
ence of  the  4th  July,  1776,  was  from  Granville.  He  was  born  in  Caroline 
County,  Va.,  17th  May,  1741,  The  only  son  of  Moses  Penn,  and  Catharine, 
his  wife,  who  was  a  daughter  of  the  celebrated  John  Taylor,  of  Caroline 
County.  His  education,  by  the  death  of  his  father  when  he  was  only 
eighteen,  was  defective.  He  read  law  with  Edmund  Pendleton,  his  relative. 
He  possessed  genius  and  eloquence  of  a  high  order.  His  effurts  at  the  bar 
were  distinguished  for  their  force  and  pathos.  In  1774,  he  removed  to  Gran- 
ville, and,  on  8th  Sept.,  1775,  succeeded  Richard  Caswell  as  delegate  to  the 
Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  and  took  his  seat  in  that  body  on  12th 
Oct.  following.     He  was  re-elected  in  1777-78,  and  '79. 

Watson,  in  his  Annuls  of  Philadelphia^  states  that  "  a  singular  case 
of  duel  occurred  in  Philadelphia  in  1778  or  '79,  between  Henry  Laurens, 
President  of  Congress,  and  Mr.  Penn.  They  were  fellow-boarders,  and 
Vjreakfasted  together  the  same  morrjing.  They  were  to  fight  on  a  vacant  lot 
vis-d-vi<s  the  Masonic  Hall,  on  Chestnut  Street.  In  crossing  at  Fifth  Street, 
where  was  then  a  deep  slough,  Mr.  Penn  kindly  offered  his  hand  to  aid  Mr. 
Laurens,  then  much  the  oldest,  who  accepted  it.     He  suggested  to  Mr.  Lau- 

*  Jones'  Defence,  136.  t  Vol.  i.  325, 


GRANVILLE  COUNTY.  163 

rens,  who  had  challenged  him,  that  it  was  a  foolish  ajBfair,  and  it  was  made 
up  on  the  spot. 

In  178-1,  he  was  appointed  Receiver  of  Taxes  for  the  State  of  Xorth  Caro- 
lina, bv  Robt.  Morris,  which  he  soon  resigned.  lie  married,  on  28th  July, 
1703,  Susan  Lyme,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  two  of  whom  died  un- 
married.    He  died  Sept.  1788. 

John-  Williams  was  a  native  of  Hanover  County,  Virginia.  In  April, 
1770,  for  some  real  or  imaginary  cause,  while  attending  court  at  Hillsboro', 
he  was  seized  by  the  Reguhitors  and  beaten  by  them.*  He  was  one  of 
the  first  judges  under  the  State  Constitution,  in  1777,  with  Samuel  Spencer 
and  Samuel  Ashe.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  1778. 
His  early  education  was  defective,  as  he  was  raised  to  the  trade  of  a  house- 
carpenter.  But  he  was  eminently  distinguished  for  his  sound  judgment  and 
plain  common  sense.     He  died  in  Oct.,  1799. 

Colonel  Robert  Bl"rtox  was  a  native  of  Mecklenburg  County,  Virginia, 
born  in  1747.  Planter  by  profession.  He  removed  to  Granville  about  1775, 
and  was  appointed  an  officer  in  the  army.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress  in  1787  and  1788.  In  1801,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the 
commissioners  to  run  the  line  between  Xorth  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  and 
Georgia.  He  married  the  only  child  of  Judge  Williams  in  1775.  He  died  in 
1825,  leaving  nine  children  surviving,  among  whom  was  Hon.  Robert  H. 
Burton,  of  Lincoln. 

Leoxard  Hexdersox,  one  of  the  judges  of  the  Superior  and  Supreme  Court, 
was  born  in  Granville  in  1772.  Ilis  education  was  as  good  as  the  country 
aiforded.  His  father  (late  Judge  Richard  Henderson,  whose  life  has  been 
already  presented)!  was  distinguished  for  his  learning,  sagacity,  and  intellect. 
His  life  and  services  were  spent  in  the  highest  duties  of  our  land — the  ad- 
ministration of  the  law — whose  decision  is  the  perfection  of  reason,  "  whose 
voice  is  the  harmony  of  the  world,  and  whose  seat  is  the  bosom  of  God." 
Such  duties  are  among  the  most  elevated  functions  that  can  exercise  the 
mind  of  man.  In  this  the  comprehensive  mind  of  Judge  Henderson  delighted, 
and  no  one  who  knew  him,  or  who  may  read  his  opinions,  will  doubt  for  a 
moment  his  intellectual  greatness.  He  was  more  remarkable  for  his  genius 
than  for  labor.  His  mind,  with  instinctive  rapidity,  seemed  to  arrive  at  a 
sound  conclusion  ;  but  the  modes  and  method  by  which  he  arrived  at  that 
opinion  was  to  him  laborious  to  explain.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  kind- 
ness of  heart  and  generous  sentiments. 

He  was  never  in  the  Legislature.  Public  honor  and  popular  applause 
never  was  an  object  of  his  idolatry.  He  felt  that  the  law  was  a  jealous  mis- 
tress, and  allowed  no  rival  in  his  attentions  or  aflections. 

He  was  first  elected  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  in  1808,  and  resigned 
iu  1816. 

On  the  formation  of  the  present  Supreme  Court  he  was  elected  one  of  the 
Judges,  with  -Judges  Taylor  and  Hall ;  and  on  Judge  Taylor's  death,  in  1829, 
he  was  apptointed  Chief  Justice. 

Full  of  years,  and  full  of  honors,  he  died  at  his  residence  in  Granville  in 
August,  1833,  in  the  Gist  year  of  his  age. 

Judge  Heudersun  married  Frances  Farrer,  and  left  two  sons  and  two 
daughters,  one  of  whom  married  Dr.  Richard  R.  Sneed ;  the  other  Dr.  Wm. 
C.  Tavlor. 

Colonel  William  Robards  was  a  resident  of  Granville,  a  man  distinguish- 
ed for  his  integrity,  business  habits,  and  talents.  He  represented  Granville 
in  180(3  and  1808,  and  in  L^27  was  Treasurer  of  the  State,  at  a  period  of 
unexampled  difficulty  arising  from  the  disorder  occasioned  by  the  defalca- 
tion of  John  Haywood. 

*  See  deposition  of  Ralph  ^leXair  (chapter  "Alamance,"  page  14). 
t  See  vol  i.,  103. 


164  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

lie  conducted  the  financial  affairs  of  the  State  with  great  ability  and 
fidelity. 

He  died  on  the  17th  of  June,  1842. 

Robert  Potter  was  a  resident  and  representative  from  GranviUe  County. 

I  once  thought,  after  I  had  prepared  a  sketch  of  Robert  Potter,  that  I  would 
omit  it,  and  pass  in  silence  the  name  of  one  who  had  been  the  member  of 
this  County  in  the  Assembly,  and  the  Representative  of  this  district  in  Con- 
gress. But  truth  demands  that  not  only  the  good  should  be  noticed,  but 
ithose  who  have  been  notorious  for  other  qualities.  This,  too,  may  have  a 
moral  effect.  It  was  the  custom  of  the  Lacedemonians  to  intoxicate  their 
servants  on  certain  occasions,  before  their  young  children,  that  their  young 
minds,  seeing  vice  in  so  frightful  a  mien,  might  avoid  its  seductions. 

Robert  Potter  was  a  man  of  no  ordinary  powers  of  intellect.  With  an  ad- 
dress which  would  have  graced  the  most  polished  court  in  Europe,  with  powers 
of  eloquence  that  could  command  the  listening  auditors,  and  sway  them  to  his 
will,  and  an  energy  that  shrunk  from  no  obstacle  or  opposition,  had  his  early 
education  been  elevated  by  the  piety  of  the  mother  of  a  Gaston,  his  fierce 
and  ferocious  temper  tamed  by  parental  persuasion,  his  name  might  have 
stood 

"  Higli  on  the  dusty  rolls  which  ages  keep." 

He  was  a  native  of  Granville.  He  entered  the  navy  as  a  midshipman,  and 
after  a  few  years  resigned,  and  studied  law.  lie  entered  into  public  life  as 
a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  Halifax  in  1826.  At  Halifax  his 
turbulent  temper  embroiled  him  in  many  difiiculties.  On  one  occasion  at  an 
election,  in  which  Potter  was  opposed  by  Jesse  A.  Bynum,  a  fracas  occurred 
at  which  one  man  was  killed,  and  the  election  broken  up.  He  removed  to 
Granville,  from  which  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons,  in  1828. 
This  was  an  extraordinary  period.  The  financial  condition  of  North  Caro- 
lina was  deplorable.  The  Banks  had  become  neglectful  of  their  duty,  and 
disregarded  their  charters.  Mr.  Potter  opened  the  session  by  a  resolution  of 
inquiry.  That  inquiry  produced  a  committee,  of  which  he  was  chairman  ; 
the  affairs  of  the  banks  were  investigated ;  much  evil  and  malfeasance  was 
proved.  The  Committee  reported  a  bill  to  prosecute  the  banks.  This  bill, 
after  a  long,  heated,  and  angry  discussion,  passed  by  one  vote ;  but  the 
speaker  (Hon.  Thomas  Settle)  voting  with  the  minority,  defeated  its  becom- 
ing a  law. 

This  gave  Mr.  Potter  great  popularity,  and  the  next  year  he  was  elected  to 
Congress,  in  triumph  over  all  opposition. 

His  course  in  Congress  was  brilliant  and  imposing.  He  was  re-elected 
without  opposition,  but  his  career  was  to  end  soon  in  darkness  and  disgrace. 
On  Sunday,  28th,  August,  1831,  moved  by 

"Jealousy,  that  green-eyed  monster 
That  doth  mock  the  meat  it  leeds  upon," 

lie  committed  a  brutal  maim  on  two  relations  of  his  wife. 

For  these  outrages  he  was  brought  before  the  legal  tribunals  of  the  county 
and  fined  one  thousand  dollars,  and  imprisoned  six  months. 

The  enormity  of  this  before  unheard  of  crime  in  North  Carolina,  caused 
the  General  Assembly  at  the  next  session  to  pass  an  Act  making  it  a  capital 
offence. 

These  violent  acts  caused  his  ruin.  He  was  elected  in  1834  to  the  House 
of  Commons.     But  this  was  an  expiring  effort  of  Potter's  popularity. 

"  So  the  struck  Eagle,  wounded  on  the  plain, 
No  more  through  rolling  clouds  shall  soar  again ; 
Views  his  own  leather  in  the  fatal  dart. 
That  sped  the  shaft  now  quivering  in  his  heart. 
Keen  were  his  pangs — but  keener  far  to  feel — 
lie  nursed  the  pinion  that  impelled  the  sleel ; 
The  self  same  plumage  that  had  warmed  his  nest, 
Now  drinks  the  life  blood  of  his  bleedhig  breast." 


GRANVILLE  COUNTY.  165 

The  troubled  elements  and  revolutionary  scenes  of  Texas  at  this  time,  to 
him,  as  storms  to  Zanga — 

bore  a  just  resemblance  to  his  fortunes, 


And  suited  the  gloomy  aspect  ol'  his  soul.' 

Thither  he  went.  He  was  killed  a  few  years  afterwards  in  a  private  brawl. 
Such  was  the  end  of  a  morning  of  life  so  full  of  glorious  promises,  of  a  me- 
ridian so  bright  with  honor,  an  evening  so  gloomy,  dark,  and  desolate.  If 
he  had  the  genius  and  power  of  Achilles,  an  unbridled  will,  a  despotic  tem- 
per, and  fiei'ce  revenge  were  the  unguarded  points  by  which  he  fell.  The 
Superior  Court,  by  petition  divorced  his  wife,  and  she  assumed  her  former 
name,  thus  forgetting,  if  not  forgiving,  the  cause  of  her  sufferings. 

Abraham  Watkins  Venable,  now  in  Congress  from  this  District,  is  a 
resident  of  this  County.  His  father  was  Colonel  Samuel  Amenable,  of  the 
Revolution,  and  his  mother  a  daughter  of  Hon.  Paul  Carrington,  Judge  of 
the  Court  of  Appeals  of  Virginia.  His  ancestry  of  both  sides  were  of  the 
Revolutionary  stock.  His  father  and  six  uncles  were  in  the  Revolutionary 
army  and  served  faithfully  their  country.  They  were  all  in  the  battle  of 
Guilford  Court  House,  fought  by  General  Greene  and  Lord  Cornwallis  (15th 
March,  1781).  His  uncle  and  namesake,  Abraham  B.  Venable,  was  a  senator 
in  Congress  from  Virginia  in  1803. 

Mr.  Venable  was  born  in  Prince  Edward  County,  Virginia,  17th  October, 
1799.  He  was  educated  at  Hampden  Sidney  College,  where  he  graduated  in 
1816.  He  studied  medicine  for  two  years,  and  then  went  to  Princeton,  where 
he  graduated  in  1819.  He  then  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
1821. 

He  was  elector  in  1832,  and  voted  for  Andrew  Jackson  as  President  in  the 
Electoral  College,  and  for  Martin  Van  Buren  as  Vice-President. 

He  was  again  elector  in  183G,  when  he  voted  for  Martin  Van  Buren  as  Pre- 
sident, and  R.  M.  Johnson  as  Vice-President.  Of  this  College  the  venerable 
IS'athaniel  Macon  was  President,  and  this  was  Mr.  Macon's  last  public  act. 

Mr.  Venable  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress  in  1847  over  John  Kerr, 
Esq.,  re-elected  in  1849  in  the  same  district  by  a  handsome  majority  over 
Henry  K.  Nash,  Esq.,  and  was  again  re-elected  August,  1851,  without 
■  opposition. of  an  open  character. 

Robert  B.  Gilliam  is  also  a  resident  and  native  of  Granville.  He  is 
a  lawyer  by  profession,  and  entered  public  life  in  183G  as  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Commons,  in  which  he  continued  until  1840.  In  1846  he  was  again 
a  member,  and  in  1848,  of  which  sessions  he  was  Speaker  of  the  House. 
Mr.  Gilliam's  course  has  been  marked  by  an  adherence  to  his  views  of  right 
and  a  consistency  of  political  conduct. 

Others  might  be  named  in  connection  with  the  County  of  Granville,  and 
efforts  are  being  used  to  procure  material  which  another  edition  may  bring 
forward. 

List  of  members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Granville  County, 
from  1777  to  the  last  Session,  1850-51. 

Years.  Senators.  Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

1777.  Robert  Harris,  Thomas  Person,  John  Penn. 

1778.  Robert  Harris,  Thornton  Yancey,  Thomas  Person. 

1779.  Robert  Harris,  Thomas  Person,  Philemon  Hawkins. 

1780.  Robert  Harris,  Thomas  Person,  Philemon  Hawkins. 

1781.  Joseph  Taylor,  Thomas  Person,  Richard  Henderson. 

1782.  William  Gill,  Thomas  Person,  Philemon  Hawkins. 

1783.  Robert  Harris,  Thomas  Person,  Philemon  Hawkins. 

1784.  John  Taylor,  Thomas  Person,  Thornton  Yancey. 

1785.  Howell  Lewis,  Thomas  Person,  Philemon  Hawkins. 


y't 


166 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senators. 

1786.  Howell  Lewis, 

1787.  Thomas  Person, 

1788.  Memucan  Hunt, 

1789.  Samuel  Clay, 

1790.  Samuel  Clay, 

1791.  Samuel  Clay, 

1792.  William  P.  Little, 

1793.  William  P.  Little, 

1794.  AVilliam  P.  Little, 

1795.  William  P.  Little, 

1796.  William  P.  Little, 

1797.  William  P.  Little, 

1798.  William  P.  Little, 

1799.  AVashington  Salter, 

1800.  Thomas  Taylor, 

1801.  Thomas  Taylor, 

1802.  Thomas  Taylor, 

1803.  Joseph  Tay'lor, 

1804.  Thomas  Person, 

1805.  Thomas  Person, 

1806.  Thomas  Person, 

1807.  Thomas  Person, 

1808.  Thomas  Taylor, 

1809.  Thomas  Taylor, 

1810.  Thomas  Taylor, 

1811.  Thomas  Taylor, 

1812.  Thomas  Person, 

1813.  Thomas  Falconer, 

1814.  Thomas  Person, 

1815.  James  Young, 

1816.  AVillis  Lewis, 

1817.  Willis  Lewis, 

1818.  Daniel  .Jones, 

1819.  Daniel  Jones, 

1820.  Thomas  Person, 

1821.  Jos.  H.  Bryan, 

1822.  William  M.  Sneed, 

1823.  William  M.  Sneed, 

1824.  James  Nuttall, 

1825.  William  M.  Sneed, 

1826.  William  M.  Sneed, 

1827.  James  Nuttall, 

1828.  Thomas  T.  Hunt, 

1829.  William  M.  Sneed, 

1830.  AVilliam  M.  Sneed, 

1831.  William  M.  Sneed, 

1832.  Thomas  W.  Norman, 

1833.  Thomas  W.  Norman, 

1834.  James  Wyche, 

1835.  James  Wyche, 

1836.  John  C.  Taylor, 

1838.  John  C.  Taylor, 

1840.  AVilliam  A.  Johnson, 

1842.  Elijah  Hester, 

1844.  George  Eaton, 

1846.  James  A.  Russell, 

1848.  John  Hargrove, 

1850.  Nath.  E.  Cannady, 


Members  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
Thornton  Yancey,  Philemon  Hawkins. 
Thornton  Yancey,  Philemon  Hawkins. 
Thomas  Person,' Elijah  Mitchell. 
Thornton  Yancey,  Philemon  Hawkins. 
Thornton  Yancey,  Thomas  Person. 
Elijah  Mitchell,  Thornton  Yancey. 
Elijah  Mitchell,  Thornton  Yancey. 
Thomas  Person,  Elijah  Mitchell. 
James  Yaughan,  Thomas  Person. 
Thomas  Person,  Thomas  Taylor. 
Thomas  Taylor,  Elijah  Mitchell. 
Thomas  Taylor,  Thomas  Person. 
Thomas  Taylor,  Sterling  Y'ancey. 
Thomas  Taylor,  Sterling  Y'ancey. 
Sterling  Y^ancey,  Benjamin  E.  Person. 
John  R.  Eaton,  Samuel  Parker. 
John  R.  Eaton,  Samuel  Parker. 
John  Washington,  Samuel  Parker. 
Barnett  PuUiam,  Henry  Yancey. 
John  Washington,  Henry  Y^incey. 
Henry  Y^ancey,  William  Robards. 
Henry  Yancey,  John  Washington. 
Samuel  Parker,  William  Robards. 
W^illiam  HaAvkins,  Henry  Yancey, 
Daniel  Jones,  William  Hawkins. 
William  Hawkins,  Daniel  .Jones. 
Woodson  Daniel,  John  R.  Eaton. 
John  Hare,  AVoodson  Daniel. 
Benjamin  Bullock,  Daniel  Jones. 
Daniel  Jones,  John  J.  .Judge. 
Daniel  Jones,  John  J.  Judge. 
AVilliam  Hawkins. 

Nath.  M.  Taylor,  Benjamin  M.  Hester. 
Richard  Sneed,  Samuel  Hillman. 
Richard  Sneed,  Samuel  Hillman. 
Richard  Sneed,  Samuel  Hillman. 
Robert  Jeter,  Thomas  Hunt. 

Robert  Jeter,  AVilliam  G.  Bowers. 
J,  C.  Taylor,  AVilliam  G.  Bowers. 
John  Glasgow,  Nicholas  Jones. 

Nicholas  Jones,  AVillis  Lewis. 

John  C.  Taj-lor,  John  Glasgow. 

James  AVyche,  Robert  Potter. 

James  AA^'yche,  Spencer  O'Brien. 

James  AA'yche,  Spencer  O'Brien. 

Spencer  O'Brien,  James  AVyche. 

Spencer  O'Brien,  John  C.  Ridley. 

AVilliam  R.  Hargrove,  James  AVyche. 

Sandy  Harris,  Robert  Potter. 

Chas.  R.  Eaton,  Elijah  Hester. 

Robert  B.  Gilliam,  Chas  R.  Eaton,  AVilliam 
riemming. 

Robt.  B.  Gilliam,  Chas.  R.  Eaton,  E.  Hester. 

Robt.  B.  Gilliam,  H.  L.  Robards,  James  A. 
Russell. 

Jona.  M.  Stone,  Wm.  Russell,  Kemp  P.  Hill. 

Jona.  M.  Stone,  J.  M.  Bullock,  J.  T.  Little- 
jobn. 

R.  B.  Gilliam,  J.  M.  Bullock,  Jona.  M.  Stone. 

R.  B.  Gilliam,  Geo.  Green,  N.  E.  Cannady. 

Jas.  S.  Amis,  AVm.  R.  AViggins,  L.  Parham. 


GREENE  COUNTY.  167 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 


GREENE  COUNTY. 


Until  1791,  there  was  in  North  Carolina  a  county  called  Dobbs, 
in  compliment  to  Arthur  Dobbs,  Royal  Governor  of  the  State  in 
1754.  In  1791,  Dobbs  was  divided  into  Lenoir  and  Glasgow,  and 
in  1799,  the  name  of  Greene  was  substituted  for  that  of  Glasgow. 

It  was  named  in  compliment  to  General  Nathaniel  Greene,  who  was 
one  of  the  bravest,  most  sagacious,  and  most  successful  officers  of  tlie  Revo- 
lution, and  the  saviour  of  the  south  from  the  invasions  of  the  British.  He 
was  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  where  he  was  born  in  1741.  He  was  of  Quaker 
parentage.  He  was  a  Major  General  in  the  revolutionary  army.  He  was 
at  the  battle  of  Trenton,  1776,  and  Princeton,  and  commanded  the  left  wing 
at  Germantown,  1777,  under  the  eye  of  Washington,  whose  confidence  and 
regard  he  possessed  in  an  eminent  degree.  After  the  disastrous  defeat  of 
General  Gates,  at  Camden,  by  Lord  Cornwallis,  in  August,  1780,  General 
Washington  sent  General  Greene  to  take  command  of  the  south.  He  arrived 
at  Charlotte  on  the  2d  December,  1780. 

On  the  15th  March,  1781,  he  fought  the  battle  of  Guilford  Court  House, 
at  which,  although  he  ordered  a  retreat,  he  was  not  defeated ;  for  he  so 
crippled  Lord  Cornwallis,  that  he  avoided  battle  and  was  forced  to  retrograde 
to  Wilmington,  leaving  his  wounded  under  care  of  Greene. 

Greene  then  marched  to  South  Carolina,  then  overran  by  the  British. 
In  September,  1781,  he  fought  the  bloody  battle  of  Eutaw  Springs,  in  which 
he  routed  the  enemy. 

After  suffering  incredible  hardships  from  want  of  food  and  clothing  for 
his  troops,  his  patience  and  firmness  triumphed  over  all  obstacles.  He  drove 
the  Invaders  from  the  country  and  they  sailed  from  Charleston,  on  17th  Decem- 
ber. He  died  in  Georgia,  on  19th  June,  1786,  leaving  a  wife  and  five  children, 
and  a  fame  that  will  remain  as  long  as  patriotism  is  admired.  Worthy  is  his 
name  to  be  preserved  in  a  State  that  witnessed  his  patriotism  and  valor ! 

Greene  County  is  situated  in  the  south-eastern  part  of  the  State. 
Bounded  on  the  north,  by  Edgecombe ;  east,  by  Pitt ;  south,  by 
Lenoir  ;  and  west  by  Wayne. 

Its  capital  is  Snow  Hill,  eighty-nine  miles  east  of  Raleigh. 

Population,  3,259  whites  ;  3,244  slaves  ;  166  free  negroes  ;  5,321  represent- 
ative population. 

Products,  1,344,990  pounds  of  cotton;  3,627  pounds  of  wool;  2/9,730 
bushels  of  corn  ;  8,824  bushels  of  wheat ;  ,6,975  bushels  of  rye. 

Its  early  history  is  collected  under  Chapter  XLV.  (Lenoir),  to 
which  the  reader  is  referred. 

In  1711  the  Cothechney  Indians*  who  dwelt  in  this  county  joined 
with  other  tribes,  and  made  a  descent  upon  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Neuse  and  Trent,  and  massacred  130  persons. f 

*  Martin,  i.  244.  t  Vol.  i.  37. 

20 


168 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


"With  the  name  of  Greene  County  is  connected  the  memory  of  General 
Jesse  Speight,  -n-ho  ■was  for  many  years  her  representative  in  the  Legislature, 
a  member  of  Congress,  and  afterwards  a  Senator  in  Congress  from  the  State 
of  Mississippi,  which  elevated  position  he  held  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

General  Speight  was  born  in  Greene  County,  22d  September,  1795.  His 
father.  Rev.  Seth  Speight,  was  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Church.  His 
education  vras  not  extensive,  but  his  extraordinary  success  was  owing  to  his 
own  natural  shrewdness  of  character,  his  tall  and  commanding  person,  and 
untiring  perseverance. 

In  1822,  he  was  first  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons.  In  1823,  he  was 
a  member  of  the  Senate,  of  which  he  was  several  times  the  Speaker,  and 
continued  until  1827,  when  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, until  1837,  when  he  declined  a  re-election,  and  removed  to  the 
State  of  Mississippi.  He  was  soon  returned  a  member  of  the  Mississippi 
Legislature,  and  Speaker  of  the  Senate,  and  in  1844,  was  elected  to  the  Senate 
of  the  United  States,  which  post  he  held  at  the  time  of  his  death,  on  1st  May, 
1847. 

Without  any  extraordinary  powers  of  mind,  superior  education,  or  bril- 
liant parts  of  character,  such  unexampled  success  in  political  life  can  only  be 
attributed  to  native  energy  of  character,  devotion  to  principles,  and  simple- 
hearted  honesty. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Greene  County  from  its 
erection  to  last  session  : — 


Years. 

1800. 
1801. 
1802. 
1803. 
1804. 
1805. 
1806. 
1807. 
1808. 
1809. 
1810. 
1811. 
1812. 
1813. 
1814. 
1815. 
1810. 
1817. 
1818. 
1819. 
1820. 
1821. 
1822. 
1823. 
1824. 
1825. 
1826. 
1827. 
1828. 
1829. 
1830. 
1831. 
■  1832. 
1833. 
1834. 


Senators. 

Robert  White, 
Hymrick  Hooker, 
Hymrick  Hooker, 
Hymrick  Hooker, 
Hymrick  Hooker, 
Hymrick  Hooker, 
Hymrick  Hooker, 
Hymrick  Hooker, 


Wm.  V.  Spe 
Wm.  V.  Spe 
Wm.  V.  Spe 
Wm.  V.  Spe 
Wm.  V.  Spe 


Wm. 
Wm. 
Wm. 
Wm. 
Wm. 
Wm. 
Wm. 
Wm. 


Spe 
Spe 
V.  Spe 
V.  Spe 

Spe 
Spe 
Spe 
Spe 


Wm.  V.  Spe 
Wm.  V.  Spe 
Jesse  Speight, 
Jesse  Speight, 
Jesse  Speight, 
Jesse  Speight, 
Jesse  Speight, 
Jesse  Speight, 
Wyatt  Moye, 
Wyatt  IMoye, 
Wyatt  Moye, 
Wyatt  Moye, 
Wyatt  Moye, 
Wyatt  Moye, 


ght, 
gilt, 
ght, 
ght, 
ght, 
ght, 
ght, 
ght, 
ght, 
ght, 
ght, 
ght, 
ght, 
ght, 
ght, 


Members  of  House  of  Commons. 
Jonas  Williams,  Wm.  Taylor. 
William  Taylor,  Jonas  Williams. 
William  Taylor,  Jonas  Williams. 
Jonas  Williams,  Henry  Best. 
Jonas  Williams,  Alex.  Kilpatrick. 
Jonas  Williams,  Alex.  Kilpatrick. 
Jonas  Williams,  Kenchen  Garland. 
Jonas  Williams,  Henry  J.  G.  Ruffin. 
Henry  J.  G.  Ruffin,  Jonas  Williams. 
Henry  J.  G.  RufSn,  Jonas  Williams. 
Jonas  Williams,  Benjamin  Evans. 
Abraham  Darden,  Jonas  Williams. 
Wm.  Holliday,  Abraham  Darden. 
William  Pope,  Wm.  Holliday. 
J.  C.  Shepard,  William  Pope. 
William  Pope,  James  Eastwood. 
James  Eastwood,  William  Pope. 
Richard  G.  Bright,  William  Pope. 
Reuben  Wilcox,  William  Pope. 
A.  Darden,  William  Pope. 
Abraham  Darden,  William  Pope. 
Hymrick  Hooker,  A.  Darden. 
Charles  Edwards,  Jesse  Speight. 
R.  G.  Bright,  Charles  Edwards. 
Charles  Edwards,  R.  H.  F.  Harper. 
Charles  Edwards,.  Richard  H.  F.  Harper. 
Charles  Edwards,  Joseph  Ellis. 
James  Harper,  Joseph  Ellis. 
James  Harper,  Joseph  Ellis. 
James  Harper,  Arthur  Speight. 
James  Harper,  Elisha  Uzzell. 
Arthur  Speight,  James  Harper. 
James  Harper,  John  Beemond. 
James  Harper,  Robert  L.  Allen. 
James  Harper,  James  Williams. 


GUILFORD  COUNTY.  169 

Years.  Senators.  Members  of  House  of  Commons. 

1835.  Wyatt  Move,  James  Harper,  Thomas  Hooker. 

1836.  Wm.  D.  Moseley,  Thomas  Hooker. 
1838.  Wm.  D.  Moseley,  James  Williams. 
1840.  Jas.  B.  Whitfield,  John  W.  Taylor. 
1842.  E.  G.  Speight,  John  W.  Taylor. 
1844.  E.  G.  Speight,  James  Harper. 
1846.  E.  G.  Speight,  James  G.  Edwards, 
1848.  E.  G.  Speight,  James  G.  Edwards. 
1850.  E.  G.  Speight,  B.  F.  Williams. 


CHAPTER    XXXV. 


GUILFORD  COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation— Origin  of  name— Situation  and  boundaries— Population 
and  products— Revolutionary  history— Battle  at  Guilford  Court  house, 
fought  15th  March,  1781,  between  the  main  body  of  the  British  army  under 
Lord  Cornwallis,  and  the  American  army  under  General  Nathaniel  Greene  ; 
the  official  reports  of  the  same  by  Lord  Cornwallis,  copied  from  the  ar- 
chives of  the  English  government ;  and  General  Greene's  report  from  our 
own  archives— The  importance  of  this  battle,  and  its  effects  upon  the 
country— Life,  character,  and  services  of  Lord  Cornwallis— Colonel  B. 
Tarleton— Its  distinguished  citizens,  Rev.  David  Caldwell,  Gov.  Alexander 
Martin,  Hon.  John  M.  Morehead,  Hon.  John  M.  Dick,  and  others— Its 
members  of  Assembly. 

Guilford  County  was  erected  in  the  year  1770,  from  Rowan 
and  Orange.  It  was  called  in  compliment  of  Lord  North,  who  in 
1770,  succeeded  the  Duke  of  Grafton  as  First  Lord  of  the  Trea- 
sury, and  Prime  Minister.  He  was  heir  to  the  title  of  Guilford, 
and  eventually  succeeded  to  it  as  Earl  of  Guilford.* 

Its  situation  is  west  of  Raleigh,  and  the  county  presents  on  the 
map  a  beautiful  compact  square  ;  bounded  on  the  north  by  Rock- 
ingham, east  by  Alamance,  south  by  Randolph,  and  west  by  For- 
sythe  and  Davidson  Counties. 

Its  capital  is  G-reensboro',  a  most  flourishing  town,  named  in 
compliment  of  General  Nathaniel  Greene,  a  Major-General  in  the 
Revolutionary  Army,  and  whose  biography  is  to  be  found  in  Chap- 
ter XXXIV.,  on  Greene  County.  Most  appropriately  is  his  name 
preserved  in  the  very  region  which  witnessed  his  gallantry  and 

patriotism. 

Greensborough  is  distinguished  for  its  industry,  thrift,  and  en- 
terprise— for  its  manufactories  and  excellent  schools.  It  is  dis- 
tant eighty-two  miles  west  of  Raleigh. 

*  MS.  Letter  16th  July,  1851,  from  Hon.  George  Bancroft. 


170  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Population,  15,874  whites;  3,186  slaves;  694  free  negroes;  18,479  repre- 
sentative population. 

Products,  1,344,990  pounds  cotton;  3,627  pounds  wool ;  279,730  bushels 
corn  ;  8,824  bushels  wheat ;  6,975  bushels  rye  ;  2,455  bushels  oats. 

The  County  of  Guilford,  including  the  present  counties  of 
Randolph  (formed  in  1770)  and  Rockingham  (formed  in  1785), 
was  settled  about  1760,  the  south  and  west  part  by  Quakers  from 
Pennsylvania  and  Nantucket ;  the  north  and  east  by  the  Presby- 
terians and  Baptists. 

Among  the  Quakers  Nathan  Hunt  in  early  days  was  eminent  in  propa- 
gating the  peaceful  doctrines  of  that  exemplary  class  of  Christians.  George 
Pope  was  equally  successful  among  the  people,  in  establishing  the  Baptist's 
faith  ;  and  David  Caldwell  was  distinguished  as  a  Presbyterian  minister. 
There  was  a  sect  called  Nicholites  ;  so  called  from  their  leader,  William 
Nichols,  from  the  State  of  Delaware.  They  had  a  meeting-house  on  Deep 
River,  on  the  west  line  of  Guilford.  They  diifered  but  little  from  the 
Quakers.  They  wore  no  dye  in  their  clothes,  only  the  simple  coloring  that 
Nature  gave  the  wool  or  cotton. 

To  the  General  Meeting  of  Delegates  at  Newbern,  on  3d  April,  1775, 
from  Guilford  as  a  delegate,  was  Alexander  Martin. 

At  the  meeting  at  Hillsboro'  on  21st  August,  1775,  Alexander  Martin, 
Ransom  Soctherland,  Samuel  Parke  Farley,  Thomas  Henderson,  William 
Dent,  George  Cortner  and  Nathaniel  Williams,  were  delegates. 

At  the  meeting  at  Halifax,  on  April  4ih,  1776  (which  placed  the  State  in 
military  organization),  delegates  from  Guilford  were,  Ransom  Southerland, 
William  Dent,  and  Ralph  Gorrell. 

The  officers  appointed  for  Guilford,  were  James  Martin,  Colonel ;  John 
Paisly,  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  Thomas  Owen,  1st  Major;  and  Thomas  Blair, 
2d  Major. 

At  the  meeting  at  Halifax,  Nov.  12th,  1776  (which  formed  the  Constitution), 
the  delegates  from  Guilford,  were  David  Caldwell,  Joseph  Hinds,  Ralph 
Gorrell,  Charles  Bruce,  and  Isham  Browder. 

These  names  prove  that  Guilford  County  was  early  alive  to  the 
spirit  of  liberty. 

Indeed,  before  the  Revolution  broke  out,  many  of  her  citizens 
were  concerned  in  the  contest  with  the  Royal  Governor  (William 
Tryon),  and  were  engaged  in  the  battle  at  Alamance,  in  June,  1771, 
where  the  first  blood  of  the  colonists  was  spilled  by  English  troops 
in  America.  This  history  has  been  so  fully  explained  by  a  pre- 
vious chapter  (Alamance),  and  the  official  documents  therein  pub- 
lished, that  any  further  remarks  here  are  unnecessary. 

We  approach  the  great  battle  which  distinguishes  the  county  of 
Guilford  as  its  scene  of  action ;  the  most  important  ever  fought 
in  the  State,  and  most  important  to  the  cause  of  America  in  the 
whole  south. 

Lord  Cornwallis,  after  the  battle  of  Camden  (1780),  had  marched 
into  North  Carolina. 

A  chosen  detachment,  under  Colonel  Tarleton,  had  been  de- 
feated at  the  Cowpens,  by  General  Morgan  (in  January,  1781), 
and   by  rapid   movements   Cornwallis  had  endeavored   to   inter- 


GUILFORD  COUNTY.  171 

cept  General  Morgan,  and  prevent  his  junction  with  Greene.  By 
the  interposition  of  Providence,  and  the  activity  of  :Morgan,  this 
was  baffled,  and  Morgan's  detachment  united  with  the  main  army, 
on  Feb.  10th,  1781,  near  Guilford  Court  House,  when  Cornwallis 
was  only  twenty-five  miles  in  the  rear.* 

While  Greene  was  at  Guilford,  Cornwallis  was  at  Salem. 

Disappointed  in  this,  CornwaUis  advanced  rapidly  on  the  main 
body  of  Greene's  Army  (who  was  still  too  weak  to  risk  a  general 
battle),  and  hoped  to  prevent  his  crossing  the  Dan  River  into  Vir- 
ginia. The  whole  retreat  was  conducted  with  all  the  skill  of  mili- 
tary science.  Its  records  are  full  of  glowing  incidents,  and  is  only 
equaled  by  the  celebrated  retreat  of  the  Ten  Thousand  in  Grecian 
history,  as  recorded  by  Herodotus.  The  rear  guard  of  our  army 
under  Lee,  and  the  advance  of  the  British  under  General  O'Hara, 
were  by  day  often  in  sight,  and  at  night  the  watch  fires  of  each 
other  were  visible. 

"  More  than  once,"  says  Colonel  Lee,t  in  his  beautiful  Memoirs 
of  the  War,  "  were  his  legion  and  the  van  of  O'Hara  within  musket 
shot.  This  presented  so  tempting  an  invitation  to  the  marksmen 
flanking  his  legion,  that  at  first  he  with  difficidty  restrained  their 
fire.  But  this  at  length  became  so  usual  that  this  disposition  be- 
came checked,  and  the  demeanor  of  the  hostile  troops  became  so 
pacific  that  a  spectator  would  have  been  led  to  consider  them  mem- 
bers of  the  same  army." 

To  the  British,  with  veteran  troops  flushed  with  victory,  a  battle 
was  certain  success  over  the  undisciplined  troops  of  Greene,  harassed 
by  defeats,  undisciplined,  and  unprepared  with  the  munitions  of  war. 

Cornwallis,  with  mistaken  confldence  from  information  derived 
from  those  not  acquainted  with  the  country,  believed  that  Greene 
could  not  cross  the  Dan ;  and  therefore  he  deemed  a  general  action 
unavoidable,  and,  like  all  prudent  Generals,  took  his  own  timeand 
place  for  battle. 

"Never,"  says  a  historian,  "had  the  feelings  of  the  American 
People  been  so  wrought  up  as  upon  this  occasion.  For  a  month 
they  had  been  in  breathless  anxiety  at  the  perilous  position  of  Greene, 
upon  whose  skill,  courage,  and  strategy,  now  hung  the  hopes  of  the 
country.  One  unguarded  moment,  one  false  step,  would  have  lost 
the  Army,  and  with  it  the  hopes  of  the  whole  south.  Never  upon 
the  firm  heart  and  pure  mind  of  one  man,  depended  more  important 

duties." 

General  Carrington  had  been  dispatched  to  secure  boats  to  cross 
the  Dan  River,  and  the  gallant  Kosciusko  was  advanced  to  raise  a 
breast-work  at  the  ferry,  to  cover  the  crossing  of  the  army,  should 
they  be  attacked.  The  passage  of  the  Dan  was  efi"ected  at  Boyd's 
Ferry.  The  boats  and  flats  were  secured  on  the  other  side,  to  pre- 
vent the  passage  of  the  army  of  Cornwallis. 

So  close  were  the  English  on  their  heels,  that  the  American  rear 

*  'Lee's  Memoirs,  p.  136.    Life  of  Greene,  by  Johnson,  vol.  i.  p.  429. 
■)■  Lee's  JVlemoirs,  p.  146. 


172  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

had  scarcely  landed  on  the  north  bank,  when  the  British  advance 
appeared  on  the  opposite  side.  The  British  had  marched  forty 
miles  in  the  last  twenty-four  hours.* 

Thus  ended  this  retreat ;  the  joy  of  the  Americans  on  the  even- 
ing of  the  14th  of  February,  1781,  was  great,  when  they  found  that 
by  the  prudence  of  their  Commander,  and  their  own  unparalleled 
exertions,  they  were  safe  from  the  attack  of  the  British. 

This  retreat  is  one  of  the  most  celebrated  in  our  history.  It 
called  for  the  admiration  of  the  friends  of  America,  and  the  unquali- 
fied praises  of  every  British  writer. 

Lord  Cornwallis  was  thunderstruck  at  this  movement,  for  he  did 
not  know  that  the  Americans  were  at  the  river  until  he  was  informed 
of  their  safe  passage  over  the  Dan.f  Despairing  of  all  hopes  to 
attack  the  Americans,  he  gave  repose  to  his  wearied  troops,  and 
returned  in  easy  marches  to  Hillsboro',  where,  on  the  20th  of 
February,  1781,  he  erected  the  Royal  Standard,  and  issued  a  pro- 
clamation inviting  all  loyal  subjects  to  repair  to  it  and  assist  him 
to  restore  the  English  rule. 

Cornwallis  now  reposed  in  quiet;  he  had  found  the  promised 
land,  and  with  no  enemy  to  oppose  him,  he  thought  that  like 
Georgia  and  South  Carolina,  North  Carolina  had  been  brought 
under  the  royal  yoke  of  England.  But  he  was  soon  to  be  unde- 
ceived. 

Greene,  reinforced  by  troops  from  Virginia,  under  Stevens ;  from 
Maryland,  under  Captain  Oldham ;  and  a  corps  under  Pickens  from 
South  Carolina,  on  the  21st  of  February,  recrossed  the  Dan  into 
North  Carolina.  After  several  skirmishes  between  the  light  corps 
and  the  enemy,  Greene,  being  further  reinforced  by  the  levies  from 
Virginia  under  Gen.  LaAVSon;  the  North  Carolina  militia,  under 
Colonel  Cleaveland,  one  of  the  heroes  of  King's  Mountain,  and 
Generals  Butler  and  Eaton,  took  position  at  Troublesome  Iron 
Works.  With  a  sagacity  rarely  excelled,  and  in  courage  never,  he 
determined  to  risk  the  cause  of  the  South,  his  army,  and  himself, 
by  an  appeal  to  the  sword.  This  was  what  Lord  Cornwallis  ear- 
nestly desired.  Both  Commanders  felt  the  deep  responsibility  that 
rested  upon  them.  Never  Avere  the  liberties  of  the  country  in  more 
jeopardy,  nor  was  ever  the  military  genius  of  both  these  celebrated 
leaders  more  skillfully  exercised.  Greene  advanced,  repassed  the 
Haw,  and  took  ground  at  Guilford  Court  House,  about  ten  miles 
from  the  present  town  of  Greensboro',  and  awaited  with  calmness 
the  conflict  that  was  now  inevitable. 

In  his  letters  at  this  important  crisis.  General  Greene  announces 
to  the  President  of  Congress  his  fixed  determination  to  risk  the 
cause  of  the  country  on  the  trial  by  battle.  If,  said  he,  I  am 
forced  to  retreat  or  vanquished,  the  country  is  in  no  worse  condi- 
tion than  it  now  is,  overrun  by  the  enemy.  If  I  am  victor,  or  crip- 
ple Lord  Cornwallis,  he  and  the  royal  cause  are  ruined  in  the  State. 

*  Stedman,  vol.  ii.  p.  332. 

t  Lord  Cornwallis'  Military  Secretary,  Stedman,  History  of  American  War,  ii.  332. 


GUILFORD  COUNTY.  173 

Lord  Cornwallis  accepted  gladly  the  opportunity  of  battle.  "  On 
the  14th  of  March,"  says  Stedman,  "the  baggage  Avas  sent  off  to 
Bell's  Mill,  on  Deep  River,  and  at  dawn  the  next  day  the  rest  of 
the  army  was  put  in  motion  towards  Guilford  Court  House." 

The  battle  ground,  near  the  great  State  road,  was  on  the  brow 
of  a  hill,  which  descends  gradually  for  half  a  mile,  and  ends  in  a 
small  valley  intersected  by  a  rivulet.  On  the  right  of  the  road  is 
open  ground,  on  the  left  from  the  old  Court  House  was  a  deep 
forest  of  lofty  trees ;  below  this  forest  is  a  small  piece  of  open 
ground,  which  the  summer  before  had  been  worked  in  corn.  In  the 
road.  Captain  Singleton  with  two  six  pounders,  was  posted  across 
the  road.  In  the  first  line  was  placed  the  North  Carolina  militia, 
under  Butler  and  Eaton,  assisted  by  Colonel  Davie,  who  was  Com- 
missary-General of  the  troops,  four  yards  in  Singleton's  rear ; 
behind  this  line,  at  some  distance,  were  the  Virginia  troops,  under 
Stevens  and  Lawson,  posted.  The  Continental  troops  (four  regi- 
ments) were  posted  to  the  rear  of  these  some  distance,  the  two 
regiments  of  Virginia,  under  Colonels  Greene  and  Hawes,  com- 
manded by  General  Huger;  the  two  Maryland  regiments  under 
Colonels  Ford  and  Gunby,  commanded  by  Colonel  Williams.  On 
the  right,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Washington  and  his  cavalry,  the 
Delaware  company,  under  Captain  Kirkwood,  and  Colonel  Lynch, 
with  a  battalion  of  Virginia  militia,  was  posted  to  hold  safe  that 
flank.  For  the  same  purpose  Colonel  Lee  was  posted  on  the  left 
flank,  with  his  legion  and  the  Virginia  riflemen  under  Colonel 
Campbell. 

The  British  advance  was  led  by  Tarleton,  consisting  of  cavalry, 
light-infantry,  and  Yagers.  They  commenced  the  attack.  He  was 
met  and  received  with  much  firmness  by  Colonel  Lee  and  the  Vir- 
ginia militia.  Lee  maintained  his  ground  with  great  firmness  until 
the  approach  of  the  23d  regiment,  when  he  retired,  and  took  his 
position  in  the  line.  The  British  line  then  advanced  in  full  force. 
The  regiment  of  Bose,  led  by  General  Leslie,  on  the  right,  the  23d 
and  33d  regiments  on  the  left,  led  by  Colonel  Webster.  With  the 
firmness  of  veterans  they  received  the  scattered  fire  of  the  Ameri- 
cans at  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  forty  yards.  They  con- 
tinued to  advance  on  the  line  of  North  Carolina  troops  until  within 
a  short  distance,  when  they  fired,  and  with  a  shout  which  rent  the 
air,  they  charged  bayonets.  To  raw  troops,  never  before  in  battle, 
this  was  not  to  be  stood.  They  retreated  behind  the  second  line. 
This  line  behaved  with  more  firmness ;  but  they,  when  charged,  also 
retreated.  The  British  line  now  became  much  extended.  With  a  deter- 
mined resolution  to  conquer  the  English  advance  on  the  third  line,  the 
flower  and  hope  of  the  American  army,  and  on  which  the  hopes  for 
victory  depended.  Gen.  Greene  passed  in  person  along  the  line,  ex- 
horting his  men.  The  enemy  was  firmly  received  and  bravely 
resisted.  Here  the  battle  raged  with  great  violence,  each  striving 
for  victory,  when  Colonel  Washington  (as  he  did  at  the  Cowpens) 
pressed  forward  with  his  cavalry.     The  English,  under  Stuart  gave 


174  HISTORY  OF  NOETH  CAROLINA. 

ground,  when  "Washington  fell  on  him,  sword  in  hand,  followed  bj 
Howard,  with  fixed  bayonets.  Stuart  fell  by  the  sword  of  Captain 
Smith,  of  the  first  regiment,  and  his  battalion  driven  back  with 
great  slaughter ;  and  its  remains  were  only  saved  by  the  English 
artillery,  which  opened  at  this  moment,  by  order  of  Lord  Cornwal- 
lis,  on  friends  and  foes.  Howard  and  Washington  retired.  Webster 
having  put  Ford  to  flight,  recrossed  the  ravine,  and  attacked  Hawes' 
regiment.  Here  the  action  recommenced  with  great  vigor.  But 
the  flight  of  the  second  regiment  of  Maryland,  and  the  corps  of 
Lee  separated  from  the  army,  General  Greene  (with  a  fixed  deter- 
mination not  to  risk  a  total  discomfiture  or  annihilation  of  his  force), 
ordered  a  retreat,  which  was  efi"ected  in  good  order.  The  enemy 
had  been  too  crippled  to  pursue.  Greene  halted  three  miles  from 
the  field,  to  collect  the  stragglers  and  fugitives,  and  then  fell  back 
on  his  former  position  at  the  Iron  Works. 

Thus  ended  the  hard  fought  battle  of  Guilford  Court  House. 
Twice  was  the  British  line  broken  by  American  valor;  the  pos- 
session of  the  field  by  Cornwallis  was  no  evidence  of  his  victory. 
Great  was  the  stake,  and  boldly  was  it  contested. 

These  two  great  Generals  here  had  a  fair  passage  at  arms.  Both 
brave,  both  skillful,  they  exposed  their  persons,  unconscious,  or  dis- 
regardful  of  danger.  On  one  occasion  Greene  was  nearly  taken  a 
prisoner;  the  enemy  was  within  thirty  paces  of  him,  when  Major 
Pendleton  discovered  them,  and  warned  him  of  his  danger.  Corn- 
wallis, when  he  discovered  his  guards  flying  before  the  pursuing 
troops  of  Washington  and  Howard,  ordered  his  artillery  to  fire 
upon  them ;  General  O'Hara  remonstrating,  that  this  fire  would  ne- 
cessarily destroy  his  own  men,  "True,"  said  Cornwallis,  "but  we 
must  endure  this  e^^l  to  escape  certain  destruction." 

The  next  day  Lord  Cornwallis  put  his  army  in  motion  for  Bell's 
Mills,  where  his  rear  guard  and  baggage  were,  leaving  the  field  and 
his  wounded  to  the  care  of  General  Greene. 

The  night  of  the  day  after  the  battle  was  remarkable  for  its 
darkness,  and  for  the  torrents  of  rain  that  fell.  The  cries  of  the 
wounded  and  dying  exceeded  all  description. 

Greene  prepared  to  renew  the  contest.  He  reported  on  the 
next  day,  "his  men  in  good  spirits,  and  in  perfect  readiness  for 
another  field."  But  Cornwallis  now  had  enough  of  Greene,  He 
avoided  battle,  which  before  he  had  so  anxiously  sought,  and  retired 
to  Wilmington.  He  from  thence  marched  to  Virginia,  where,  at 
Yorktown,  on  the  19th  October,  1781,  he  surrendered  to  AVashington. 

Greene  marched  to  the  south,  and  by  hard  fought  battles  at 
Eutaw  Springs  and  elsewhere,  redeemed  the  south  from  the  En- 
glish possession. 

The  ofiicial  accounts,  both  English  and  American,  are  herewith 
recorded. 

The  efi"ect  of  this  desperate  battle  was  to  break  down  the  English 
power  in  our  State,  subdue  the  Tories  (of  which,  in  this  region,  for 
the  honor  of  our  State,  there  were  far  too  many),  and  was  the  main 


GUILFORD  COUNTY.  175' 

blow  that  broke  the  chain  of  tyranny  which  bound  our  country  to 
England. 

OFFICIAL  DOCUMENTS. 
General  Greene,  to  the  Hon.  President  of  Congress: — 

Camp  at  the  Iron  Works,  ten  miles  from  Guilford  Court  House, 

March  16th,  1781. 

Sir— On  the  10th,  I  wrote  to  his  Excellency,  General  Washington,  from  the 
High  Rock  Ford,  on  the  Haw  River,  a  coyjy  of  which  I  enclosed  your 
Excellency,  that  I  had  effected  a  junction  with  a  Continental  regiment  of 
eighteen  months'  men,  and  two  considerable  bodies  of  militia,  belonging  to 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  After  this  junction,  I  took  the  resolution  of 
attacking  the  enemy  without  loss  of  time,  and  made  the  necessary  disposition 
accordingly,  heing  pe7^s^laded  that  if  we  were  successful,  it  would  prove  ruinous 
to  the  enemy,  and  if  otherwise,  it  ivould  only  j)rove  apjartial  evil  to  us. 

The  enemy  marched  from  the  High  Rock  Ford,  on  the  12th,  and  on  the 
14th,  arrived  at  Guilford.  The  enemy  lay  at  the  Quaker  Meeting-House,  on 
Deep  River,  eight  miles  from  our  camp.  On  the  morning  of  the  15th,  our  re- 
connoitering  party  reported  the  enemy  advancing  on  the  great  Salisbury 
Road.  The  army  was  drawn  up  in  three  lines.  The  front  line  was  com- 
posed of  North  Carolina  militia,  under  command  of  Generals  Eaton  and  But- 
ler ;  the  second  line,  of  Virginia  militia,  commanded  by  Generals  Stevens  and 
Lawson,  forming  two  brigades ;  the  third  line,  consisting  of  two  brigades,  one 
of  the  Virginia,  and  one  of  the  Maryland  Continental  troops,  commanded  by 
General  Huger  and  Colonel  Williams,  Lt.-Colonel  Washington,  with  the  dra- 
goons of  the  1st  and  3d  regiments;  adetatchment  of  light  infantry,  composed 
of  Continental  troops,  and  a  regiment  of  riflemen,  under  Culonel  Lynch, 
formed  a  corps  of  observation  for  the  security  of  our  right  flank ;  Lt.-Colonel 
Lee,  with  his  legion ;  a  detachment  of  light  infantry,  and  a  corps  of  riflemen, 
under  Colonel  Campbell,  formed  a  corps  of  observation  for  the  security  of  our 
left  flank. 

The  greater  part  of  this  country  is  a  wilderness,  with  a  few  cleared  fields 
interspersed  here  and  there.  The  army  was  drawn  up  on  a  large  hill  of 
ground,  surrounded  by  other  hills,  the  greater  part  of  which  was  covered  with 
timber  and  thick  underbrush.  The  front  line  was  posted  with  two  field  pieces 
just  on  the  edge  of  the  woods,  and  the  back  of  a  fence  which  ran  parallel  with 
the  line,  with  an  open  field  directly  in  their  front.  The  second  line  was  in  the 
woods,  about  three  hundred  yards  in  rear  of  the  first.  The  Continental 
troops  about  four  hundred  yards  in  rear  of  the  second,  with  a  double  front, 
as  the  hill  drew  to  a  point  where  they  were  posted,  and  on  the  right  and  left 
were  two  old  fields.  In  this  position  we  waited  the  approach  of  the  enemy, 
having  previously  sent  off  the  baggage  to  this  place,  appointed  to  rendezvous 
at,  in  case  of  defeat.  Lt.-Colonel  Lee,  with  his  legion,  his  infantry,  and  a 
part  of  his  riflemen,  met  the  enemy  on  their  advance,  and  had  a  severe 
skirmish  with  Lt.-Colonel  Tarleton,  in  which  the  enemy  suffered  greatly. 
Captain  Armstrong  charged  the  British  legion,  and  cut  down  near  thirty 
of  their  dragoons;  l)ut  as  the  enemy  re-inforced  their  party,  Lt.-Colonel 
Lee  was  obliged  to  retire,  and  take  his  position  in  the  line. 

The  action  commenced  by  a  cannonade,  when  the  enemy  advanced  in 
three  columns.  The  Hessians  on  the  right,  the  Guards  in  the  centre,  and 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Webster  on  the  west.  The  whole  moved  through  the 
old  fields  to  attack  the  North  Carolina  brigades,  who  waited  the  attack 
until  the  enemy  got  within  150  yards,  when  a  part  of  them  began  to  fire,  but 
a  considerable  part  left  the  ground  without  firing  at  all.  The  General  and 
Field  ofiicers  did  all  they  could  to  induce  them  to  stay.  General  Stevens  and 
General  Lawson,  and  the  field  ofiicers  of  their  brigades,  were  more  success- 
ful in  their  exertions.     The  Virginia  militia  gave  the  enemy  a  warm  reception, 


176  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

and  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  for  a  long  time  ;  but  being  beaten  back,  the  battle 
became  general  almost  everywhere.  The  corps  of  observation,  under  Wash- 
ington and  Lee,  were  warmly  engaged,  and  did  great  execution.  In  a  word, 
the  engagement  was  long  and  severe,  and  the  enemy  only  gained  their  point 
by  superior  discipline. 

They  having  broken  the  Maryland  line,  and  turned  our  left  flank,  got  into 
the  rear  of  the  Virginia  brigade,  and  appearing  to  be  gaining  our  right, 
■which  would  have  encircled  the  whole  continental  troops,  I  thought  it  most 
advisable  to  order  a  retreat. 

About  this  time  Lieutenant-Colonel  Washington  made  a  charge  with  the 
Horse  upon  a  part  of  the  brigade  of  Guards,  and  the  first  regiment  of  Mary- 
landers,  commanded  by  Colonel  Granby,  and  seconded  by  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Howard,  followed  the  Horse  with  their  bayonets,  and  nearly  the  whole  party 
fell  a  sacrifice. 

General  Huger  was  the  last  that  was  engaged,  and  gave  the  enemy  a  check. 
We  retreated  in  good  order  to  the  Keedy  Fork  River,  and  crossed  at  the  ford, 
about  three  miles  from  the  field  of  action,  and  there  halted  and  drew  up  the 
troops,  until  we  collected  the  most  of  the  stragglers. 

We  lost  our  artillery  and  two  ammunition  wagons,  the  greater  part  of  the 
horses  being  killed  before  the  retreat  began,  and  it  being  impossible  to  move 
the  pieces  but  along  the  great  road. 

After  collecting  our  stragglers,  we  retired  to  the  camp,  ten  miles  distant 
from  Guilford. 

From  the  best  information  I  can  get,  the  enemy's  loss  is  very  great — not 
less  in  killed  and  wounded  than  six  hundred  men,  besides  some  prisoners 
that  we  brought  ofi". 

Inclosed  I  send  your  Excellency  a  return  of  our  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing.  Most  of  the  latter  have  gone  home,  as  is  too  customary  with  the 
militia  after  an  action.  I  cannot  learn  that  the  enemy  has  got  any  considera- 
ble number  of  prisoners. 

Our  men  are  all  in  good  spirits,  and  in  perfect  readiness  for  another  field 
day. 

I  only  lament  the  loss  of  several  valuable  officers  who  were  killed  and 
wounded  in  the  action.  Among  the  latter  are  General  Stephens,  shot  through 
the  thigh,  and  General  Huger,  in  the  hand.  Among  the  former  is  Major 
Anderson,  of  the  Maryland  line. 

The  firmness  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  during  the  whole  campaign  has 
been  most  unparalleled.  Amidst  innumerable  difficulties,  they  have  disco- 
vered a  degree  of  magnanimity  and  fortitude  that  will  forever  add  lustre  to 
their  military  reputation. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  very  great  respect  and  esteem, 

Your  Excellency's  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant, 

NATHANIEL  GREENE. 

Return  of  the  killed,  wounded,  and  missing  of  the  Continental  troops,  in 
the  action  of  the  15th  March,  1781,  near  Guilford  Court  House: — 

1  major,  9  captains,  7  subalterns,  14  sergeants,  8  drums  and  fifes,  and  290 
rank  and  file. 

Same  of  Virginia  militia  : — 

8  captains,  18  subalterns,  15  sergeants,  361  rank  and  file. 

Same  of  Noi'th  Carolina  militia: — 

Killed,  6  rank  and  file ;  wounded,  1  captain,  1  subaltern,  3  rank  and  file  ; 
missing,  2  captains,  9  subalterns,  552  rank  and  file. 

The  North  Carolina  Cavalry,  commanded  by  the  Marquis  of  Bretigny,  lost 
one  man  killed,  and  one  wounded. 

Earl  Cornwallis  [Ko.  8.),  to  Lord  George  Germain,  dated  Guilford,  17th 
March,  1781. 

My  Lord — I  have  the  satisfaction  to  inform  your  lordship  that  his  Ma- 
jesty's troops,  under  my  command,  obtained  a  signal  victory  on  the  15tli  in- 
stant over  the  rebel  army,  commanded  by  General  Greene. 


GUILFORD  COUNTY.  177 

In  pursuance  of  my  intended  plan  communicated  to  your  lordship  in  my 
dispatch,  No.  7,  I  had  encamped  on  the  13th  instant  at  the  Quakers'  Meeting 
between  the  forks  of  Deep  River.  On  tlie  14th  I  received  information  that 
General  Butler,  with  a  body  of  North  Carolina  militia,  and  the  expected  re- 
inforcements from  Virginia,  said  to  consist  of  a  Virginia  State  regiment,  a 
corps  of  Virginia  eighteen  months  men,  three  thousand  Virginia  militia,  and 
recruits  from  the  Maryland  line,  had  joined  General  Greene,  and  that  the 
whole  army,  which  was  reported  to  amount  to  nine  or  ten  thousand  men, 
was  marching  to  attack  the  British  troops.  During  the  afternoon  intelligence 
was  brought  which  was  confirmed  in  the  night,  that  he  had  advanced  that 
day  to  Guilford,  about  twelve  miles  from  our  camp.  Being  now  persuaded 
that  he  had  resolved  to  hazard  an  engagement,  after  detaching  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Hamilton  with  our  wagons  and  baggage,  escorted  by  his  own  regi- 
ment, a  detachment  of  one  hundred  infantry  and  twenty  cavalry  towards 
Bell's  Mill  on  Deep  River,  I  marched  with  the  rest  of  the  corps  at  day-break 
on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  to  meet  the  enemy  or  attack  them  in  their  en- 
campment. About  four  miles  from  Guilford  our  advanced  guard,  com- 
manded by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton,  fell  in  with  a  corps  of  the  enemy, 
consisting  of  Lee's  legion,  some  back-mountain  men,  and  Virginia  militia, 
which  he  attacked  with  his  usual  good  conduct  and  spirit  and  defeated  ;  and 
continuing  our  march  we  found  the  rebel  army  posted  on  rising  grounds, 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  court  house.  The  prisoners  taken  by  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Tarleton  having  been  several  days  with  the  advanced  corps, 
could  give  me  no  account  of  the  enemy's  order  or  position,  and  the  country 
people  were  extremely  inaccurate  in  their  description  of  the  ground.  Im- 
mediately between  the  head  of  the  column  and  the  enemy's  line  was  a  con- 
siderable plantation,  one  large  field  of  which  was  on  our  left  of  the  road, 
and  two  others  with  a  wood  of  about  two  hundred  yards  broad  between 
them  ;  on  our  right  of  it  beyond  these  fields  the  wood  continued  for  several 
miles  to  our  right.  The  wood  beyond  the  plantation  in  our  front,  in  the  skirt 
of  which  the  enemy's  first  line  was  formed,  was  about  a  mile  in  depth,  the 
road  then  leading  into  an  extensive  space  of  cleared  ground  about  Guilford 
court  house.  The  woods  on  our  right  and  left  were  reported  to  be  imprac- 
ticable for  cannon ;  but  as  that  on  our  right  appeared  the  most  open,  I  re- 
solved to  attack  the  left  wing  of  the  enemy  ;  and  whilst  my  disposition  was 
making  for  that  purpose,  I  ordered  Lieutenant  McLeod  to  bring  forward 
the  guns,  and  cannonade  their  centre.  The  attack  was  directed  to  be  made 
in  the  following  order: — 

On  the  right  the  regiment  of  Bose  and  the  71st  regiment  led  by  IMajor-Ge- 
neral  Leslie,  and  supported  by  the  1st  battalion  of  guards  ;  on  the  left  the 
23d  and  33d  regiments  led  by  Lieutenant-Colonel  Webster,  and  supported 
by  the  grenadiers  and  2d  battalion  of  guards,  commanded  by  Brigadier- 
General  O'ilara,  the  yagers  and  light  infantry  of  the  guards  remained  in  the 
wood  on  the  left  of  the  guns,  and  the  cavalry  in  the  road  ready  to  act  as  cir- 
cumstances might  require.  Our  preparations  being  made,  the  action  began 
at  about  half  an  hour  past  one  in  the  afternoon.  Major-General  Leslie,  after 
being  obliged  by  the  great  extent  of  the  enemy's  lines,  to  bring  up  the  1st 
battalion  of  guards  to  the  right  of  the  regiment  of  Bose,  soon  defeated  every- 
thing before  him.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Webster  having  joined  the  left  of 
Major-General  Leslie's  division,  was  no  less  successful  in  his  front,  when  on 
finding  that  the  left  of  the  33d  was  exposed  to  a  heavy  fire  from  the  right 
wing  of  the  enemy,  he  changed  his  front  to  the  left,  and  being  supported  by 
the  yagers  and  light  infantry  of  the  guards  attacked  and  routed  it,  the  gre- 
nadiers and  2d  battalion  of  the  guards  moving  forward  to  occupy  the  ground 
left  vacant  by  the  movement  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Webster. 

All  the  infantry  being  now  in  the  line,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton  had 
directions  to  keep  his  cavalry  compact,  and  not  to  charge  without  positive 
orders,  except  to  protect  any  of  the  corps  from  the  most  evident  danger  of 
being  defeated.  The  excessiA-e  thickness  of  the  woods  rendered  our  bayonets 
of  little  use,  and  enabled  the  broken  enemy  to  make  frequent  stands  with  an 
irregular  fire,  which  occasioned  some  loss,  and  to  several  of  the  corps  great 


178  HISTORY  OP  XORTH  CAROLINA. 

delay,  particularly  on  our  right,  -where  the  1st  battalion  of  the  guards  and 
regiment  of  Bose  were  warmly  engaged  in  front,  flank  and  rear  with  some 
of  the  enemy  that  had  been  routed  on  the  first  attack,  and  with  part  of  the 
extremity  of  their  left  wing,  which  by  the  closeness  of  the  woods  had  been 
passed  unbroken.  The  71st  regiment  and  grenadiers  and  2d  battalion  of 
the  guards  not  knowing  what  was  passing  on  their  right,  and  hearing  the  fire 
advance  on  their  left,  continued  to  move  forward,  the  artillery  keeping  pace 
with  them  on  the  road  followed  by  the  cavalry.  The  2d  battalion  of  guards 
first  gained  the  clear  ground  near  Guilford  Court  house,  and  found  a  corps 
of  continental  infantry  much  superior  in  number,  formed  in  the  open  field 
on  the  left  of  the  road.  Glowing  with  impatience  to  signalize  themselves 
they  instantly  attacked  them,  and  defeated  them,  taking  two  six  pounders  ; 
but  pursuing  into  the  wood  with  too  much  ardor,  were  thrown  into  confusion 
by  a  heavy  tire,  and  immediately  charged  and  driven  back  into  the  field  by 
Colonel  Washington's  dragoons,  with  the  loss  of  the  six  pounders  they  had 
taken.  The  enemy's  cavalry  was  soon  repulsed  by  a  well  directed  fire  from 
two  three-pounders,  just  brought  up  by  Lieutenant  McLeod,  and  by  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  grenadiers  of  the  guards  and  of  the  71st  regiment,  which, 
having  been  impeded  by  some  deep  ravines,  were  now  coming  out  of  the  wood 
on  the  right  of  the  guards  opposite  to  the  court  house. 

By  the  spirited  exertions  of  Brigadier-General  O'llara,  though  wounded, 
the  2d  battalion  of  the  guards  was  soon  rallied,  and  supported  by  the  grena- 
diers, returned  to  the  charge  with  the  greatest  alacrity.  The  23d  regiment 
arriving  at  that  instant  from  our  left,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton  having 
advanced  with  a  part  of  the  cavalry,  the  enemy  were  soon  put  to  flight,  and 
the  two  six  pounders  once  more  fell  into  our  hands;  two  ammunition  wagons, 
and  two  other  six  pounders,  being  all  tlie  artillery  they  had  in  the  field,  were 
likewise  taken.  About  this  time  the  33d  regiment  and  light  infantry  of  the 
guards,  after  overcoming  many  difficulties,  completely  routed  the  corps  which 
was  opposed  to  them,  and  put  an  end  to  the  action  in  this  quarter.  The  23d 
and  71st  regiments,  with  part  of  the  cavalry,  were  ordered  to  pursue;  the 
remainder  of  the  cavalry  was  detached  with  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton  to 
our  right,  where  a  heavy  fire  still  continued,  and  where  his  appearance  and 
spirited  attack  contributed  much  to  a  speedy  termination  of  the  action.  The 
militia  with  which  our  right  wing  had  been  engaged,  dispersed  in  the  woods, 
the  continentals  went  oS"  by  the  Ready  Fork,  beyond  which  it  was  not  in  my 
power  to  follow  them,  as  their  cavalry  sufi"ered  but  little. 

Our  troops  were  excessively  fatigued  by  an  action  which  lasted  an  hour 
and  a  half,  and  our  wounded,  dispersed  over  an  extensive  space  of  country, 
required  immediate  attention.  The  care  of  our  wounded,  and  the  total  want 
of  provisions  in  an  exhausted  country,  made  it  equally  impossible  for  me  to 
follow  the  blow  the  next  day.  The  enemy  did  not  stop  until  they  got  to  the 
Iron  Works  on  Troublesome  Creek,  eighteen  miles  from  the  field  of  battle. 

From  our  observation,  and  the  best  accounts  we  could  procure,  we  did  not 
doubt  but  the  strength  of  the  enemy  exceeded  seven  thousand  men  ;  their 
militia  composed  their  line,  with  parties  advanced  to  the  rails  of  the  field  in 
their  front ;  the  continentals  were  posted  obliquely  in  the  rear  of  their  right 
wing.  Their  cannon  fired  on  us  whilst  we  were  forming  from  the  centre  of 
the  line  of  militia,  but  were  withdrawn  to  the  continentals  before  the  attack. 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  your  Lordship,  the  list  of  our  killed  and 
wounded.  Captain  Schultz's  wound  is  supposed  to  be  mortal,  but  the  surgeons 
assure  me  that  none  of  the  other  officers  are  in  danger,  and  that  a  great 
number  of  the  men  will  soon  recover.  I  cannot  ascertain  the  loss  of  the 
enemy,  but  it  must  have  been  considerable  ;  between  two  and  three  hundred 
dead  were  left  upon  the  field;  many  of  them  wounded  that  were  able  to  move 
whilst  we  were  employed  in  the  care  of  our  own,  escaped  and  followed  the 
routed  enemy ;  and  our  cattle  drivers,  and  forage  parties,  have  reported  to 
me  that  the  houses  in  a  circle  of  six  or  eight  miles  round  us,  are  full  of 
others :  those  that  remained  we  have  taken  the  best  care  of  in  our  power. 
We  took  few  prisoners,  owing  to  the  excessive  thickness  of  the  wood  facili- 
tating their  escape,  and  every  man  of  our  army  being  repeatedly  wanted  for 
action. 


GUILFORD  COUl^TT.  179 

The  conduct  and  actions  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  that  composed  this 
little  army,  will  do  more  justice  to  their  merit,  than  I  can  by  words.  Their 
persevei-ing  intrepidity  in  action — their  invincible  patience  in  the  hardships 
and  fixtigues  of  a  march  of  above  six  hundred  miles,  in  which  they  have 
forded  several  large  rivers,  and  numberless  creeks,  many  of  which  would  be 
reckoned  large  rivers  in  any  other  country  in  the  world — without  tents  or 
covering  against  the  climate,  and  often  without  provisions,  will  sufficiently 
manifest  their  ardent  zeal  for  the  honor  and  interest  of  their  Sovereign  and 
their  country. 

I  have  been  particularly  indebted  to  Major-General  Leslie  for  his  gallantry 
and  exertion  in  the  action,  as  well  as  his  assistance  in  every  other  part  of  the 
service;  the  zeal  and  spirit  of  Brigadier-General  O'Hara  merit  my  highest 
commendations,  for  after  receiving  two  dangerous  wounds,  he  continued  in 
the  field  whilst  the  action  lasted,  by  his  earnest  attention  on  all  other  occa- 
sions seconded  by  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  his  brigade.  His  Majesty's 
Guards  were  no  less  distinguished  by  their  order  and  discipline,  than  by  their 
spirit  and  valor.  The  Hessian  regiment  of  Bose  deserves  my  warmest  praise 
for  its  discipline,  alacrity  and  courage,  and  does  honor  to  Major  Dubuy,  who 
commands  it,  and  who  is  an  officer  of  superior  merit.  I  am  much  obliged 
to  Brigadier-General  Howard,  who  served  as  a  volunteer,  for  his  spirited 
example  on  all  occasions.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Webster  conducted  his  brigade 
like  an  officer  of  experience  and  gallantry.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Tarleton's 
good  conduct  and  spirit  in  management  of  his  cavalry  was  conspicuous  during 
the  whole  action,  and  Lieutenant  McLeod,  who  commanded  the  artillery, 
proved  himself  upon  this,  as  well  as  all  former  occasions,  a  most  capable 
and  deserving  officer.  The  attention  and  exertions  of  my  aides-de-camp  and 
of  all  the  other  public  officers  of  the  army  contributed  very  much  to  the  suc- 
cess of  the  day. 

I  have  constantly  received  the  most  zealous  assistance  from  Governor 
Martin,  during  my  command  in  the  southern  district.  Hoping  that  his  pre- 
sence would  tend  to  entice  the  loyal  subjects  of  this  province  to  take  an  active 
part  with  us,  he  has  cheerfully  submitted  to  the  fatigues  and  dangers  of  our 
campaign,  but  his  delicate  constitution  has  suffered  by  his  public  spirit,  for 
by  the  advice  of  physicians  he  is  now  obliged  to  return  to  England  for  the 
recovery  of  his  health. 

This  part  of  the  country  is  so  totally  destitute  of  subsistence,  that  forage 
is  not  nearer  than  nine  miles,  and  the  soldiers  have  been  two  days  without 
bread.  I  shall  therefore  leave  aVjout  seventy  of  the  worst  wounded  cases  at 
the  New  Garden  Quaker  meeting-house,  with  proper  assistance,  and  move 
the  remainder  with  the  army  to-morrow  morning  to  Bell's  Mill.  I  hope  our 
friends  will  heartily  take  an  active  part  with  us,  to  which  I  shall  continue  to 
encourage  them ;  still  approaching  our  shipping  by  easy  marches,  that  we 
may  procure  the  necessary  supplies  for  further  operations,  and  lodge  our  sick 
and  wounded  where  proper  attention  can  be  paid  to  them. 

This  dispatch  will  be  delivered  to  your  lordship  by  my  aide-de-camp  Captain 
Brodrick,  who  is  a  vei'y  promising  officer,  and  whom  I  beg  leave  to  recom- 
mend to  your  lordship's  countenance  and  favor, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.,  CORNWALLIS. 

Total — one  lieutenant-colonel,  two  lieutenants,  two  ensigns,  thirteen  ser- 
geants, seventy-five  rank  and  file,  killed.  Two  brigadier-generals,  two  lieu- 
tenant-colonels, nine  captains,  four  lieutenants,  five  ensigns,  two  stafi"-officers, 
fifteen  sergeants,  five  drummers,  three  hundred  and  sixty-nine  rank  and  file, 
"wounded.     One  sergeant,  fifty-two  rank  and  file,  missing. 

Officers^  names  killed  and  wounded. 
Royal  artillery.  Lieutenant  O'Hara,  killed.  Brigade  of  guards,  Hon.  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Stewart,  killed;  Brigadier-Generals  O'Hara  and  Howardand 
Captain  Swanton,  wounded;  Captain  Schutz,  Maynard  and  Goodricke, 
wounded,  and  since  dead;  Captains  Lord,  Douglass,  and  Maitland;  Ensign 
Stuart  and  Adjutant  Colquhoun,  wounded.  The  twenty-third  foot,  Second 
Lieutenant  Robinson,  killed;  Captain  Peter,  wounded.     The  thirty-third  foot, 


180  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Ensign  Talbot,  killed  ;  Lieutenant-Colonel  Webster,  since  dead ;  Lieutenant 
Salvin  Wynyard,  Ensigns  Kelly,  Gore,  and  Hughes,  and  Adjutant  Fox, 
wounded.  Of  seventy-iirst  foot.  Ensign  Grant,  killed.  Of  the  regiment  of 
Bose,  Captains  Wilmous  Pry,  since  dead,  Eichenduft ;  Lieutenants  Schioner 
and  Graise,  Ensign  Detroll  (since  dead).  Of  the  British  legion,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Tarleton,  wounded.  J.  BESPARD, 

Beputy  Adjutant-General. 

It  will  doubtless  interest  the  reader  to  know  the  life,  services  and 
future  career  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  and  Colonel  Tarleton,  who  were 
so  conspicuous  in  this  State  during  the  Revolution.  They  are  here 
given  as  appropriate  to  this  work. 

Charles,  Earl  of  Cornwallis,  was  born  31st  Bee,  1738.*  He  commenced 
his  education  at  Eton,  and  completed  it  at  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge. 
He  entered  the  army,  and  served  as  aide-de-camp  to  the  Marquis  of  Granby 
in  the  German  campaign  in  1761.  On  the  death  of  his  father,  in  the  following 
year,  he  took  his  seat  in  the  House  of  Lords.  He  had  served  in  the  House  of 
'Commons,  as  a  member  for  Eye,  in  two  successive  parliaments. 

In  1770  he,  with  three  other  young  peers,  protested  with  Lord  Camden 
against  the  taxation  of  America.  Mansfield,  the  Chief  Justice,  is  said  to 
have  sneeringly  observed  :  "  Poor  Camden  could  get  only  four  boys  to  join 
him." 

Although  opposed  to  the  course  of  the  Ministry,  yet,  when  hostilities  com- 
menced, he  did  not,  as  an  officer,  scruple  to  accept  active  employment  against 
America. 

In  1777,  he  displayed  great  gallantry  at  the  battle  of  Brandywme.  He 
defeated  General  Gates  at  Camden,  in  Aug.,  1780.  His  general  orders  on 
his  march  from  the  Catawba  to  the  Ban  River,  in  1781,  do  honor  to  his 
head  as  well  as  his  heart.f  The  battle  (of  which  the  above  is  an  official 
record)  of  Guilford  was  his  last  general  engagement  in  America,  for,  at 
Yorktown,  on  19th  Oct.,  1781,  he  and  his  whole  forces,  amounting  to  more  than 
four  thousand  troops,  surrendered  to  the  American  and  French  forces  com- 
bined, under  Washington  and  Count  Rochambeau. 

Lord  Cornwallis  returned  to  England.  His  failure  in  America  did  not 
impair  his  reputation,  for  he  was  appointed  Governor  of  the  Tower,  and,  in 
1786,  honored  with  the  Order  of  the  Garter,  and  sent  to  the  East  Indies  in 
the  double  capacity  of  Governor-General  and  Commander-in-Chief.  He  was 
distinguished  in  this  elevated  position  for  his  gallantry  in  war  against  the 
Sultan  of  Mysore,  and  the  humanity  with  which  he  exercised  his  power. 
He  returned  to  England,  and,  in  consideration  of  his  eminent  services,  was 
made  a  Privy-Councillor,  created  a  Marquis  and  Master-General  of  Ordnance. 
In  1798  he  was  appointed  Lord-Lieutenant  of  Ireland,  where,  by  his  vigor, 
he  subdued  an  insurrection,  defeated  the  French  who  landed  to  support  the 
rebels,  and  by  his  policy  restored  tranquillity. 

Soon  after  he  was  sent  Plenipotentiary  to  the  Court  of  France,  and  as  such 
signed  the  Treaty  of  Amiens. 

In  1804  he  succeeded  the  Marquis  of  Wellesley  as  Governor-General  of 
India.  On  his  arrival  at  Calcutta,  his  health  failed,  and  he  died  at  Ghaze- 
poore  5th  Oct.,  1805.  He  left  one  son,  who  succeeded  to  his  title  and  estate. 
A  statue  at  Bombay  preserves  with  accuracy  his  commanding  person  and 
the  benevolent  character  of  his  countenance.  His  mind  was  not  of  superior 
brilliancy,  but  his  honor  was  unimpeached,  and  his  private  character  amiable. 

Lord  Cornwallis  in  his  person  was  short  and  thick  set,  his  hair  somewhat 
gray  ;  his  face  was  well  formed  and  agreeable.  In  his  manners  he  was  re- 
markably easy  and  affable — much  beloved  by  his  men.  J 

Banastre  Tarleton  was  born  in  Liverpool  on  21st  August,  1754.  He 
commenced  the  study  of  the  law,  but,  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  with 

*  Georgian  Era  (London),  470. 

t  See  Chapter  V.  (Lincoln),  xlvi. 

t  Watson's  Annals  ol"  Philadelphia,  ii.  29L 


GUILFORD  COUNTY.  181 

America,  exchanged  the  gown  for  the  sword.  He  was  with  Lord  Cornwallis 
in  his  whole  campaigns  in  the  South,  and  his  daring  intrepidity,  indomitahle 
energy,  and  military  ambition,  greatly  aided  if  they  did  not  secure  victory  to 
the  English  arms  at  Camden.  The  ardor  of  his  temper  and  daring  received 
a  severe  check  at  the  Cowpens,  on  17th  Jan.,  1781,  from  General  Morgan. 

The  capitulation  at  Yorktown  (Oct.  1781)  terminated  his  military  career. 

On  his  return  to  England,  he  entered  public  life  as  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Commons  from  Liverpool.  In  1818,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
General,  and,  on  the  coronation  of  George  IV.,  was  created  a  Baronet  and 
Knight  of  Bath.  He  was  a  daring  officer,  sanguinary  and  resentful  in  his 
temper. 

He  married,  in  1798,  the  daughter  of  the  Duke  of  Ancaster  and  Kestevan ; 
he  died  January  25th,  1833,  without  issue. 

Colonel  Tarleton*  was  in  person  below  the  middle  size,  stout,  strong,  heavily 
made,  large  muscular  legs,  and  uncommonly  active  in  his  movements ;  his 
complexion  dark,  his  eyes  small,  black,  and  piercing.f 

I  am  indebted  for  this  sketch,  as  also  for  that  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  to  that 
valuable  work,  Georgian  Era,  Loudon,  1833,  page  470. 


The  character  of  Rev.  David  Caldwell  is  one  of  much  interest.  No  one, 
perhaps,  of  the  whole  country,  suffered  for  his  devotion  to  liberty  as  did  this 
pure,  pious,  and  patriotic  man.  The  British,  in  the  campaign  (1781)  en- 
camped on  his  plantation,  ravaged  it,  and  burned  his  library,  not  sparing 
even  his  family  Bible. 

He  was  born  in  Lancaster  County,  Pennsylvania,  22d  March,  1725.  In 
early  life  he  was  an  apprentice  to  a  house-carpenter,  and  served  until  he  was 
of  age.  He  was  of  a  studious  disposition  and  pious  habits.  He  early  joined 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  After  being  of  age,  he  studied  with  Mr.  Smith, 
the  necessary  preparation  for  college,  entered  Princeton,  and  graduated  at 
that  renowned  institution  in  1761.  He  was  admitted  to  the  ministry,  and, 
in  1765,  was  sent  to  North  Carolina  as  a  missionary,  which  was  destined  to 
become  the  scene  of  his  labors,  the  field  of  his  usefulness,  the  home  of  his 
wife  and  children,  and  place  of  his  death.  He  married,  in  1766,  Rachel,  the 
daughter  of  Rev.  Alexander  Craighead,  of  IVIecklenburg.  He  opened  a 
classical  and  theological  school  in  Guilford.  Some  of  the  first  divines, 
statesmen,  lawyers,  and  physicians,  received  their  early  education  from  this 
excellent  man.  He  studied  medicine,  and  combined  the  two  characters  of 
divine  and  physician,  which  so  harmoniously  unite.  In  the  troubles  of  the 
country  in  1771  (the  Regulators),  Dr.  Caldwell  exercised  his  divine  office 
in  endeavoring  to  be  a  peacemaker.  At  the  very  time  that  the  battle  of 
Alamance  commenced,  he  was  using  his  earnest  endeavors  to  allay  the 
tumults  of  his  countrymen. 

His  life  and  services  have  been  recorded  in  a  work  of  much  minuteness 
and  ability  by  Rev.  E.  W.  Caruthers.  He  was  a  firm  patriot,  sincere  Christian, 
and  devoted  friend.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  at  Halifax  in 
November,  1776,  which  formed  our  State  Constitution,  and  also  a  member 
of  the  Convention  at  Hillsboro,'  21st  July,  1778,  that  met  to  consider  the 
Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  which  rejected  that  instrument.  These 
were  the  only  representative  offices  he  ever  held.  After  a  long  life  of  useful- 
ness and  honor  he  died,  August  25th,  1824. 

Alexander  Martin  was  a  resident  of  this  county.  His  father  was  a 
native  of  Tyrone  County,  Ireland,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  in  the  year 
1721,  and  settled  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  where  Alexander  was  born. 
He  received  a  liberal  education.    His  brother,  Col.  James  Martin,  was  a  resi- 

*  I  have  in  my  collection  a  perfect  gem  of  art.  A  full  length  portrait  of  this  celebrated 
officer,  after  an  original  picture  painted  by  Sir  Joshua  Reynolds,  copied  by  Thomas  Sully, 
of  Philadelphia,  when  in  London. 

■f  Watson's  Annals  of  Philadelphia,  ii.  280. 


182  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

dent  of  Stokes  County,  and  a  man  of  distinguished  ability ;  a  Colonel  of 
the  Revolution  and  father  of  the  late  Judge  James  Martin,  of  Salisbury,  who 
died  a  few  years  since  in  Mobile,  Alabama.  Another  brother,  Thomas, 
was  a  graduate  of  Princeton,  taught  school  in  Virginia,  and  became  a 
minister  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Another  brother,  Samuel,  was  in  the 
Revolutionary  army,  a  Captain  at  the  battle  of  Eutaw  ;  married  in  Mecklen- 
burg a  widow  Campbell,  and  died  in  Charlotte  with  the  influenza. 

Alexander  Martin  moved  to  Virginia,  from  thence  to  Guilford  County, 
North  Carolina,  in  the  year  of  1772,  and  was  a  representative  from  that 
county  under  the  Colonial  Assembly. 

He  was,  in  1774,  a  member  of  the  first  Assembly  of  the  representatives  of 
people  met  to  vindicate  their  rights  ;  and  again  in  1775.  In  1776,  he  was  ap- 
pointed Colonel  of  a  regiment,  in  the  continental  line,  and  marched  with  Gene- 
ral Francis  Nash,  to  the  north,  to  join  General  Washington.  He,  with  his 
regiment,  was  in  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  11th  September,  1775,  where 
Lafayette  was  wounded ;  and  was  near  him  when  he  received  the  wound.  In 
the  attack  of  Washington  on  the  British  at  Germantown,  October  4th,  1777, 
he  was  present  when  his  general,  Francis  Nash,  was  killed :  the  sketch  in 
manuscript  before  me,  by  his  brother,  describes  this  battle  with  great  preci- 
sion. The  wound  which  General  Nash  received  was  from  a  cannon  ball, 
which  took  away  most  part  of  his  right  hip  bone. 

The  war  being  over,  he  resigned  his  commission  and  was  elected  again  to 
the  General  Assembly,  and  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the  Senate. 

In  1782,  he  was  elected  Governor  of  the  State,  and  again  in  1789. 

He  was  a  man  of  letters,  and,  for  a  time,  at  Princeton  College.  He  was 
vain  of  his  attainments,  and  ambitious  of  literary  renown.  He  has  left 
several  manuscripts  in  prose  and  some  in  poetry.  His  ode  on  the  death  of 
General  Francis  Nash  of  this  State,  who  fell  at  Germantown  on  4th  October, 
1777,  and  lines  on  the  death  of  Governor  Caswell,  who  died  at  Fayetteville, 
10th  November,  1789,  while  Speaker  of  the  Senate,  have  been  published, 
in  the  North  Carolina  University  Magazine,  and  may  be  considered  as  more 
patriotic  than  poetic. 

In  1793,  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws  was  conferred  upon  him  by  the  Col- 
lege of  New  Jersey. 

He  was  the  firm  friend  of  our  University  and  one  of  the  trustees,  from 
1790  to  his  death.  The  claims  of  the  University  were  earnestly  pressed  upon 
the  consideration  of  the  General  Assembly,  in  his  message  as  Governor,  in 
1790. 

We  have  had  under  examination  a  manuscript  of  sixty-seven  pages,  de- 
posited, as  stated  on  the  first  page,  in  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State  at 
Raleigh,  by  Governor  Martin  ;  "  Letters  of  the  Hon.  Alexander  Spotswood, 
late  Governor  of  Virginia,  respecting  the  affairs  of  North  Carolina,  addressed 
to  the  Ministry  of  the  late  Queen  Anne,"  extracted  from  his  letter  book  in 
MS.,"  which  has  been  of  much  service  and  is  of  deep  interest. 

When  Governor  Burke,  in  1781,  was  captured  by  the  Tory  Fannen,  and 
carried  to  Charleston,  where  he  was  held  as  a  prisoner,  Alexander  Martin, 
as  President  of  the  Senate,  and  by  virtue  of  his  office,  acted  as  Governor  of 
the  State.  He  was  elected  to  succeed  Governor  Burke  in  1782,  and  after 
serving  his  term  out,  was  succeeded  by  Richard  Caswell  on  his  second  term. 
In  1789  he  was  again  elected  Governor.  So  that  he  was,  in  fact,  three  several 
terms  elected  Governor  of  the  State. 

He  conducted  the  affairs  of  the  State  in  a  troubled  and  perilous  period  with 
great  dignity,  unswerving  fidelity,  and  scrupulous  integrity. 

After  serving  his  third  term  as  Governor,  he  was,  in  1793,  elected  Senator 
in  Congress,  which  elevated  post  he  held  until  1799. 

He  lived  at  Danbury,  on  Dan  River,  in  Rockingham,  in  affluence,  and  open- 
handed  hospitality,  and  he  died  in  1807,  without  legitimate  issue,  having 
never  been  married. 

John  Motly  Morehead  is  a  resident  of  this  County ;  he  was  born  near 
Rockingham  County,  4th  July,  1798;  educated  by  Rev.  David  Caldwell,  and 


GUILFORD  COUNTY. 


183 


graduated  in  1817,  at  the  University.  He  studied  law,  and  practiced  the  pro- 
fession for  many  years  with  great  success. 

In  1821  he  represented  llockingham  in  the  House  of  Commons.  He  moved 
to  Guilford,  and  represented  this  county  in  the  House  of  Commons,  in  1826 
and  1827. 

In  1841  he  was  elected  Governor,  over  Hon.  R.  M.  Saunders,  and  was  again 
re-elected. 

It  was  Governor  Morehead's  fortune  to  run  his  political  career  in  heated 
party  times ;  in  the  ardor  of  his  temper  he  might  sometimes  have 

"Given  to  party  what  was  meant  for  mankind." 

He  is  now  President  of  the  Central  Railroad,  a  position  of  great  responsi- 
bility. 

Hon.  John  M.  Dick  is  also  a  resident  and  native  of  this  County;  he  was 
born  about  1791. 

In  1829  elected  Senator  from  Guilford,  and  again  in  1830. 

In  1832  he  was  elected  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  and  Equity, 
which  position  he  now  holds. 

Members  of  Assembly  from  Guilford  County : — 


Years. 

1777. 

1778. 
1779. 
1780. 
1781. 
1782. 
1783. 
1784. 
1785. 
1786. 
1787. 
1788. 
1789. 
1790. 
1791. 
1792. 
1793. 
1794. 
1795. 
1796. 
1797. 
1798. 
1799. 
1800. 
1801. 
1802. 
1803. 
1804. 
1805. 
1806. 
1807. 
1808. 
1809. 
1810. 
1811. 
1812. 
1813. 
1814. 


Senators. 

Ralph  Gorrell, 
Ralph  Gorrell, 
Alexander  Martin, 
Alexander  Martin, 
Alexander  Martin, 
Alexander  Martin, 
Charles  Bruce, 
James  Galloway, 
Alexander  Martin, 
William  Gowdy, 
Alexander  Martin, 
Alexander  Martin, 
William  Gowdy, 
Daniel  Gillespie, 
Daniel  Gillespie, 
Daniel  Gillespie, 
Daniel  Gillespie, 
Daniel  Gillespie, 
Daniel  Gillespie, 
Ralph  Gorrell, 
Hance  McCain, 
Hance  McCain, 
Hance  Hamilton, 
Hance  Hamilton, 
Samuel  Lindsay, 
George  Bruce, 
Samuel  Lindsay, 
Samuel  Lindsay, 
Hance  McCain, 
Hance  McCain, 
Jonathan  Parker, 
Jonathan  Parker, 
Jonathan  Parker, 
Samuel  Lindsay, 
Jonathan  Parker, 
Jonathan  Parker, 
Jonathan  Parker, 
Jonathan  Parker, 


Members  of  House  of  Commons. 

John  Collier,  Robert  Lindsay. 
James  Hunter,  Robert  Lindsay. 
James  Hunter,  Daniel  Gillespie. 
James  Hunter,  William  Gowdy. 
William  Gowdy,  James  Hunter. 
William  Gowdy,  James  Hunter. 
James  Galloway,  John  Leak. 
John  Hamilton,  John  Leak. 
John  Hamilton,  Barzellai  Gardner. 
John  Hamilton,  B.  Gardner. 
B.  Gardner,  William  Gowdy. 
John  Hamilton,  William  Gowdy. 
John  Hamilton,  Daniel  Gillespie. 
Hance  Hamilton,  Robert  Hannah. 
Robert  Hannah,  B.  Gardner. 
Robert  Hannah,  B.  Gardner. 
R.  Hannah,  B.  Gardner. 
B.  Gardner,  Robert  Hannah. 
Hance  Hamilton,  Hance  McCain. 
B.  Gardner,  Hance  Hamilton. 
Hance  Hamilton,  Samuel  Lindsay. 
Samuel  Lindsay,  George  Bruce. 
Samuel  Lindsay,  George  Bruce. 
Samuel  Lindsay,  Jonathan  Parker. 
George  Bruce,  Jonathan  Parker. 
Zaza  Brashier,  Jonathan  Parker. 
John  Moore,  .Jonathan  Parker. 
Jonathan  Parker,  Zaza  Brashier. 
Z.  Brashier,  Richard  Mendenhall. 
Z.  Brashier,  Richard  Mendenhall. 
Robert  Hannah,  John  Howell. 
Robert  Hannah,  John  Howell. 
Robert  Hannah,  John  Howell. 
Robert  Hannah,  William  Armfield. 
Robert  Hannah,  John  Howell. 
John  Howell,  Robert  Lindsay. 
Obed  Macey,  James  Gibson. 
James  Gibson,  James  McNairy. 


21 


184 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senators. 

1815.  Jonathan  Parker, 

1816.  John  Caldwell, 

1817.  John  Caldwell, 

1818.  John  Caldwell, 

1819.  John  M.  Dick, 

1820.  John  W.  Caldwell, 

1821.  Jonathan  Parker, 

1822.  Jonathan  Parker, 

1823.  Jonathan  Parker, 

1824.  Jonathan  Parker, 

1825.  Jonathan  Parker, 

1826.  Jonathan  Parker, 

1827.  Jonathan  Parker, 

1828.  Jonathan  Parker, 

1829.  John  M.  Dick, 

1830.  John  M.  Dick, 

1831.  John  M.  Dick, 

1832.  Jonathan  Parker, 

1833.  Geo.  C.  Mendenhall, 

1834.  Jonathan  Parker, 

1835.  Jas.  T.  Morehead, 

1836.  Jas.  T.  Morehead, 

1838.  Jas.  T.  Morehead, 

1840.  Jas.  T.  Morehead, 

1842.  Jas.  T.  Morehead, 

1844.  Jesse  H.  Lindsay, 

1846.  John  A.  Gilmer, 

1848.  John  A.  Gilmer, 

1850.  John  A.  Gilmer, 


Members  of  House  of  Commons. 
John  Howell,  James  McNairy. 
James  McNairy,  William  Ryan. 
William  Ryan,  Robert  Donnell. 
James  McNairy,  William  Ryan. 
R.  Donnell,  William  Dickey. 
John  Rankin,  David  Worth. 
John  Gordon,  William  Adams. 
Samuel  Hunter,  David  Worth. 
Samuel  Hunter,  David  Worth. 
William  Unthank,  James  Neally. 
F.  L.  Simpson,  William  Unthank. 
F.  L.  Simpson,  John  M.  Morehead. 
F.  L.  Simpson,  John  M.  Morehead. 
F.  L.  Simpson,  Geo.  C.  Mendenhall. 
Geo.  C.  Mendenhall,  F.  L.  Simpson. 
Allen  Peeples,  Geo.  C.  Mendenhall. 
Amos  Weaver,*  Allen  Peeples, 
Allen  Peeples,  David  Thomas. 
David  Thomas,  Allen  Peeples. 
Ralph  Gorrell,  Jesse  H.  Lindsay. 
Jesse  H.  Lindsay,  Ralph  Gorrell. 
Jesse  H.  Lindsay,  Peter  Adams,  F. 

L.  Simpson. 
Jesse   H.    Lindsay,   William  Doak, 

David  Thomas. 
Geo.  C.  Mendenhall,  William  Doak, 

Jas.  Brannock. 
Geo.  C.  Mendenhall,  William  Doak, 

Joel  McLean. 
William  Doak,  Joel  McLean,  John 

A.  Smith. 
Nathan  Hunt,  E.  W.  Ogburne,  Peter 

Adams. 
David  F.  Caldwell,  Calvin  Johnson, 

Jas.  W.  Doak. 
David  F.  Caldwell,  Calvin  Hender- 
son Wiley,  Peter  Adams. 


CHAPTER    XXXVI. 


HALIFAX  COUNTY. 


Origin  of  name — Date  of  formation — Population  and  products — Its  capital — 
Colonial  and  Revolutionary  history — Its  distinguished  citizens,  Willie 
.Jones,  William  R.  Davie,  John  B.  Ashe,  Willis  Allston,  Joseph  J.  Daniel, 
Ilutchins  J.  Burton,  John  Branch,  B.  F.  Moore,  Jesse  A.  Bynum,  and 
others — Members  of  the  town  and  county  of  Halifax  from  1777  to  1851, 

Halifax  County  was  formed  in  1758  from  Edgecombe  County  ; 
and  in  this  year  the  com't  house  for  the  counties  of  Edgecombe, 


*  Amos  Weaver  was  returned,  but  his  seat  was  vacated  under  the  31st  section  of  the 
Constitution. 


,  HALIFAX  COUNTY.  185 

Granville,  and  Northampton  was  moved  from  Enfield  to  the  town 
of  Halifax.* 

It  derives  its  name  from  the  Earl  of  Halifax,  who,  in  1758,  was 
the  first  Lord  of  the  Board  of  Trade.  "  It  is  a  name  of  Saxon 
origin,  and  means  '  holy  hair,'  from  the  sacred  hair  of  a  certain 
virgin,  whom  a  clerk  beheaded,  because  she  resisted  his  passion. 
She  was  canonized. "f  It  is  situated  in  the  north-eastern  part  of 
the  State,  and  bounded  on  the  north  and  east  by  the  Koanoke  River, 
which  separates  it  from  Northampton  County ;  on  the  south  by 
Martin,  Edgecombe,  and  Nash  Counties;  and  the  west  by  the 
County  of  Warren.  Its  capital  town  is  Halifax,  which  is  beautifully 
located  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Roanoke  River,  navigable  for  steam 
and  other  boats,  and  distant  from  Raleigh  eighty-seven  miles. 

Its  population,  5,763  whites  ;  8,954  slaves ;  1,872  free  negroes  ;  13,007  re- 
presentative population. 

Its  products,  2,905,573  lbs.  cotton  ;  15,750  lbs.  wool ;  609,325  bushels  corn  ; 
147,216  lbs.  tobacco;  11,230  bushels  wheat;  72,032  bushels  oats  ;  4,886  bbls.  _ 
turpentine. 

The  County  of  Halifax,  in  its  early  history,  is  distinguished  for 

its  devotion  to  liberty,  and  for  the  patriotism  of  her  sons. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  Halifax  County,  Dec.  21st, 
1774,  present,  William  Jones,  Chairman  ;  Nicholas  Long,  John  Bradford, 
James  Ilogan,  Benjamin  McCullock,  Joseph  John  Williams,  William  Alston, 
Egbert  Haywood,  David  Sumner,  Samuel  Weldon,  and  Thomas  Ilaynes. 

It  is  represented  that  Andrew  Milkr,  a  merchant  in  Halifax  town,  refused 
to  sign  the  Association. 

Ordered  that  Mr.  Haywood  and  Mr.  Haynes  desire  his  attendance  before 
the  committee. 

Upon  which  he  attended  and  refused  to  sign,  and  gave  as  reasons  that  he 
owed  persons  in  England;  to  be  bound  not  to  export  any  commodity  to  Eng- 
land after  1st  September  next,  would  be  unjust,  and  therefore  he  declined 
signing  that  part  of  the  Association  respecting  a  non-importation  to  Britain. 

It  was  resolved  unanimously,  "  That  this  Committee  will  not  purchase  any 
goods  or  wares  from  said  Miller,  or  any  person  connected  with  him,  and  we 
recommend  the  same  course  to  the  people  of  this  country,  and  to  all  who  wish 
well  to  their  country.''^ 

To  that  convention  of  patriots  that  assembled  at  Newbern  on  August  25th, 
1774,  she  sent,  as  delegates,  Nicholas  Long,  and  Wilie  Jones. 

To  the  Assembly  at  the  same  place,  in  April,  1775,  she  sent  the  same  and 
Benjamin  McCullock. 

To  the  Assembly  at  Hillsboro',  Aug.  21st,  1775,  she  sent  as  delegates  Nicho- 
las Long,  James  Hog  an,  David  Sumner,  John  Webb,  and  John  Geddv. 

To  the  Assembly  in  Halifax,  April  4th,  1776,  she  sent  John  Bradford, 
James  Hogan,  David  Sumner,  Joseph  John  Williams,  Willis  Alston,  and 
Wilie  Jones,  from  the  town,  which  bod};^  placed  our  State  in  military  organ- 
ization, and  by  whom  Allen  Jones  was  appointed  Brigadier-General  of  Hali- 
fax District;  Willis  Alston,  Colonel ;  David  Sumner,  Lieutenant-Colonel; 
James  Hogan,  1st  Major  ;  Samuel  Weldon,  2d  Major  of  Halifax  Regiment. 

To  the  Congress  which  met  at  Halifax,  Nov.  12th,  1776,  which  formed  a 
Constitution,  John  Bradford,  James  Hogan,  Willis  Alston,  Samuel  Weldon, 
Benjamin  McCullock,  and  Wilie  Jones,  from  the  town  of  Halifax,  were 
delegates. 

This  ancient  borough  has  the  honor  of  being  the  birthplace  of 

*  Martin's  History  of  North  Carolina,  vol.  ii.  p.  95. 

t  See  Baily's  Dictionary. 

I  American  Archives,  by  Peter  Force,  4th  series,  vol.  i.  p.  1055. 


186  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

our  Constitution,  and  the  fir.st  place  in  North  Carolina  where  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  declared  at  Philadelphia  (July  4th, 
1776),  "was  first  celebrated.* 

That  the  spirit  of  patriotism  was  not  confined  to  the  men  alone  is  a  matter 
of  history.  Mrs.  Ellet,  in  her  Women  of  the  Revolution,  has  recorded  the 
names  of  Mrs.  AVilie  Jones,  Mrs.  Allen  Jones,  and  Mrs.  Nicholas  Long,  whose 
patriotic  zeal,  noble  spirit,  and  devotion  to  the  country,  gave  a  tone  to  public 
sentiment  in  the  days  of  '76. 

Mrs.  WiLiE  JoxES  was  a  daughter  of  Colonel  Montfort,  and  combined  with 
much  personal  beauty,  great  brilliancy  of  wit,  and  suavity  of  manners.  One 
of  her  acquaintances  says,  that  "  she  was  the  only  person,  with  whom  he  was 
ever  acquainted,  that  was  loved,  devotedly,  enthusiastically  loved,  by  every 
human  being  who  knew  her." 

When  the  Army,  under  Lord  Cornwallis,  marched  from  Wilmington  to  Vir- 
ginia, in  1781,  thej'^  remained  for  some  days  on  the  banks  of  the  Roanoke,  and 
the  English  officers  quartered  among  the  femilies  in  the  town.  Tradition 
attributes  to  Mrs.  Jones,  a  passage  of  wit  between  her  aud  Colonel  Tarleton, 
who  was  wounded,  at  the  Cowpens,  in  the  hand  by  a  sabre  cut,  by  the  sword 
of  Colonel  William  Washington.  On  Tarleton,  in  her  presence,  speaking  of 
Washington  in  opprobrious  terms,  as  an  illiterate,  ignorant  fellow,  hardly 
able  to  write  his  name,  "  Ah !  Colonel,  you  ought  to  know  better,  for  you 
bear  on  -vour  person  proof  that  he  knows  verytoell  how  to  make  his  mark." 

On  another  occasion  her  sister,  Mrs.  Ashe,  at  whose  house  Leslie  and  other 
officers  were  quartered,  Colonel  Tarleton  indulged  in  the  same  sarcastic  tone, 
stating  that  he  "  would  be  happy  to  see  Colonel  Washington,"  for  he  had  under 
stood  he  was  diminutive  and  ungainly  in  person.  Mrs.  Ashe  replied,  "If 
you  had  looked  behind  you,  Colonel  Tarleton,  at  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens,  you 
tt'Oidd  have  enjoyed  that  pleasure." 

This  was  too  much  to  the  already  chafed  officer ;  his  hand  involuntarily 
grasped  the  hilt  of  his  sword.  At  this  moment  General  Leslie  entered  the 
room,  and  observing  his  Colonel  very  angry,  and  the  lady  agitated,  he  inquired 
of  her  the  cause  of  her  emotion.  She  explained  the  cause,  to  which  the 
gallant  General  said,  with  a  smile:  "  Say  what  you  please,  Mrs.  Ashe,  Colo- 
nel Tarleton  knows  better  than  to  insult  a  lady  in  my  presence." 

Mrs.  WiLiE  Jones  died  in  1828,  leaving  five  children,  two  of  whom  now 
reside  in  Xorth  Carolina. 

Mns.  Allen  Jones  was  a  Miss  Edwards,  and  the  sister  of  Isaac  Edwards, 
the  English  Secretary  of  Gov.  Tryon.  She  died  soon  after  the  Revolution, 
leaving  one  daughter,  who  married  a  son  of  Mrs.  Nicholas  Long. 

Mrs.  Long  was  a  Miss  McKinny.  Her  husband.  Col.  Nicholas  Long,  was 
Commissary-General  of  the  North  Carolina  forces.  She  was  a  woman  of  great 
energy  of  mind  and  body,  and  high  mental  endowments.  She  died  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty,  leaving  a  numerous  oiFspring.  Her  virtues  and 
patriotism  were  the  themes  of  the  praise  and  admiration  of  the  officers  of 
the  army  of  both  parties. 

I  extract  from  the  People's  and  Rowitt's  Journal,  the  following  incident 
of  Miss  Bishop,  afterwards  Mrs.  Powell. 

"  On  the  march  of  the  British  army  from  Wilmington  to  Virginia,  in  1781, 
Col.  Tarleton,  near  'Twanky  Chapel,'  in  Halifax  County,  either  from  a  scar- 
city of  provisions  or  from  a  malicious  desire  to  destroy  the  property  of  the 
American  citizens  who  were  opposed  to  the  British,  caught  all  the  horses, 
cattle,  hogs,  and  even  fowls  that  he  could  lay  hands  on,  and  destroyed  or 
appropriated  them  to  his  own  use.  The  male,  and  most  of  the  female  inhabi- 
tants of  the  country  fled  from  the  approach  of  the  British  troops,  and  hid 
themselves  in  the  swamps  and  forests  adjacent ;  and,  when  they  passed 
throuo-h  the  upper  part  of  the  country,  while  every  one  else  left  the  premises 

*  Vol.  i.  page  83. 


HALIFAX  COUNTY.  187 

on  whicli  she  lived,  Mrs.  Powell  (then  Miss  Bishop)  'stood  her  ground/ 
and  fiiccd  the  foe  fearlessly.  But  it  would  not  do ;  they  took  their  horses  and 
cattle,  and  among  the  former,  a  favorite  pony  of  her  own,  and  drove  them  off 
to  the  camp,  which  was  about  a  mile  distant.  Young  as  she  was,  she  deter- 
mined to  have  her  pony  again,  and  she  must  necessarily  go  to  the  British 
camp,  and  go  alone,  as  no  one  would  accompany  her.  And  alone  she  went,  on 
foot,  at  night,  and  without  any  weapon  of  defence,  and  in  due  time  arrived  at 
the  British  camp.  By  what  means  she  managed  to  gain  an  audience  with 
Tarleton  is  not  known  ;  but  she  appeared  before  him  unannounced,  and  raising 
herself  erect,  said,  '  I  have  come  to  you,  sir,  to  demand  restoration  of  my  pro- 
perty, which  your  knavish  fellows  stole  from  my  father's  yard.'  '  Let  me  under- 
stand you,  Miss,'  replied  Tarleton,  taken  completely  by  surprise.  '  Well,  sir," 
said  she,  '  your  roguish  men  in  red  coats  came  to  my  father's  yard  about 
sundown,  and  stole  my  pony,  and  I  have  walked  here,  alone  and  unprotected, 
to  claim  and  demand  him ;  and  sir,  I  must  and  will  have  him._  I  fear  not  your 
men:  they  are  base  and  unprincipled  enough  to  dare  to  offer  insult  to  any  un- 
protected female  ;  but  their  cowardly  hearts  will  prevent  them  doing  her  bodily 
injury.'  And,  just  then,  by  the  light  of  a  camp  fire,  espying  her  own  dear 
little  pet  pony  at  a  distance,  she  continued,  '  There,  sir,  is  my  horse,  I  shall 
mount  him  and  ride  peaceably  home  ;  and  if  you  have  any  of  the  gentlemanly 
feeling  within  you  of  which  your  men  are  totally  destitute,  or  if  you  have  any 
regard  for  their  safety,  you  will  see,  sir,  that  I  am  not  interrupted.  But  before 
I  go  I  wish  to  say  to  you,  that  he  who  can,  and  will  not  prevent  this  base  and 
cowardly  stealing  from  henroosts,  stables,  and  barn-yards,  is  no  better,  inniy 
estimation,  than  the  mean,  good-for-nothing,  guilty  wretches  who  do  the  dirty 
work  with  their  own  hands  !  Good  night,  sir.'  And,  without  waiting  further, 
she  took  her  pony  uninterrupted,  and  galloped  safely  home ;  Tarleton  was 
so  much  astounded  that  he  ordered  that  she  should  be  permitted  to  do  as  she 
chose. 

Mrs.  Powell  died  in  her  native  country,  in  1840,  after  she  had  attained 
a  green  old  age.  One  of  her  grandchildren,  William  S.  Parker,  volunteered 
in°the  JMexican  war,  and  died  at  Ceralvo,  in  Mexico.  Another,  Richard  B.  Par- 
ker, is  residing  in  Halifax  County,  N.  C,  a  most  respectable  and  worthy  citizen. 
And  a  grand-daughter,  Mrs.  MaryE.  Sledge,  wife  of  W.  T.  Sledge,  and  sister 
of  the  two  first  named  gentlemen,  also  lives  in  Halifax  County,  besides  other 
relations,  who  all,  no  doubt,  do  justice  to  her  memory;  but  others  should  do 
likewise,  for  she  was  one  of  the  noble  spirits  of  the  '  times  that  tried  men's  souls.' 

Dr.  Rush,  in  his  work  on  the  Mind,  makes  the  observation,  that  he  never  knew 
or  read  of  a  distinguished  man,  whose  mother  was  not  an  intelligent  woman. 
We  often  see  that  distinguished  men  have  ordinary  children  born  to  their 
name,  but  rarely  active,  intelligent  women. 

Sprung  from  such  women,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  that  the  people  of 
Ilalifixs  were  patriotic,  independent,  and  self-sacrificing.  This_  feeling  was 
roused  into  unconquerable  resistance  by  the  conduct  of  the  British  govern- 
ment, and  no  portion  of  our  State  was  more  "  fixed  and  forward"  in  the 
cause  of  liberty.  This  called  down  upon  them  the  weight  of  British  oppres- 
sion. The  historian  of  the  army  of  Cornwallis  is  compelled  to  say  that, 
"At  Halifax,  some  enormities  were  committed  by  the  British,  that  were  a 
disgrace  to  the  name  of  man."*  Tarleton  states  that,  "  A  sergeant  and  a 
dragoon  were  executed  at  Halifax,  for  rape  and  robbery."! 

At  Swift  Creek,  Fishing  Creek,  and  at  Halifax  Town,  detached  parties  of 
the  Americans  made  unsuccessful  attacks  on  the  British,  but  were  repulsed 
without  loss. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1781,  Cornwallis  crossed  the  Roanoke  River,  with 
the  British  Army,  at  Hrdifas,  and  proceeded  by  way  of  Hicksford,  and  effected 
a  junction  with  the  main  body  of  the  British  araiy,  at  Petersburg,  under 
General  Phillips,  who  about  this  time  died,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  no- 
torious General  Benedict  Arnold. 

*  Stedman,  ii.  385. 

t  Tarletoii's  Campaigns,  1780-81,  ia  the  Southern  Provinces  of  North  America. 


188  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

WiLiE  Jo>fES,  and  his  brother  Allen,  were  distinguished  as  firm  and  de- 
termined friends  of  the  country  in  her  struggles  for  freedom.  Wilie  Jones 
resided  in  Halifax,  and  Allen  Jones  in  Northampton.  On  every  and  all 
occasions,  when  their  country  called  for  their  services,  they  were  prompt  and 
willing.  Shoulder  to  shoulder,  they  contended  for  her  liberties,  and  both 
were  distinguished  members  of  the  State  Congress  which  formed  our  Consti- 
tution, and  members  of  the  committee  that  drew  its  forms.  Wilie  Jones  has 
been  recorded  as  a  scholar  and  statesman.  lie  was  not  distinguished  so  much 
as  an  orator  as  for  his  efficient  business  habits.  In  the  language  of  one  of 
his  cotemporaries,  "  he  could  draw  a  bill  in  better  language  than  any  other 
man  of  his  day." 

He  was  President  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  whole  State,  in  1776, 
which  officer  was  virtually  Governor  of  the  State,  in  the  interregnum  between 
the  abdication  of  Governor  Martin,  the  last  of  the  Royal  Governors,  and  the 
accession  of  Governor  Caswell. 

He  succeeded  his  brother  General  Allen  Jones,  as  a  member  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress  which  met  at  Philadelphia  in  1780,  and  served  until  1781. 

He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Convention  which  assembled  at  Philadel- 
phia on  the  second  Monday  in  May,  1787,  of  which  General  Washington  was 
President,  which  formed  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  but  he  de- 
clined the  appointment.  Dr.  Hugh  AYilliamson  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Caswell  to  supply  his  place. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  that  met  at  Hillsboro'  21st  July,  1788, 
to  deliberate  upon  the  Federal  Constitution.  The  journals  of  that  Convention 
have  been  preserved  for  us. 

In  politics  as  in  war,  strategy  is  often  used.  Wilie  Jones,  Judge  Spencer, 
Piev.  David  Caldwell,  General  Joseph  McDowell,  and  others,  were  leaders  of 
the  opposition,  and  conscious  of  their  numerical  strength,  as  well  as  of  the 
intellectual  powers  of  its  eloquent  and  talented  advocates,  Johnston,  Iredell, 
Davie  and  others,  they  maintained  a  sullen  and  portentous  silence.  They  forced 
its  friends  to  the  unenviable  position  of  imagining  the  grounds  of  opposition, 
and  then  defending  the  Constitution.  The  advantages  of  this  position  were  gi-eat. 

On  the  third  day  of  the  session,  the  President  (Samuel  Johnston,  then 
Governor  of  the  State)  laid  before  the  Convention  an  official  copy  of  the  Con- 
stitution, with  accompanying  documents.  Mr.  Wilie  Jones  moved  that  the 
question  upon  the  Constitution  be  taken  without  debate,  and  be  put  imme- 
diately. This  was  opposed  by  Mr.  Iredell,  Mr.  Davie,  and  others.  Such 
however,  was  the  tact  of  Mr.  Jones,  that  the  learning  of  Ii*edell,  the  eloquence 
of  Davie,  the  intellectual  power  of  Johnston,  availed  but  little. 

The  Convention,  by  a  vote  of  184  to  84,  rejected  the  instrument.  North 
Carolina,  placed  upon  her  sovereign  rights,  remained  out  of  the  Union.  On 
the  third  Monday  in  November,  1789,  another  Convention  assembled  at  Fay- 
etteville,  to  consider  the  Constitution,  and  by  this  Convention  it  was  adopted. 

Wilie  Jones  was  for  several  years  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons. 
He  married  a  daughter  of  Colonel  Montford,  and  died  near  Raleigh,  where  he 
now  lies  buried,  at  the  seat  now  owned  by  Matthew  Shaw,  Esq.,  leaving  five 
children. 

William  Richardson  Davie  was  long  a  resident  of  Halifax  County,  which 
he  represented  for  many  years  in  the  Legislature. 

He  was  born  in  Egremont,  near  White  Haven,  in  England,  on  the  20th  of 
June,  1756.  When  only  five  years  of  age,  his  father,  Archibald  Davie,  brought 
him  to  America,  and  he  was  adopted  by  his  maternal  uncle,  Rev.  William 
Richardson,  who  resided  on  the  Catawba  River  in  South  Carolina. 

He  was  sent  to  an  academy  in  Charlotte,  where  he  was  prepared  for  College. 

He  entered  Princeton  College,  where  by  his  application  and  genius  he  at- 
tained the  reputation  of  an  excellent  student.  But  the  din  of  arms  disturbed 
these  quiet  shades,  and  Davie  exchanged  the  gown  for  the  sword.  The 
studies  of  the  College  were  closed,  and  Davie  joined  the  army  of  his  country 
in  the  summer  of  1776,  and  served  as  a  volunteer  in  the  army  at  the  north. 
The  campaign  over  he  returned  again  to  College,  and  graduated  in  the  fall 
of  that  year  with  the  first  honors  of  the  Institution. 


HALIFAX  COUNTY.  189 

lie  returned  to  North  Carolina  and  commenced  the  study  of  the  law  in 
Salisbury,  but  the  eventful  struggle  for  life  and  liberty  then  going  on,  did  not 
allow  his  spirit  to  repose  while  his  country  was  in  danger.  He  induced  a 
worthy  and  influential  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Barnett  to  raise  a  troop  of 
horse,  and  in  this  troop  Barnett  was  elected  captain,  and  Davie  lieutenant. 
His  commissiou  is  signed  by  Eichard  Caswell,  and  dated  5th  April,  1779. 

The  company  joined  the  southern  army,  and  attached  to  Pulaski's  Legion. 
His  gallantry  and  assiduity  was  so  great  that  he  soon  rose  to  the  rank  of 
major. 

At  the  battle  of  Stono  (20th  June,  1779),  Davie  witnessed  the  'first  severe 
conflict  of  arms,  and  was  seriously  wounded  in  the  thigh,  which  laid  him  up 
in  the  hospital  at  Charleston  for  some  time,  and  narrowly  escaped  with  his 
life. 

In  receiving  a  heavy  charge  of  cavalry  from  the  enemy,  which  broke  the 
line  of  our  troops,  Major  Davie  received  a  wound  which  caused  him  to  fall 
from  his  horse.  He  still  held  the  bridle,  but  he  was  so  severely  wounded, 
that  after  repeated  efforts,  he  could  not  re-mount.  The  enemy  was  now  upon 
him.  In  a  moment  more  the  wounded  oSicer  had  been  a  prisoner.  A  private, 
whose  horse  had  been  killed,  and  who  was  reti-eating,  saw  the  imminent  dan- 
ger of  his  gallant  officer,  and  returned  at  the  risk  of  his  life,  for  the  enemy  was 
within  twenty  steps.  With  great  composure  he  raised  Major  Davie  on  his 
horse,  and  slowly  and  safely  led  him  from  the  bloody  field.  An  action  of 
courage  worthy  of  Rome  in  her  palmiest  day.  In  the  haste  of  the  retreat, 
after  depositing  the  Major  in  safety,  this  soldier  disappeared. 

Major  Davie  made  frequent  inquiry  for  his  preserver,  to  evince  his'gratitude 
to  him  and  his  family  for  his  timely  and  heroic  aid.  But  in  vain.  At  the 
siege  of  Ninety-six,  when  Davie  was  acting  as  Commissary-General  to  the' 
southern  army,  on  the  morning  of  the  attack,  a  soldier  came  to  Davie's  tent, 
and  made  himself  known  as  the  man  who  had  aided  him  at  Stono.  He  pro- 
mised to  call  again.  But  he  fell  in  battle,  and  Davie  could  only  show  to  his 
lifeless  remains  that  gratitude  that  had  his  life  been  spared  would  have  been 
more  substantial  and  munificent. 

After  his  recovery  he  returned  to  Salisbury  and  resumed  his  books.  In 
1780  he  obtained  his  license  to  practice.  But  the  camp  rather  than  the  court 
house  still  demanded  his  talents  and  services. 

In  the  winter  of  that  year,  he  obtained  authority  from  the  General  Assembly 
of  North  Carolina  to  raise  a  troop  of  cavalry,  and  two  companies  of  mounted 
infantry.  But  the  authority  only  was  granted — the  State  was  too  poor  to 
grant  the  means — and  Major  Davie,  Avith  a  patriotism  worthy  of  eternal 
record,  disposed  of  the  estate  acquired  from  his  uncle,  and  raised  funds  to 
equip  the  troops.  With  this  force  he  proceeded  to  the  south-western  portion 
of  the  State,  and  protected  it  from  the  predatory  incursions  of  the  Britisli 
and  Tories. 

Charleston  surrendered  to  the  British  army  12th  of  May,  1780.  Tarleton's 
attack  on  and  butchery  of  Buford,  at  Waxhaw,  forty  miles  from  Charlotte, 
was  on  the  29th.  This  completed  the  conquest  of  South  Carolina.  Georgia 
was  regarded,  and  was,  in  fact,  a  conquered  province. 

Brigadier-General  Rutherford  ordered  out  the  militia  in  mass,  to  obstruct 
the  advance  of  the  conquerors.  This  patriotic  region  heard  and  obeyed  the 
call.  On  the  3d  June,  1780,  nine  hundred  men  were  assembled  at  Charlotte 
ready  to  defend  their  country.  The  intelligence  was  received  that  Tarleton 
and  the  British  had  retrograded  to  Camden.  The  militia  were  reviewed  by 
General  Rutherford,  and  harangued  by  Rev.  Dr.  McWhorter,  President  of  the 
College  at  Charlotte,  and  then  dismissed  by  the  General,  directing  them  to 
keep  the  arms  in  readiness  at  a  moment's  warning. 

Lord  Rawdon  with  the  British  advanced  to  Waxhaw  Creek.  General 
Rutherford  issued  on  the  10th  his  orders  for  the  militia  to  rendezvous  at  Mc- 
Ree's  plantation,  eighteen  miles  north-east  of  Charlotte.  The  orders  were 
obeyed,  and  on  the  12th,  eight  hundred  men  in  arms  were  on  the  ground. 
On  the  14th  the  troops  were  organized.  The  cavalry  under  Major  Davie  was 
formed  into  two  troops,  under  Captains  Lemmonds  and  Martin;  a  corps  of 


190  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

light  infantry  (three  hundred)  placed  under  Colonel  "William  P.  Davidson,  a 
regular  officer,  and  the  balance  under  the  immediate  command  of  General 
Rutherford. 

On  this  evening  it  was  reported  that  the  Tories  had  assembled  in  strong 
force  under  Col.  Moore  at  Ramsour's  Mill,  near  -where  the  town  of  Lincoln- 
ton  now  stands  ;  and  Gen.  Rutherford  issued  his  orders  to  Col.  Francis 
Locke,  Captains  Falls  and  Brandon  of  Rowan,  and  to  Major  David  Wilson,  of 
Mecklenbui'g,  and  to  other  officers,  to  raise  men,  attack  and  disperse  them. 
He  deemed  his  own  force  important  to  check  the  advance  of  the  British  from 
Camden,  and  did  not  wish  to  reduce  it  by  any  detachment. 

On  the  15th  General  Ruthei-ford  marched  within  two  miles  of  Charlotte. 
Here  he  learned  that  Lord  Rawdon  had  retrograded  to  Camden.  It  was  then 
he  resolved  to  advance  on  the  Tories,  who,  it  was  now  well  known,  were  as- 
sembled, about  1300,  at  Ramsour's  Mill.  On  Sunday  (18th),  he  marched  to 
Tuckasege  Fork,  on  the  Catawba  River,  and  sent  an  express  to  Colonel 
Locke,  who  was  advancing  to  attack  the  Tories  at  Ramsour's,  advising  him 
of  his  approach,  and  to  unite  with  him.  He  crossed  on  the  19th,  and 
marched  the  next  day,  and  camped  within  sixteen  miles  from  Ramsour's. 
His  express  never  reached  Col.  Locke,  for  at  ten  o'clock  at  night  Colonel 
James  Johnston*  of  Tr^yon  County  (now  Lincoln),  reached  Rutherford's  camp, 
with  notice  of  Locke's  intention  to  attack  at  sunrise  next  morning  the  Tories, 
and  requesting  the  aid  of  Rutherford.  This  excited  Rutherford  to  more 
speed,  but  the  battle  had  been  fought  and  won  before  he  (with  whom  was 
Major  Davie  and  Major  Jos.  Graham)  could  reach  the  field.  For  a  faithful 
and  graphic  account  of  the  battle  from  the  pen  of  General  Joseph  Graham, 
Avho  was  a  resident  of  the  county,  and  well  acquainted  with  all  the  facts 
and  actors,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  Chapter  XLVL,  (Lincoln  County.) 

This  account  will  correct  an  unintentional  error  recorded  in  the  life  of 
Governor  Davie,  by  Professor  Hubbard,  as  to  the  number  of  killed  on  our  side, 
wherein  it  is  stated  that  "  Lieutenants  McKissack,  Houston  and  Patton  were 
killed."  _ 

Captain  McKissack  and  Captain  Houston  were  both  wounded.  The  first 
represented  Lincoln  County  long  afterwards  in  the  General  Assembly,  and 
the  latter  died  of  good  old  age  long  after  this  battle.  He  was  the  father 
of  my  near  neighbor,  Dr.  Joel  Brevard  Houston,  and  many  similar  stalwart 
sons. 

After  this  General  Rutherford  marched  towards  the  Yadkin,  to  put  down 
Col.  Bryan,  who  was  assembling  the  Tories  in  the  forks  of  the  Yadkin,  while 
Major  Davie  and  his  mounted  force  were  ordered  to  take  position  near  the 
south  line  to  protect  this  frontier,  check  the  foraging  parties  of  the  British, 
and  the  depredations  of  the  Tories. 

He  took  position  on  the  north  side  of  "Waxhaw  Creek ;  and  here  he  was 
reinforced  by  Major  Crawford  with  some  South  Carolina  troops,  and  thirty-five 
Indian  warriors  (of  the  Catawba),  under  their  chief,  New  River,  and  the 
Mecklenburg  militia  under  Colonel  Higgins. 

On  20th  July  he  intercepted  at  Flat  Rock  a  convoy  of  provisions,  spirits, 
and  clothing  intended  for  the  enemy,  posted  at  Hanging  Rock,  about  four 
and  a  half  miles  distant.  This  escort  was  guarded  by  some  dragoons  and 
volunteers.  The  escort  was  sui-prised,  and  their  capture  was  effected  without 
loss — the  spirits,  provisions,  and  wagons  destroyed — the  prisoners  mounted 
on  the  captured  horses,  and  at  dark  the  retreat  commenced.  The  advance 
was  formed  of  the  guides,  and  a  few  mounted  infantry  under  charge  of  Cap- 
tain Petit ;  the  prisoners  were  guarded  by  dragoons  under  command  of  Cap- 
tain Wm.  Polk  (who  served  as  volunteer),  in  the  centre  ;  and  the  guard 
brought  up  the  rear.  On  Beaver  Creek,  about  midnight,  they  were  attacked 
by  the  enemy  in  ambuscade.  The  rear  guard  had  entered  the  lane,  when 
the  officer  in  advance  hailed  the  British,  who  were  discovered  concealed 
under  the  fence,  in  a  field  of  standing  corn.  A  second  challenge  was  an- 
swered by  a  volley  of  musketry  from  the  concealed  foe,  which  commenced  on 

*  Father  of  Robert  Joliuston,  Esq  ,  of  Lincoln  County. 


HALIFAX  COUNTY.  191 

the  right,  and  passed  by  a  running  fire  to  the  rear  of  the  detachment.  Major 
Davie,  who  rode  rapidly  forward,  ordered  the  men  forward,  and  to  push 
through  the  lane  ;  but  under  surprise  his  troops  turned  back,  and  upon  the 
loaded  arms  of  the  enemy.  He  was  thus  compelled  to  repass  the  ambuscade 
under  a  heavy  fire,  and  overtook  his  men  retreating  by  the  same  road  they 
had  advanced.  The  detachment  was  finally  rallied  and  halted  upon  a  hill ; 
but  so  surprised  and  discomfited  at  this  unexpected  attack  that  no  efibrt 
could  induce  them  to  charge  upon  the  enemy.  A  judicious  retreat  was  the 
only  course  left  to  avoid  a  similar  disaster,  which  was  effected,  and  Davie 
passed  the  enemy's  patrols,  and  regained  his  camp  early  next  day  without  fur- 
ther accident  or  loss.  The  loss  of  Davie's  corps  was  slight,  compared  to  the  ad- 
vantage gained  by  him  in  the  capture  of  the  convoy.  The  fire  of  the  enemy 
fell  chiefly  upon  those  in  the  lane,  who  were  prisoners  (confined  two  on  a 
horse  with  the  guard).  These  were  nearly  all  killed  or  mortally  wounded. 
Lieutenant  Elliot  was  killed,  Captain  Petit  paid  the  penalty  of  neglect  of 
duty,  by  being  wounded  with  two  of  his  men.  Petit  had  been  ordered  by 
Major  Davie,  who  anticipated  some  attempt  to  recover  the  prisoners,  on 
their  approach  to  the  fatal  lane,  to  advance,  examine  the  lane,  the  ford  of 
the  creek,  and  the  houses  ;  with  express  orders  to  secure  all  the  persons  in 
the  families,  so  that  no  alarm  could  be  created.  He  returned,  and  reported 
that  he  had  executed  faithfully  his  orders,  and  all  was  well.  Had  this  been 
done  faithfully  this  ambuscade  would  have  been  earlier  discovered,  and  its 
effects  prevented.  ^ 

General  Davie,  in  a  MS.  account  of  this  affair,  leaves  this  sagacious  advice  : 
"  It  furnishes  a  lesson  to  officers  of  partisan  corps,  that  every  officer  of  a 
detachment  may,  at  some  time,  have  its  safety  and  reputation  committed 
to  him,  and  that  the  slightest  neglect  is  generally  severely  punished  by  an 
enemy." 

I  take  this  account  of  this  afiair  from  a  most  valuable  original  manuscript, 
written  under  the  eye  of  General  Davie,  by  his  son,  now  on  file  in  the  Archives 
of  the  Historical  Society  at  Chapel  Hill.  This  corrects  the  statement  in  the 
excellent  work  of  Professor  Hubbard,  where  he  says  :  "  Captain  Petit,  Lieut. 
Elliott,  and  two  men  were  killed."* 

Cols.  Sumpter  and  Neal,  from  South  Carolina,  and  Col.  Irwin,  with  three 
hundred  Mecklenburg  Militia,  in  the  latter  end  of  July,  joined  Major  Davie. 
A  council  was  held.  It  was  determined  that  the  British  posts  at  Rocky 
Mount  and  Hanging  Piock  should  be  attacked.  Colonel  Sumpter,  with  the 
South  Carolina  troops,  and  Colonel  Irwin,  with  the  Mecklenburg  troops,  were 
to  attack  Rocky  Mount,  and  Major  Davie  .should  march  on  Hanging  Rock. 
Both  marched  the  same  evening.  These  two  points  were  about  four  and  a 
half  miles  distant  from  each  other. 

Rocky  Mount  is  on  the  west  bank  of  the  AVateree  River,  thirty  miles  from 
Camden,  and  was  garrisoned  by  Colonel  Turnbull,t  with  150  New  York 
volunteers  and  some  militia.J  Its  defences  consisted  of  two  log-houses,  a 
loop-holed  building,  and  an  abattis. 

Hanging  Piock  is  on  the  road  from  Charlotte  to  Camden,  and  on  the  left 
as  you  go  down  on  the  east  side  of  Wateree,  about  twenty-four  miles  from 
Camden. 

Sumpter,  passing  Broad  River  at  Blair's  Ford,  arrived  early  the  next  day 
and  attacked  the  post.  Their  attack  was  gallant,  and  the  advance  of  the  raw 
troops  to  the  fort,  under  a  heavy  fire  of  the  enemy,  has  elicited  even  the 
admiration  of  their  opponents.  For  want  of  cannon,  these  attacks  were  un- 
successful. He  formed  a  forlorn  hope,  led  by  Colonel  Andrew  Neal.  They 
penetrated  the  abattis,  but  Colonel  Neal  and  five  privates  fell  in  this  attempt, 
and  many  were  mortally  wounded.  General  Sumpter  then  ordered  a  retreat, 
which  was  efi"ected  without  annoyance  or  further  loss. 

Major  Davie,  with  about  forty  mounted  riflemen  and  the  same  number  of 

*  Life  of  William  Richardson  Davie,  by  Fordyce  Hubbard.     The  Library  of  Ameri- 
can Biugraphv,  page  '20. 
t  Stedumn,"i.  201.  {  Tarleton,  94. 


192  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLIXA. 

dragoons,  approached  Hanging  Eock  about  ten  o'clock  the  same  day.  This 
post  was  garrisoned  by  a  strong  force.  While  Davie  was  reconnoitering  the 
ground  to  commence  the  attack,  he  received  information  that  three  companies 
of  mounted  infantry,  returning  from  some  excursion,  had  halted  at  a  house 
near  the  post. 

This  house  was  in  full  view  of  the  Hanging  Rock.  It  was  a  point  of  a 
right  angle  made  by  a  lane,  one  end  of  which  led  to  the  enemy's  camp,  the 
other  to  the  woods.  Davie  advanced  cautiously  from  the  end  near  the  woods, 
while  he  detached  his  riflemen,  whose  dress  was  similar  to  the  Tories,  with 
orders  to  rush  forward  and  charge.  The  riflemen  passed  the  enemy's  sen- 
tinels without  suspicion  or  challenge,  dismounted  in  the  lane,  and  gave  the 
enemy  befoi'e  the  house  a  well-directed  fire ;  the  surprised  Loyalists  fled  to 
the  other  end,  where  they  were  received  by  the  dragoons  in  full  gallop,  who 
charged  boldly  on  them  and  gave  them  a  heavy  fire.  They  retreated  in  great 
confusion  to  the  angle  of  the  lane,  where  they  were  received  by  the  infantry, 
who  charged  with  great  impetuosity  and  closed  up  all  retreat.  The  dragoons 
advancing,  surrounded  them,  and  they  were  all  cut  to  pieces  in  the  very  face 
of  the  whole  British  camp  at  Hanging  Rock.  No  time  could  be  spared  to 
take  any  prisoners.  Sixty  valuable  horses  and  one  hundred  muskets  were 
the  booty  taken  from  the  enemy.  The  whole  camp  of  the  enemy  instantly 
beat  to  arms  ;  but  this  brilliant  but  bloody  afi"air  was  over,  and  Davie  out  of 
reach  before  their  forces  were  in  motion,  or  their  consternation  and  panic  sub- 
sided from  this  daring  and  successful  attack.  Davie  reached  his  camp  safely 
without  the  loss  of  a  single  man. 

Colonel  Sumpter  was  thoroughly  convinced,  composed  as  his  command 
was,  that  it  must  be  constantly  in  employment,  and  that  the  minds  of  such 
men  are  greatly  influenced  by  enterprise.  He  resolved  to  make  a  united 
attack  upon  this  post  (Hanging  Rockj. 

I  record  the  battle  in  General  Davie's  own  words. 
1780.     Battle  of  Hanging  Rock. 

On  the  5th  of  August  the  detachments  met  again  at  Lansford,  on  the  Ca- 
tawba. Their  strength  was  little  diminished ;  Major  Davie  had  lost  not  one 
man.  The  North  Carolina  Militia,  under  Colonel  Irwin  and  Major  Davie, 
numbered  about  five  hundred  men,  officers  and  privates  ;  and  about  three  hun- 
dred South  Carolinians  under  Colonels  Sumpter,  Lacy,  and  Hill. 

It  became  a  matter  of  great  importance  to  remove  the  enemy  from  their 
posts,  and  it  was  supposed,  if  one  of  them  was  taken,  the  other  would  be 
evacuated.  Upon  a  meeting  of  the  ofiicers,  it  was  determined  to  attack  the 
Hanging  Rock  on  the  following  day ;  as  this  was  an  open  camp  they  expected 
to  be  on  a  more  equal  footing  with  the  enemy ;  and  the  men,  whose  approba- 
tion in  those  times  was  absolutely  requisite,  on  being  informed  of  the  deter- 
mination of  the  ofiicers,  entered  into  the  project  with  spirit  and  cheerfulness. 
The  troops  marched  in  the  evening  and  halted  about  midnight  within  two 
miles  of  the  enemy's  camp,  and  a  council  was  now  called  to  settle  the  mode 
of  attack.  Accurate  information  had  been  obtained  of  the  enemy's  situation, 
who  were  pretty  strongly  posted  in  three  divisions. 

The  garrison  of  Hanging  Rock  consisted  of  five  hundred  men ;  one  hundred 
and  sixty  Infantry  of  Tarleton's  legion,  a  part  of  Colonel  Brown's  regiment, 
and  Bryan's  North  Carolina  Tory  Regiment.  The  whole  commanded  by 
Major  Carden. 

The  Regulars  were  posted  on  the  right ;  a  part  of  the  British  legion  and 
Hamilton's  Regiment  were  at  some  houses  in  the  centre  ;  and  Bryan's  Regi- 
ment, and  other  Loyalists  some  distance  on  the  left,  and  separated  from  the 
centre  by  a  skirt  of  wood  ;  the  situation  of  the  regular  troops  could  not  be 
approached  without  an  entire  exposure  of  the  assailants,  and  a  deep  ravine  and 
creek  covei-ed  the  whole  point  of  the  Tory  camp.  Colonel  Sumpter  proposed 
that  the  detachments  should  approach  in  their  divisions,  march  directly  to  the 
centre  encampments,  then  dismount  and  each  division  attack  its  camp.  This 
plan  was  approved  by  all  the  officers  but  Major  Davie,  who  insisted  on  leaving 


HALIFAX  COUNTY.  193 

the  horses  at  this  place  and  marching  to  the  attack  on  foot,  urging  the  confu- 
sion always  consequent  on  dismounting  under  a  fire,  and  the  certainty  of  los- 
ing the  effect  of  a  sudden  and  vigorous  attack.     This  objection  was,  however, 
overruled.     The  divisions  were  soon  made,  and  as  the  day  broke  the  march 
re-commenced  ;  the  general  command  was  conferred  on  Colonel  Sumpter,  as 
the  senior  officer;  Major  Davie  led  the  column  on  the  right,  consisting  of  his 
own  corps,  some  volunteers  under  Major  Bryan,  and  some  detached  compa- 
nies of  South  Carolina  refugees  ;  Colonel  Hill  commanded  the  left,  composed 
of  South  Carolina  refugees;  and  Colonel  Irwin  the  centre,  formed  entirely  of 
the  Mecklenburg  militia.     They  turned  to  the  left  of  the_  road  to  avoid  the 
enemy's  piquet  and  patrol,  with  an  intention  to  return  to  it  under  cover  of  a 
defile  near  the  camp,  but  tlie  guides,  either  from  ignorance  or  timidity,  led 
them  so  far  to  the  left  that  the  right,  centre,  and  left  divisions,  all  fell  on  the 
Tory  encampment.     These  devoted  people  were  soon  attacked  in  front  and 
flank,  and  routed  with  great  slaughter,  as  the  Americans   pressed  on  in  pur- 
suit of  the  Tories  who  fled  towards  the  centre  encampment.  _  Here  the  Ameri- 
cans received  a  fire  from  one  hundred  and  sixty  of  the  Legion  Infantry,  and 
some  companies  of  Hamilton's  Regiment  posted  behind  a  fence;  but  their 
impetuosity  was  not  one  moment  checked  by  this  unexpected  discharge ;  they 
pressed  on,  and  the  Legion   Infon try  broke  and  joined  in  the.  flight  of  the 
Loyalists,  yielding  their  camp,  without  a  second  effort,  to  the  militia.    At  this 
moment  a  part  of  Colonel  Brown's  Regiment  had  nearly  changed  the  fate  of 
the  day.     They,  by  a  bold  and  skillful  manoeuvre,  passed  into  a  wood  between 
the  Tory  and  centre  encampments,  drew  up  unperceived  and  poured  in  a  heavy 
fire  on  the  militia  forming  from  the  disorder  of  the  pursuit  on  the  flank  of  the 
encampment ;  these  brave  men  took  instinctively  to  the  trees  and  bush  heaps, 
and  returned  the  fire  with  deadly  effect ;  in  a  few  minutes  there  was  not  a 
British  officer  standing,  and  many  of  the  regiment  had  fallen,  and  the  balance, 
on  being  offered  quarters,  threw  down  their  arms.    The  remainder  of  a  British 
line  who  had  also  made  a  movement,  retreated  hastily  towards  their  former 
2->ositlon  and  formed  a  hollow  square  in  the  centre  of  the  cleared  ground. 

The  rout  and  pursuit  of  these  various  corps  by  a  part  of  our  detachment, 
and  plunder  of  the  camp  by  others,  had  thrown  the  Americans  into  great 
confusion.  The  utmost  exertions  were  made  by  Col.  Sumpter  and  the  other 
officers  to  carry  the  men  on  to  attack  the  British  square ;  about  two  hundred 
men,  and  Davies'  dragoons,  were  collected  and  formed  on  the  margin  of  the 
roads,  and  a  heavy  but  ineffectual  fire  was  commenced  on  the  British  troops  ; 
a  large  body  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  the  legion,  infantry,  Hamilton's  regi- 
ment, and  Tories,  were  observed  rallying,  and  formed  on  the  opposite  side  of 
the  British  camp,  near  the  wood,  and  lest  they  might  bo  induced  to  take  the 
Americans  in  flank,  Major  Davie  passed  round  the  camp  under  cover  of  the 
trees,  and  charged  them  with  his  company  of  dragoons.  The  troops,  under 
the  impressions  of  defeat,  were  routed  and  dispersed  by  a  handful  of  men. 

The  distance  of  the  square  from  the  woods,  and  the  fire  of  the  two  pieces 
of  field  artillery,  prevented  the  militia  from  making  any  considerable  impres- 
sion on  the  British  troops,  so  that  on  Major  Davie's  return,  it  was  agreed  to 
plunder  the  encampment  and  retire.  As  this  party  were  returning  towards 
the  centre,  some  of  the  legion  cavalry  appeared,  advanced  up  in  the  Camden 
road,  \yith  a  countenance  as  if  they  meant  to  keep  their  position,  but  on 
being  charged  by  Davie's  dragoons,  they  took  the  woods  in  flight,  and  one 
only  was  outdone.  .  ^ 

A  retreat  was  now  become  absolutely  necessary;  the  British  Commissary  s 
stores  were  taken  in  the  centre  encampment,  and  a  number  of  the  men  were 
already  intoxicated,  the  greatest  part  were  loaded  with  plunder,  and  those 
in  a  condition  to  fight  had  exhausted  their  ammunition  ;  about  an  hour  had 
been  employed  in  plundering  the  camp,  taking  the  parole  of  the  British 
officers,  and  preparing  litters  for  the  wounded. 

All  this  was  done  in  full  view  of  the  British  army,  who  consoled  them- 
selves with  some  military  music  and  an  interlude  of  three  cheers  for  King 
George,  which  was  immediately  answered  by  three  cheers  for  the  hero  of 
America.     The  militia,  at  length  got  into  the  line  of  march,  Davie  and  his 


194  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

dragoons  covering  the  retreat,  but  as  the  troops  were  loaded  with  plunder, 
and  encumbered  with  their  wounded  friends,  and  many  of  them  intoxicated, 
this  retreat  was  not  performed  in  the  best  military  style.  However,  under 
all  these  disadvantages,  they  filed  off  unmolested,  along  the  front  of  the 
enemy,  about  one  o'clock.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  never  correctly 
ascertained,  for  want  of  regular  returns,  and  many  of  the  wounded  being 
carried  immediately  home  from  the  action.  Capt.  Read,  of  North  Carolina, 
and  Capt  McClure,  of  South  Carolina,  were  killed.  Col.  Hill,  South  Carolina, 
Major  Wynn,  South  Carolina,  Capt.  Craighead,  Lieutenant  Fleucher,  Ensign 
McLuin,  wounded. 

The  British  loss  greatly  exceeded  ours. 

The  loss  of  Bryan's  regiment  was  severe.  Sixty-two  of  Tarleton's  legion 
were  killed  and  wounded. 

Major  Davie's  corps  suffered  much  while  tying  their  horses,  and  forming 
under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  Tories,  a  measure  which  he  had  reprobated  in 
the  council  which  had  decided  on  the  mode  of  attack. 

It  is  an  evincible  trait  in  the  character  of  militia,  that  they  will  only  obey 
their  own  officers  in  time  of  action,  and  this  battle  would  have  been  more 
decisive  had  the  troops  not -fallen  into  confusion  in  pursuit  of  the  loyalists 
and  legion  infantry,  by  which  circumstance  the  different  regiments  became 
mixed  and  confounded ;  or  had  the  divisions  of  this  army  left  their  horses 
where  it  was  proposed  they  should,  and  marched  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
have  assailed  each  encampment  at  the  same  time,  a  vigorous  and'  sudden 
attack  might  have  prevented  the  British  from  availing  themselves  of  their 
superior  discipline  ;  the  other  encampments  must  have  been  soon  carried,  and 
the  corps  remaining  distinct  would  have  been  in  a  situation  to  push  any 
advantages  that  Davie's  column  might  have  gained  over  the  British  line. 

This  account  is  nearly  verbatim  from  the  manuscript  left  by  Mr. 

Davie. 

After  the  affair  at  Hanging  Rock,  Major  Davie  conveyed  his  wounded  to  a 
hospital  which  his  foresight  had  provided  at  Charlotte,  and  then  hastened  to 
the  general  rendezvous  for  the  army  under  General  Gates,  at  Rugely's  Mills. 

On  the  16th  of  August,  1780,  about  ten  miles  from  Camden,  Ma-jor  Davie, 
on  his  way  to  unite  his  forces  with  General  Gates,  met  a  soldier.  He  was  an 
American,  and  was  in  full  speed.  He  arrested  him  as  a  deserter,  but  soon 
learned  from  him  that  on  that  fatal  day,  the  whole  American  army  under 
General  Gates,  and  the  whole  British  forces  under  Cornwallis,  had  met,  and 
that  the  British  were  triumphant.  This  unexpected  information  was  too 
soon  confirmed  by  the  appearance  of  General  Gates  himself,  in  full  flight. 
General  Gates  desired  Major  Davie  to  fall  back  on  Charlotte,  or  the  dragoons 
would  soon  be  on  him.  He  replied,  "His  men  were  accustomed  to  Tarleton, 
and  did  not  fear  him."  Gates  had  no  time  to  argue,  but  passed  on.  Of 
General  Huger,  who  then  rode  up,  Major  Davie  asked  how  far  the  directions 
of  Gates  ought  to  be  obeyed,  who  answered,  "Just  as  far  as  you  please,  for 
you  will  never  see  him  again."  He  again  sent  a  gentleman  who  overtook 
General  Gates,  to  say  that  if  he  wished,  he  would  return  and  bury  his  dead. 
The  answer  of  Gates  was,  "  I  say,  retreat!  Let  the  dead  bury  the  dead." 

This  battle  and  defeat  was  a  death-blow  to  the  South  for  the  time. 

Major  Davie  retraced  his  march,  and  took  post  at  Charlotte. 

He  dispatched  an  express  to  Colonel  Sumpter,  of  the  rout  of  the  Ameri- 
can forces,  Avhich  reached  that  officer's  camp  the  same  evening.  Sumpter 
commenced  his  retreat  along  the  west  bank  of  the  Catawba,  towards  the 
upper  country,  with  his  command  consisting  of  one  hundred  regulars,  a  com- 
pany of  artillery,  with  two  brass  pieces,  and  seven  hundred  militia.  To 
nations,  as  to  individuals,  it  seems  that  misfortunes  never  come  singly,  but 
often  crowd  upon  each  other  in  fearful  rapidity  and  overpowering  force. 

Sumpter,  whose  vigilance,  activity,  and  caution  had  been  distinguished, 
having  now  the  largest  military  force  in  the  army  in  the  South,  seems  to  have 
been  benumbed  by  the  panic  which  had  seized  the  friends  of  liberty.  He 
encamped  on  the  night  of  the  17th,  at  Rocky  Mount,  and  remained  there  all 


HALIFAX  COUNTY.  195 

night,  when  he  knew  that  the  British  were  in  sti'iking  distance.  The  next 
day  he  advanced  only  eight  miles,  and  camped  on  an  open  ridge  on  the  north 
bank  of  Fishing  Creek.  Here,  when  some  of  his  troops  had  stacked  their 
arms,  some  bathing  in  the  river,  others  asleep,  others  strolling  about,  he  was 
attacked  by  a  bold  charge  from  Tarleton,  who  seized  their  arms,  and  cut  down 
the  sleepers  as  they  rose,  and  an  immediate  flight  ensued.  Sumpter,  who 
was  asleep  under  a  wagon,  barely  escaped  with  his  life,  and  in  the  confusioxi, 
rode  oif  without  saddle,  hat  or  coat,  and  reached  Major  Davie's  camp,  at 
Charlotte,  two  days  after,  unattended  by  officer,  soldier,  or  servant. 

Lord  Cornwallis  withdrew  his  forces  to  Camden,  where  he  remained  until 
the  first  week  in  Se2:)tember,  to  refresh  his  troops  and  prep.are  to  march 
into  North  Carolina.  On  the  8th,  he  moved  with  the  whole  British  army  to 
the  Waxhaws,  about  forty  miles  from  Charlotte. 

On  the  fifth  of  September  Davie  was  appointed,  by  Governor  Nash,  Colonel- 
Commandant  of  Cavalry,  with  instructions  to  raise  a  regiment.  He  succeeded 
in  raising  only  a  part,  and  with  two  small  companies  of  riflemen  commanded 
by  Major  George  Davidson,  he  took  post  at  Providence. 

With  this  small  force  he  annoyed  the  advance  of  Cornwallis,  and,  for  a 
period  was  the  only  armed  body  of  resistance  in  the  whole  southern  provinces 
that  the  eye  of  the  patriot  could  rest  upon. 

With  fearless  resolution,  at  the  plantation  of  Captain  Wahub,  he  attacked 
their  camp,  routed  the  detachment  there  posted,  killed  fifteen  or  twenty  of 
their  men,  wounded  about  forty,  and  retreated  in  good  order  without  any 
loss.  Captain  Wahub,  who  was  with  Colonel  Davie,  had  only  a  moment  to 
see  his  wife  and  children,  and  a  few  minutes  after,  as  the  detachment  moved 
off,  saw  his  houses  in  flames,  lighted  up  by  the  cruel  enemy.  Davie  brought 
off  in  this  sortie  ninety-six  horses,  one  hundred  and  twenty  stands  of  ai-ms, 
and  reached  his  camp  the  same  evening,  after  riding  sixty  miles  in  less  than 
twenty-four  hours  ;  during  which  he  had  fought  and  beat  a  superior  force. 

Generals  Sumner  and  Davidson,  with  their  brigades  of  militia,  had  arrived 
that  day  at  his  camp.  But  on  the  advance  of  the  British  they  retreated  by 
Phifer's,  the  nearest  route  to  Salisbury ;  ordering  Colonel  Davie  with  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and  some  volunteers  under  Major  Joseph  Gra- 
ham, to  hover  around  the  advancing  foe,  annoy  his  foraging  parties,  and 
skirmish  with  his  light  ti'oops. 

Obeying  these  orders,  on  the  night  of  the  25th  of  September  1780,  Colonel 
Davie  entered  the  town  of  Charlotte.  At  the  same  time  the  British  army  lay 
a  few  miles  from  town. 

The  town  of  Charlotte  is  situated  on  rising  ground,  and  consisted  then  of 
about  forty  houses,  the  two  main  streets  crossed  at  right  angles,  the  court 
house  in  the  centre.  The  left  of  the  town  was  an  open  common,  the  right 
was  covered  with  underwood.  Davie  determined  to  give  them  a  warm  recep- 
tion as  a  small  foretaste  of  the  welcome  his  lordship  would  have  in  coming 
into  "  The  Hornet's  Nest"  of  North  Carolina.  He  dismounted  one  of  his 
companies,  and  stationed  them  under  the  court  house;  the  upper  part  of 
which  was  occupied  as  a  court  room,  the  under  as  a  market  house  :*  the  other 
two  were  posted  behind  the  garden  fences  on  either  side  of  the  street,  by 
which  the  British  advanced.  The  Legion  of  Tarleton  (under  Major  Hanger, 
Tarleton  being  unwell),  led  the  advance,  the  main  body  following.  When 
within  about  sixty  yards  of  the  court  house,  a  sharp  fire  was  opened  by  the 
Americans,  which  caused  the  enemy  to  recoil.  Lord  Cornwallis,  vexed  to  see 
his  whole  army  thus  checked,  rode  up  in  person  and  said,  ''Legion !  liemem- 
her,  you  have  everything  to  lose,  but  nothing  to  gain."  Thus  taunted,  they 
returned,  re-inforced,  to  the  charge,  and  Colonel  Davie  ordered  a  retreat. 
The  pursuit  lasted  for  some  time,  for  several  miles,  in  which  Colonel  Locke,  of 
Rowan,  was  killed,  and  Major  Joseph  Graham  severely  wounded;  and  about 
thirty  others  killed,  wounded,  and  prisoners. 

"The  king's  troops  did  not  come  out  of  this  skirmish  unhurt.  Major 
Hanger,  Captains  Campbell  and  MacDonald  wounded,  and  twelve  non-com- 
missioned officers  and  men  killed  and  wounded. "f 

*  Stedman,  i.  21G.  t  Tarleton,  159. 


196  HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLINA. 

There  is  no  event  of  more  chivalry  displayed  in  the  whole  Revolutionary 
"War,  than  this  gallant  attack  of  Colonel  Davie  by  a  mere  handful  of  men  ; 
facing  with  firmness,  and  checking  even  for  a  moment  the  whole  British 
force. 

The  brilliancy  of  such  an  event  was  most  appropriately  displayed  on  the 

very  ground  that  in  May  1775,  was  the  birthplace  of  American  Independence. 

^The  next  day  Colonel  Davie  joined  the  army  at  Salisbury,  where  the  men 

and  officers  to  raise  new  recruits  had  assembled.     Here  Colonel  Taylor's 

regiment  from  Granville,  was  united  to  his  command. 

Generals  Sumner  and  Davidson  continued  their  retreat  beyond  the  Yad- 
kin, while  Colonel  Davie  returned  towards  Charlotte,  the  activity  of  whose 
movements,  the  daring  of  whose  adventures,  and  the  perfect  knowledge  he 
had  of  the  locality  of  the  country,  rendered  him  useful  to  check  the  incur- 
sions of  the  enemy,  repress  the  Tories,  and  encourage  the  friends  of  liberty. 

Lord  Cornwallis  felt  the  difficulties  of  his  position;  and  on  hearing  of  the 
defeat  and  death  of  Colonel  Ferguson  at  King's  Mountain,  he  left  Charlotte 
on  the  14th  of  October,  in  the  night  in  great  precipitation,  and  retrogi-aded 
towards  South  Carolina,  re-crossed  the  Catawba  River  at  Land's  Ford,  and 
took  position  at  Winnsboro'. 

The  defeat  of  the  British  and  Tories  at  King's  Mountain,  and  the  retreat 
of  Cornwallis,  revived  the  hopes  of  the  patriots  in  North  Carolina. 

General  Smallwood  had  his  head  quarters  at  Providence,  and  in  a  short 
time  several  thousand  militia  under  Generals  Davidson,  Sumner,  and  Jones, 
joined  his  camp. 

Colonel  Davie,  with  three  hundred  mounted  infantry,  occupied  an  advanced 
post  at  Land's  Ford.  In  November,  the  term  of  service  of  his  men  expired, 
and  Col.  Davie  was  left  without  any  command.  Harassed  as  he  had  been  by 
actual  service,  the  enemy  fled  from  the  State,  he  was  willing  to  have  a  tem-. 
porary  respite  from  the  active  duties  of  the  field.  He  retired  to  Salisbury. 
But  General  Smallwood,  who  entertained  the  highest  opinion  of  Davie's 
military  talents,  desired  his  services.  At  General  Smallwood's  suggestion, 
Colonel  Davie  sent  Captain  Montflorence,  who  had  been  his  Brigade  Major 
in  active  service,  to  the  Board  of  War  then  sitting  at  Halifax. 

This  tribunal  was  created  in  1780,  with  extraordinary  powers,  overshadow- 
ing the  Governor,  who  was  by  the  Constitution  "  Captain-Genei-al  and  Com- 
mander-in-Chief." As  was  to  be  anticipated,  collisions  arose  between  the 
Governor  and  this  Board. 

I  have  examined  the  act  passed  13th  September,  1780,  and  it  directs  that 
five  persons  be  elected  by  joint  ballot  of  both  Houses  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, who  shall  have  the  directions  of  the  militia,  provide  ammunition,  stores, 
appoint  officers,  and  remove  such  as  they  might  deem  proper,  establish  posts, 
and  carry  on  military  operations. 

Under  this  act  Alexander  Martin,  John  Penn,  and  Oroondates  Davis  were 
elected. 

To  them,  the  application  of  Colonel  Davie  was  made;  by  them,  referred  to 
Governor  Nash ;  and  so,  between  the  two,  it  was  not  considered.  Collisions 
between  the  Governor  and  the  Board  were  among  the  causes  of  the  resignation 
of  Governor  Nash ;  the  Board,  in  itself  inefficient,  was  soon  discontinued. 

"Nothing,"  said  Davie,  "could  be  more  ridiculous  than  the  manner  in 
which  it  was  filled.  Martin,  being  a  warrior  of  great  fame,  was  placed  at 
the  head.  Penn,  who  was  only  fit  to  amuse  children,  and  Davis,  who  knew 
nothing  but  a  game  of  whist,  was  placed  on  the  Board." 

Disgusted  with  such  a  state  of  affairs,  Davie  retired  to  his  home. 

When  General  Nathaniel  Greene  took  command  of  the  southern  army  in 
December,  1780,  for  the  first  time,  he  and  Colonel  Davie  mot.  The  commis- 
sary department  had  been  vacated  by  Colonel  Thomas  Polk.  Greene  urged 
upon  Davie  to  accept  this  important  position.  It  involved  great  labor,  untiz-ing 
exertion,  and  great  responsibility,  while  it  held  out  but  little  honor  or  emolu- 
ment, and  no  laurels.  But  strong  as  Davie's  love  of  fame,  his  love  for  his 
country  was  stronger.  Ill  suited  as  were  these  duties  to  his  active  and  chi- 
valric  temper,  his  patriotism  caused  him  to  accept  its  trusts. 


HALIFAX  COUNTY.  197 

He  accompanied  General  Greene  in  his  whole  campaign,  in  his  rapid  re- 
treat from  the  Catawba  to  the  Dan.  He  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Guilford 
(in  March,  1781),  at  Ilobkirk's  Hill  in  April,  at  the  CTacuation  of  Camden 
in  May,  and  at  the  siege  of  Ninety-six.  While  the  army  beleaguered  this 
post  he  was  sent  by  General  Greene  to  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina  for 
men  and  means  of  war.  Ilis  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  leading  men  of 
the  State,  his  gallant  services  in  the  field,  his  winning  manners  and  powerful 
talents  gave  much  weight  to  his  applications. 

The  scarcity  of  money  caused  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina  to  create 
in  1781  a  specific  tax,  and  to  imitate  the  famed  system  of  the  State  of  Frank- 
land,  the  legislature  enacted  that  "for  every  hundred  pounds  of  taxable  pro- 
perty, one  peck  of  Indian  meal,  or  an  equivalent  in  other  grains,  and  three 
pounds  of  good  pork,  or  an  equivalent  in  other  meats,  should  be  paid;  and 
authorized  the  collecting  officers  to  distrain  double  the  amount  in  case  of  a 
refusal  or  neglect  to  bring  the  specific  articles  to  the  appointed  places. 

In  1782,  this  was  increased  to  one  bushel  of  corn  and  to  ten  pounds  of 
pork. 

The  article's  to  be  collected  under  these  laws  came,  of  course,  under  the 
supervision  and  direction  of  Col.  Davie,  and  enlarged  the  difficulties  of  his 
office.  Governor  Johnston  afterwards  declared  that  "this  was  the  most  op- 
pressive and  least  productive  tax  ever  known  in  North  Carolina."  Colonel 
Davie  viewed  the  measure  as  odious,  and  the  plan  worked  so  badly  that  the 
General  Assembly  in  1782  at  "  one  fell  swoop"  abolished  the  offices  of  com- 
missary and  quarter-master,  and  on  Governor  Martin  informing  Colonel 
Davie  that  he  felt  it  his  duty  by  law  to  dismiss  his  assistants,  Colonel  Davie 
wrote  to  him:  "  I  am  sorry  your  Excellency  should  feel  a  pang  on  that  sub- 
ject, as  they  have  already  dismissed  themselves.  No  man  would  desire  to 
continue  in  a  service  where  they  reap  no  recompense,  but  reproach  for  their 
most  active  and  zealous  exertions." 

Colonel  Davie's  accounts  were  numerous,  complex,  and  extensive,  but 
were  all  closed  with  honor  to  himself  and  satisfiiction  to  the  government. 

The  war  ended,  his  country  liberated.  Col.  Davie  now  retired  to  private 
life  and  his  professional  pursuits.  He  took  his  first  circuit  in  February, 
1783,  and  about  this  time  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Jones,  the  eldest  daughter 
of  General  Allen  Jones,  of  Northampton  County,  and  located  himself  at 
Halifax.  If  his  career  in  arms  had  been  brilliant,  his  success  at  the  bar 
more  than  eclipsed  his  military  fame.  His  tall  and  commanding  person,  his 
mellow  and  well-modulated  voice,  his  magnificent  and  flowing  oratory,  with 
his  varied  acquirements  and  solid  learning,  soon  placed  him  at  the  head  of 
his  profession.  The  courts  were  so  arranged  that  a  lawyer  of  that  day  could 
attend  every  Superior  Court  in  the  State.  Col.  Davie  regularly  traversed  the 
whole  State  (except  the  Morganton  Circuit),  and  there  was  no  case.  State 
or  civil,  of  importance,  in  which  he  was  not  employed.  He  shrunk  from  no 
labor,  while  he  avoided  no  responsibility.  An  instance  of  his  moral  courage 
was  given  in  the  defence  of  Col.  Samuel  Bryan  at  Salisbury  (March  term), 
1782,  for  high  treason,  when  the  popular  current  ran  so  high  that  it  would 
be  the  disgrace  or  death  of  any  one  to  defend  so  notorious  a  Tory,  and  so 
active  an  enemy  of  the  State. 

This  is  the  first  case  of  high  treason,  and  we  trust  the  case  will  be  yet  re- 
ported, as  its  record  is  in  existence.* 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  which  assembled  at  riiiladelphia  in 
May,  1787,  to  form  the  Constitution.  His  colleagues  were  llichard  Dobbs 
Spaight,  William  Blount,  and  Hugh  Williamson.  His  labors  in  that  body 
are  recorded,  and  are  evidences  of  his  ability,  foresight  and  patriotism.  His 
name  is  not  appended  to  that  instrument,  since  his  presence  was  demanded 
at  the  close  of  the  session  in  North  Carolina,  to  his  professional  pursuits. 

He  was  elected  to  the  State  Convention  at  Ilillsboro',  21st  Jul}-,  1788,  to 
consider  that  Instrument.     Its  ardent  admirer,  convei'sant  with  its  principles 

*  la  Ihe  Archives  of  Historical  Society.  Professor  Hubbard  thought  tliis  a  fiction. 
Life  of  Davie,  84. 


198  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

and  details,  he  was  Its  able  advocate.  Its  rejection  by  a  vote  of  one  hundred 
majority,  proved  that  neither  the  lucid  reason  of  Johnston,  or  Davie's  impe- 
tuous eloquence,  or  abilities  of  its  friends  could  make  it  popular. 

In  the  legislature  his  efforts  for  the  cause  of  education  in  1789,  deserve 
remembrance.  "I  was  present,"  said  Judge  Murphy,  "in  the  House  of 
Commons,  when  Davie  addressed  that  body  for  a  loan  of  money  to  erect  the 
buildings  of  the  University,  and,  although  more  than  thirty  years  have 
elapsed,  I  have  the  most  vivid  recollections  of  the  greatness  of  his  manner 
and  the  power  of  his  eloquence  upon  that  occasion.  In  the  House  of  Com- 
mons he  had  no  rival,  and  on  all  questions  before  that  body  his  eloquence 
was  irresistible." 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  :  the  selection  of  the  site,  the 
choice  of  professors,  the  arrangement  of  studies,  engaged  his  personal  atten- 
tion. As  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North  Carolina,  he  laid  the 
corner-stone,  and  he  was,  to  the  day  of  diis  death,  its  constant  friend  and  active 
benefactor.     His  portrait  now  hangs  in  one  of  the  halls  of  the  Institution. 

In  1791,  he  was  appointed  by  the  Legislature  one  of  the  commissioners 
to  arrange  the  boundary  between  North  and  South  Carolina. 

In  1794,  he  was  elected  Major-General  of  the  third  division  of  North  Caro- 
lina militia,  and  in  1797,  by  Governor  Ashe,  appointed  Major-General  of  the 
detachment  raised  under  the  act  of  Congress  of  that  year  in  prospect  of  diffi- 
culties with  France. 

In  1798,  he  was  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  Brigadier- 
General  in  the  army,  and  this  year  he  prepared  a  system  of  cavalry  tactics, 
which  were  printed'by  order  of  the  State,  and  used  for  this  arm  of  the  service. 

In  August  of  this  year  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons ;  and  on 
the  4th  of  December  following,  elected*Governor  over  Benjamin  Williams. 

In  June,  1799,  he  was  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  with 
Oliver  Ellsworth,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  Mr.  Murray,  then 
Minister  at  the  Hague,  as  Ambassador  to  France,  vice  Patrick  Henry,  who 
declined.  In  November,  1799,  he  sailed  in  the  frigate  United  States  on  this 
mission. 

In  the  most  polished  court  of  Europe,  the  dignified  person  and  graceful 
manners  of  Governor  Davie  were  conspicuous.  "  I  could  but  remark,"  said  an 
eye-witness,*  "  that  Bonaparte,  in  addressing  the  American  Legation  at  his 
Levees,  seemed  to  forget  that  Governor  Davie  was  second  in  the  mission,  his 
attention  being  more  particularly  to  him." 

Governor  Davie  returned  home,  and  in  June,  1801,  with  General  James 
Wilkinson  and  Benjamin  Hawkins,  was  appointed  to  negotiate  with  the 
Cherokee,  Chickasaw,  Choctaw,  aad  Creek  Indians.     This  he  declined. 

In  1802,  he  was  appointed  by  Mr.  Jefferson  to  negotiate  with  the  Tusca- 
rora  tribe,  as  to  the  treaty  between  them  and  the  State  of  North  Carolina. 

A  treaty  was  signed  4th  December,  1802,  at  Kaleigh,  by  which  the  Indians 
extended  their  leases  until  12th  July,  1816,  at  which  date  their  title  ended 
and  their  lands  reverted  to  the  State. 

In  1803,  he  became  candidate  for  Congress  against  Hon.  Willis  Alston, 
and  on  the  withdrawal  of  Mr.  Jacocks,  he  was  defeated. 

About  this  period  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  estimable  wife,  who, 
more  than  twenty  years  had  rejoiced  in  his  honors,  increased  his  joys,  and 
divided  his  sorrows. 

The  loss  of  Mrs.  Davie  and  the  advance  of  years,  caused  him  to  seek 
retirement.  He  removed  in  1805  to  Tivoli,  near  Landsford,  in  South  Caro- 
lina, where  he  died  in  December,  1820,  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age, 
leaving  six  children  and  his  memory  to  his  country. 

His  children  were  : — 

1st.  Hyder  Ali,  who  married  Elizabeth  Jones  of  Northampton  County, 
and  resided  in  Chester  District,  South  Carolina.  2d.  Sarah  Jones,  who  mar- 
ried William  F.  Dessaussure  of  Columbia,  South  Carolina.  3d.  Mary  Haynes. 
4th.  Martha.    5.  Rebecca.     6.  Frederick  William. 

*  Joseph  B.  Littlejohn,  now  of  TennesseCj  who  was  Gov.  Davie's  Secretary. 


HALIFAX  COUNTY.  199 

THE  CROWELL  FAMILY. 

Two  hrotliers,  John  Crowell  and  Edward,  came  to  Xortli  Carolina  and  set- 
tled in  Halifax.  They  emigrated  from  Woodbridge,  New  Jersey.  They  are 
originally  from  England ;  and  they  or  their  ancestors  were  originally  called 
Cromwell. 

In  the  year  1674,  says  the  Annalist  of  Philadelphia,*  two  brothers  of 
Oliver  Cromwell  left  England  for  America  and  settled  in  New  Jersey.    They 
fled  from  England,  from  the  political  storms  that  impended  over  the  name 
.  and  house  of  the  late  Protector. 

While  on  the  voyage,  fearing  that  persecution  would  follow  from  the  ad- 
herents of  Charles  II.,  then  on  the  English  throne,  they  resolved  to  change 
the  name.  This  was  done,  with  solemn  ceremony,  and  by  writing  their  name 
each  on  paper,  and  each  cutting  from  the  paper  the  M  and  casting  it  in  the 
sea. 

The  family  pedigree  on  vellum,  recording  these  facts,  was  with  the  family 
in  North  Carolina,  in  an  ornamental  chest  with  other  valuables,  when  by  a 
party  of  Tarleton's  Legion,  in  1781,  this  chest  was  seized  and  taken  oflP. 
These  facts  are  undoubted.  The  record  was  again  made  up  from  the  recol- 
lection of  the  family,  and  is  still  preserved  among  them.  From  one  of  them, 
these  interesting  and  curious  facts  are  derived. 

Here,  in  the  quiet  retreats  of  North  Carolina,  the  aspiring  blood  of  Crom- 
well found  repose,  and  in  the  peaceful  precincts  of  Halifax,  the  exquisite 
poetry  of  Gray  was  fully  realized. 

Some  village  Hampden,  who  with  dauntless  breast, 

The  petty  tyrant  of  his  fields  withstood. 
Some  mute,  inglorious  Milton  here  may  rest, 

Some  Cromwell  guiltless  of  his  country's  blood. 

John  Crowell,  who  emigrated  from  New  Jersey  to  Halifax,  married  a  Miss 
Lewis.  He  died  early,  leaving  several  children.  One  of  them,  Joseph,  mar- 
ried Miss  Barnes,  a  celebrated  beauty.  One  of  the  daughters  of  these  married 
Mumford,  whose  daughter  was  the  wife  of  Hon.  Wilie  Jones. 

Edward  Crowell  married  Miss  Piayburn,  aunt  to  Gov.  Kayburn,  of  Georgia; 
by  whom  he  had  several  children.  His  eldest  son  Samuel  married  Miss 
Bradford. 

Colonel  John  Crowell,  late  member  of  Congress  from  Georgia  and  Indian 
Agent,  was  a  son  of  Edward. 

John  B.  Ashe  resided  in  Halifax  and  represented  the  town  in  the  House 
of  Commons.  He  was  a  son  of  Gov.  Samuel  Ashe,  and  was  born  in  1748. 
He  was  a  determined  friend  of  liberty.  At  the  early  age  of  19,  he  was  a 
Captain  in  the  regiment  commanded  by  Colonel  Alexander  Lillington.  He 
was  under  General  Greene,  and  was  Lieutenant-Colonel  at  the  battle  of 
Eutaw,  one  of  the  hardest  fields  of  the  Kevolution. 

He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  1787,  and  served 
until  1788  ;  and  a  member  of  Congress  in  1790,  and  served  until  1793.  He 
was  elected  Governor  of  the  State,  but  died  before  his  qualification. 

Hon.  Willis  Alston  was  a  native  and  resident  of  this  county.  He  ap- 
peared in  public  life  as  early  as  1794,  and  continued  until  1831,  when  he 
retired  from  public  service. 

He  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1803,  and  continued  until  1815  ;  and  again 
in  1825,  and  served  until  1831. 

In  1812,  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  AVays  and  Means  in  Con- 
gress, a  position  of  high  responsibility  and  difficulty  at  any  period,  but 
particularly  so  at  the  period  when  our  republic  was  at  war  with  one  of  the 
most  powerful  nations  on  earth.  He  was  a  man  of  great  tact,  and  was  suc- 
cessful in  his  enterprises.  He  was  distinguished  as  a  consistent,  uniform, 
and  decided  politician. 

He  died  10th  April,  1837. 

*  John  Fanning  Watson,  Esq.,  of  Germantovra,  Pa. 

22 


200  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

ITon.  John  Hatttood  resided  in  Halifax.  He  was  distinguished  for  his 
sound  legal  learning  and  clear  perception.  He  was  elected,  in  1791,  Attor- 
ney-General of  the  State,  and  in  1794,  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  which 
he  resigned  in  1800.  He  is  the  earliest  reporter  of  the  decisions  of  our 
courts,  and  his  first  volume  is  still  used  and  has  gone  through  two  editions. 
It  is  considered  good  authority.  He  was  the  Author  of  the  Manual  of  the 
Laws  of  North  Carolina,  and  Haywood's  Justice. 

The  late  Chief  Justice  Henderson,  in  one  of  his  judicial  opinions,  remarks 
of  this  distinguished  man  substantially,  that  "  he  disparaged  neither  the 
living  nor  the  dead,  when  he  said  that  an  abler  man  than  John  Haywood, 
never  appeared  at  the  bar,  or  sat  on  the  bench  in  North  Carolina." 

The  late  Judge  Murphy,  in  his  address  at  Chapel  Hill,  in  1827,  held  his 
character  in  equally  high  estimation. 

He  removed  to  Tennessee,  and  became  distinguished  in  that  State.  His 
History  of  Tennessee  is  accurate  and  valuable.  He  was  a  firm  believer  in 
spirits  and  ghosts  ;  the  great  weakness  of  a  great  mind. 

Hon.  Joseph  J.  Daniel  was  a  native  and  resident  of  Halifax  County.  He 
was  born  about  1783  ;  educated  at  the  University,  and  studied  law  with  Gov. 
William  R.  Davie. 

In  1807,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

In  1816,  he  was  appointed  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  and 
Equity,  which  he  continued  to  hold  until  1832,  when  he  was  elected  a  Judge 
of  the  Supreme  Court.  This  distinguished  post  he  held  until  his  death,  in 
February,  1848. 

He  married  Maria  Stith,  whom  he  survived,  and  by  whom  he  had  several 
children.  He  was  remarkable  for  his  patience,  profound  legal  knowledge, 
and  general  learning,  especially  in  history.  His  character  was  one  of  inno- 
cent eccentricity,  and  if  he  possessed  "  the  wisdom  of  the  serpent,"  truly,  it 
might  well  be  said,  "the  harmlessness  of  the  dove"  also  belonged  to  him.  The 
elevation.of  ofiice,  and  the  dignity  of  position,  never  changed  the  native  sim- 
plicity of  his  character,  and  unadulterated  purity  of  his  republican  prin- 
ciples. 

In  the  appropriate  language  of  Chief  Justice  Ruffin  from  the  bench  (12th 
February,  1848),  on  the  presentation  of  the  proceedings  of  the  bar  by  the 
Hon.  James  Iredell,  on  the  mournful  occasion  of  his  death — 

"  Judge  Daniel  served  his  country  through  a  period  of  nearly  thirty-two 
years,  acceptably,  ably,  and  faithfully.  He  had  a  love  of  learning,  an  inquir- 
ing mind,  and  a  memory  uncommonly  tenacious ;  and  he  had  acquired  and 
retained  a  stock  of  varied  and  extensive  knowledge,  and  especially  became  well 
versed  in  the  History  and  Principles  of  the  Law.  He  was  without  arrogance 
or  ostentation,  even  of  his  learning ;  had  the  most  unaffected  and  charming 
simplicity  and  mildness  of  manners,  and  no  other  purpose  in  office  than  to 
'  execute  justice  and  maintain  truth  ;'  and  therefore  he  was  patient  in  hear- 
ing argument,  laborious  and  calm  in  investigation,  candid  and  instructive  in 
consultation,  and  impartial  and  firm  in  decision." 

Hon.  HuTCHiNS  G.  Burton  was  long  a  resident  of  Halifax,  member  of 
Assembly,  and  representative  in  Congress.  He  was  born  in  Granville 
County;  studied  law,  and  settled  in  Mecklenburg,  which  he  represented  in 
1810,  in  the  House  of  Commons,  which  year  he  was  elected  Attorney-General, 
and  which  he  resigned  in  1816.  He  removed  to  Halifax,  and  in  1816,  repre- 
sented the  town  in  the  House  of  Commons. 

In  1819,  he  represented  this  district  in  Congress,  until  1824,  when  he  was 
elected  Governor  of  the  State. 

In  1826,  he  was  nominated  by  John  Quincy  Adams,  then  President  of  the 
United  States,  as  Governor  of  Arkansas,  but  on  the  accession  of  Gen.  Jackson, 
the  nomination  was  not  confirmed.  He  was  a  man  of  popular  address,  ami- 
able temper,  and  of  generous  and  patriotic  feelings. 

He  died  on  the  21st  of  April,  1836,  in  Iredell  County,  and  was  buried  in 
Unity  Churchyard,  near  Beattie's  Ford. 

He  married  Sarah,  the  daughter  of  Wilie  Jones,  one  of  the  loveliest  women 
of  her  age,  by  whom  he  had  several  children. 


HALIFAX  COUNTY.  201 

She  survived  Gov.  Burton,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  Col.  Andrew  Joyner. 
Senator  in  the  General  Assembly,  from  Halifax.  Of  her  may  be  well  said, 
as  was  said  of  the  mother,  she  is  loved  by  all  who  know  her.  None  see  her 
but  admire  her,  none  know  her  but  love  her. 

Hon.  John  Branch  is  a  native  and  resident  of  Halifax  County.  He  sprung 
from  a  true  revolutionary  stock  ;  the  early  records  of  the  Provincial  Congress 
prove  that  his  father  was  a  determined  Whig.  He  represented  Halifax 
County  in  the  House  of  Commons  in  1781,  '82,  and  1787  and  1788.  He  was  a 
terror,"  in  his  day,  to  the  Tories  and  opponents  of  the  liberties  of  America. 

The  journal  of  the  Provincial  Council  shows,  that  on  the  18th  of  December. 
1775,  Mr.  John  Branch  brought  before  the  Council  Walter  Lamb  and  George 
Massenbird,  as  enemies  of  their  country,  and  prayed  condign  punishment 
upon  them  as  Tories.* 

John  Branch  was  born  November  4th,  1782.  He  was  educated  at  the 
University,  and  graduated  in  1801,  and  studied  law  with  the  Hon.  John 
Haywood,  then  a  resident  of  Halifax,  and  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Superior 
Courts.  His  first  appearance  in  public  life  was  in  1811,  as  Senator  from 
Halifax.  In  this  career  he  became  successful,  and  his  course  has  been  bril- 
liant^ 

He  continued  to  be  successively  elected  until  1817,  when  he  was  elected 
Governor  of  the  State.  After  serving  his  term  of  office,  he  was  again  elected 
Senator  in  the  General  Assembly  from  Halifax,  in  1822,  and,  in  1823,  was 
elected  Senator  in  Congress,  to  which  distinguished  post  he  was  re-elected ; 
but,  in  1828,  he  resigned,  on  being  appointed  a  member  of  General  Jackson's 
cabinet  (Secretary  of  the  Navy). 

It  is  a  curious  fact,  but  nevertheless  true,  that  our  State  has  rarely  been 
represented  in  the  cabinet  of  any  President ;  but,  when  she  has,  it  has  been 
in  the  Navy  Department — Gov.  Branch,  in  1828;  Judge  Badger,  in  1840: 
Gov.  Graham,  at  present. 

On  the  dissolution  of  the  Cabinet,  "  from  malign  influences,"  Gov.  Branch 
retired  to  his  home ;  the  people  elected  him  to  the  House  of  Representatives, 
in  Congress,  in  1831. 

In  1834  he  was  again  elected  a  member  of  the  State  Senate,  and,  in  1835, 
a  member  of  the  State  Convention  to  revise  the  Constitution. 

In  1838  he  was  voted  for  as  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Governor. 

In  1843  he  was  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  Governor 
of  Florida.  He  now  resides  at  Enfield,  enjoying  a  green  old  age  and  the 
love  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 

Governor  Branch  married  in  early  life  Miss  Fort,  who  for  a  long  time 
"  divided  his  sorrows  and  doubled  his  joys  and  honors,"  and  was  the  mother 
of  a  lovely  family.     She  died,  a  few  years  ago,  on  her  way  from  Florida. 

Hon.  Jesse  A.  Btndm  is  a  native  of  Halif^ix.  He  was  educated  at  Union 
College,  in  New  York,  and  entered  public  life,  in  1823,  as  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Commons  from  the  town,  and  for  several  years  represented  the 
town  and  also  the  county. 

In  1833  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  Congress,  and 
served  until  1841,  when  he  moved  to  Red  River,  La.,  where  he  now  lives. 

He  was  involved,  by  the  peculiarity  of  his  temper,  in  several  personal  af- 
fairs. His  early  fracas  with  Robt.  Potter  has  been  alluded  to.  He  had  a 
duel  while  in  Congress  with  Hon.  Mr.  Jenifer,  of  Maryland,  in  which,  after 
several  ineffectual  fires,  the  parties  became  reconciled ;  and  a  difficulty  with 
Hon.  Rice  Garland,  of  La.,  on  the  floor. 

Hon.  John  Reeves  Jones  Daniel  resides  in  Halifax,  and  is  a  native  of 

that  county. 

He  was'educated  at  the  University,  and  graduated,  in  1821,  with  the  first 
honors  of  a  class  in  which  Hon.  Anderson  Mitchell,  Judge  Lacey,  W.  S. 

♦  See  vol.  i.  page  75. 


202 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Mhoon,  and  others,  were  members.  He  studied  law,  and  practiced  with 
great  success.  In  1831,  he  entered  political  life  as  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Commons,  and  continued  until  1834,  at  which  session  he  was  elected  the 
Attorney-General.  The  duties  of  this  office  he  discharged  with  great  fidelity 
and  ability.  In  1841  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  has  con- 
tinued in"^C'ongress  ever  since.  He  has  been  for  several  sessions  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  of  Claims,  a  position  of  great  responsibility,  delicacy,  and 
labor.  His  pure  character  and  investigating  mind  has  carried  him  success- 
fully through  its  heavy  duties. 

Bartholomew  F.  Moore  is  a  native,  and  for  a  long  time  represented  this 
county.  He  was  educated  at  the  University,  and  graduated  in  1820.  In 
1848  he  was  elected  Attorney-General,  which,  in  1851,  he  resigned.  He  now 
resides  in  Raleigh,  and  is  one  of  a  Board,  with  Hon.  R.  M.  Saunders  and  Hon. 
Asa  Biggs,  to  arrange  the  statute  laws  of  the  State. 

Spear  Whitaker  is  a  native  and  resident  of  Halifax  County.  In  1838  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and,  in  1842,  Attorney- 
General  of  the  State. 

Other  names  might  be  mentioned  in  connection  with  Halifax,  but  our 
present  space  is  limited.  A  future  edition  may  present  others  in  so  ancient 
and  renowned  a  county. 

Members  from  1774  to  1835,  -R-hen  the  Borougli  representation 
was  abolished. 


HALIFAX  TOWN. 


Years. 

1774. 

1775. 

1776. 

1777. 

1778. 

1779. 

1780. 

1781. 

1782. 

1783. 

1784. 

1785. 

1786. 

1787. 

1788. 

1789. 

1791. 

1792. 

1793. 

1794. 

1795. 

1796. 

1797. 

1798. 

1799. 

1800. 

1801. 

1802. 

1803. 

1804. 


House  of  Commons. 
John  Geddy. 
John  Webb. 
Wilie  Jones. 
Wilie  Jones. 
Wilie  Jones. 
Henry  Montfort. 
Henry  Montfort. 
Henry  Montfort. 
Henry  Montfort. 
Henry  Montfort. 
Henry  Montfort. 
Charles  Pasteur. 
Wm.  R.  Davie. 
Wm.  R.  Davie. 
Goodrum  Davis. 
Wm.  R.  Davie. 
Wm.  R.  Davie. 
Richard  H.  Long. 
Wm.  R.  Davie. 
Wm.  R.  Davie. 
John  B.  Ashe. 
Wm.  R.  Davie. 
Thaddeus  Barnes. 
Wm.  R.  Davie. 
Richard  H.  Long. 
Richard  H.  Long. 
Isaac  Hilliard. 
Basset  Stith. 
William  Drew. 
Thomas  Hall. 


Years.         House  of  Commons. 


1805. 

1806. 

1807. 

1808. 

1809. 

1810. 

1811. 

1812. 

1813. 

1814. 

1815. 

1816. 

1817. 

1819. 

1820. 

1821. 

1822. 

1823. 

1824. 
* 

1826. 
1827. 
1828. 
1829. 
1830. 
1831. 
1832. 
1833. 
1834. 
1835. 


Allen  Gilchrist. 
Allen  J.  Davie. 
Joseph  J.  Daniel. 
Wm.  P.  Hall. 
William  Drew. 
Halcott  J.  Pride. 
Jeptha  Dupree. 
Peter  Brown. 
William  Drew. 
William  Drew. 
Joseph  J.  Daniel. 
William  Drew. 
Hutchins  G.  Burton. 
Thomas  Burgess. 
Robert  A.  Jones. 
Thomas  Burgess. 
Thomas  Burgess. 
Jesse  A.  Bynum. 
Jesse  A.  Bynum. 

Robert  Potter. 
Jesse  A.  Bynum. 
Jesse  A.  Bynum. 
AVm.  L.  Long. 

L.  Long. 

L.  Lons. 


Wm. 

Wm. 

Wm 

Wm.  L.  Long. 

Thomas  Ousby. 

Robert  C.  Bond. 


L.  Long. 


*  No  member  was  elected  this  year,  in  consequence  of  tlie  election  having  been  broken 
up  by  a  brawl  between  the  contending  candidates,  Potter  and  Bynum  and  their  friends. 


HALIFAX  COUNTY. 


203 


m$ 


Members  from  Halifax  County  : — 

Years.  Senate. 

1777.  John  Bradford,  _ 

1778.  Oroondatea  Davis, 

1779.  Oroondates  Davis, 

1780.  Oroondates  Davis, 

1781.  Oroondates  Davis, 

1782.  Wilie  Jones, 

1783.  Benj.  McCullock, 

1784.  Nicholas  Long, 

1785.  Nicholas  Long, 

1786.  Benj.  McCullock, 

1787.  Nicholas  Long, 

1788.  Wilie  Jones, 

1789.  John  B.  Ashe, 

1790.  Peter  Quails, 

1791.  Peter  Quails, 

1792.  Peter  Quails, 

1793.  Peter  Quails, 

1794.  Willis  Alston, 

1795.  Willis  Alston, 

1796.  Willis  Alston, 

1797.  Stephen  W.  Carney, 

1798.  Stephen  W.  Carney, 

1799.  Stephen  W.  Carney, 

1800.  Stephen  W.  Carney, 

1801.  Stephen  W.  Carney, 

1802.  Stephen  W.  Carney, 

1803.  Jos.  John  Alston, 

1804.  John  Alston, 

1805.  Gideon  Alston, 

1806.  Gideon  Alston, 

1807.  M'thew  C.  Whitaker, 

1808.  M'thew  C.  Whitaker, 

1809.  M'thew  C.  Whitaker, 

1810.  M'thew  C.  Whitaker, 

1811.  John  Branch, 

1812.  M.  C.  Whitaker, 

1813.  John  Branch, 

1814.  John  Branch, 

1815.  John  Branch, 

1816.  John  Branch, 

1817.  John  Branch, 

1818.  John  Alston, 

1819.  John  Alston, 

1820.  John  Alston, 

1821.  John  Alston, 

1822.  John  Branch, 

1823.  Thomas  Burges, 

1824.  Isham  Matthews, 

1825.  Isham  Matthews, 

1826.  Isham  Matthews, 

1827.  Isham  Matthews, 

1828.  Isham  Matthews, 

1829.  Isham  Matthews, 

1830.  Isham  ^Matthews, 

1831.  Isham  Matthews, 

1832.  Isham  Jlatthews, 

1833.  Isham  Matthews, 

1834.  John  Branch, 

1835.  Andrew  Joyner, 


House  of  Commons. 
Jos.  John  Williams,  Egbert  Haywood. 
Egbert  Haywood,  John  Whitaker. 
Wilie  Jones,  Augustine  Willis. 
Wilie  Jones,  William  AVeldon. 
John  Branch,  Benj.  McCullock, 
John  Branch,  Benj.  McCullock, 
John  Whitaker,  John  Geddy. 
Benj.  McCullock,  John  B.  Ashe. 
John  Whitaker,  John  B.  Ashe. 
John  B.  Ashe,  Augustine  Willis. 
John  Dawson,  John  Branch. 
John  Jones,  John  Branch. 
Peter  Quails,  Marmaduke  Norfleet. 
John  Dawson,  Willis  Alston. 
Willis  Alston,  Thomas  Tabb. 
Willis  Alston,  Eaton  Pugh. 
James  A.  Tabb,  Stephen  W.  Carney. 
Eaton  Pugh,  John  A.  Tabb. 
Eaton  Pugh,  Stephen  W.  Carney. 
John  A.  Tabb,  Eaton  Pugh. 
AVood  J.  Hamblin,  James  A.  Tabb. 
Sterling  Harwell,  Matthew  C.  Whitaker. 
Sterling  Harwell,  Wood  Jones  Hamlin. 
INIatthew  C.  Whitaker,  Sterling  Harwell. 
M.  C.  Whitaker,  Sterling  Harwell. 
Sterling  Harwell,  M.  C.  Whitaker. 
Sterling  Harwell,  M.  C.  Whitaker. 
William  Williams,  M.  C.  Whitaker. 
William  Williams,  M.  C.  Whitaker. 
William  Williams,  M.  C.  Whitaker. 
William  Williams,  Daniel  Mason. 
Lewis  Daniel,  Wm.  Williams. 
Wm.  E.  Webb,  Joseph  Bryant. 
Wm.  E.  Webb,  Benjamin  Edmonds. 
Wm.  E.  Webb,  J.  J.  Daniel. 
J.  J.  Daniel,  AVm.  E.  Webb. 
James  Barnes,  W.  J.  Hamlin. 
J.  Grant,  R.  Jones. 
Richard  Jones,  Wilson  W.  Carter. 
Jesse  A.  Dawson,  Richard  -Jones. 
Richard  Jones,  Jesse  A.  Dawson. 
Jesse  A.  Dawson,  Nevill  Gee. 
Richard  Jones,  Willis  Alston. 
Willis  Alston,  Jesse  A.  Dawson. 
AVillis  Alston,  Jesse  A.  Dawson. 
Robt.  A.  Jones,  Isham  jMatthews. 
Willis  Alston,  Robt.  A.  Jones. 
Willis  Alston,  R.  B.  Daniel. 
Geo.  E.  Spruill,  R,  B.  Daniel. 
Anthony  A.  Wyche,  Geo.  E.  SpruilL 
Geo.  E. 'Spruill,  Wm.  E.  Shine. 
Rice  B.  Pierce,  Geo.  E.  Spruill. 
Jesse  A.  Bynum,  Thos.  Nicholson. 
Jesse  A.  Bynum,  Thos.  Nicholson. 
Thos.  Nicholson,  John  R.  J.  Daniel. 
Charles  Gee,  John  R.  J.  Daniel. 
Wm.  M.  West,  John  R.  J.  Daniel. 
Wm.  L.  Long,  J.  R.  J.  Daniel. 
Sterling  II.  Gee,  Wm.  M.  West. 


204  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1836.     Andrew  Joyner,  Isham  Matthews,  Sterling  H.  Gee,  B.  F. 

Moore. 
1838.     Andrew  Joyner,  Wm.  W.  Daniel,  Major  A.  Wilcox,  Spier 

Whitaker. 
1840.     Andrew  Joyner,  S.  H.  Gee,  B.  A.  Pope,  B.  F.  Moore. 

1842.     Andrew  Joyner,  B.  A.  Pope,  Sterling  H.  Gee,  B.  F.  Moore. 

1844.     Andrew  Joyner,  S.  H.  Gee,  B.  F.  Moore. 

1846.     Andrew  Joyner,  L.  M.  Long,  M.  C.  Whitaker. 

1848.     Andrew  Joyner,  Wm.  L.  Long,  R.  Smith. 

1850.     Andrew  Joyner,  W.  B.  Pope,  R.  Clanton. 


CHAPTER    XXXVII, 


HAYWOOD   COUNTY. 


Haywood  County  was  formed  in  1808,  from  Buncombe  County, 
and  named  in  compliment  to  John  Haywood,  who  from  1787  to 
1827  was  Treasurer  of  North  Carolina. 

It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  south-west  portion  of  North  Caro- 
lina, and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Madison  County,  east  by 
Buncombe  and  Henderson,  south  by  Macon,  and  west  by  the  Ten- 
nessee line.  Its  capital  is  Waynesville,  and  is  distant  from  Raleigh 
two  hundred  and  ninety-four  miles. 

Its  climate  is  lovely  beyond  description,  and  its  mountain  scenery 
equals  its  climate. 

Its  population  is  5931  whites;  710  Indians;  418  slaves ;  15  free  negroes ; 
6,906  representative  population. 

Its  products  are  59,340  bushels  of  corn  ;  36,263  bushels  of  oats  ;  19,559 
bushels  of  wheat ;  7735  bushels  of  rye ;  10,628  pounds  of  tobacco ;  9290 
pounds  of  wool;  1351  dollars  worth  of  ginseng. 

QuALLA  Town  is  chiefly  inhabited  by  the  ancient  sovereigns  of  this  country, 
the  Cherokee  Indians,  among  whom  are  a  fewCatawbas.  The  great  body  of 
this  nation  emigrated,  but  these,  in  consideration  of  their  conduct  and  services 
to  the  government  were  permitted  to  remain.  They  have  a  tract  of  seventy-two 
thousand  acres  of  land.  William  H.  Thomas,  Esq.,  the  present  Senator  from 
Haywood,  Macon,  and  Cherokee,  is  their  business  chief.  The  Qualla  Town 
people  are  divided  into  seven  clans,  each  clan  has  a  town,  over  which  a  Chief 
presides. 

Nearly  all  of  them  can  read  in  their  own  language,  and  most  of  them  under- 
stand English,  but  few,  however,  can  speak  it.  They  manufacture  their  own 
clothes,  their  farming  utensils,  and  guns.  They  are  industrious,  sober  and 
religious  citizens.  They  have  their  own  courts,  judges,  lawyers,  and  juries. 
They  have  a  right  to  vote,  which,  however,  is  rarely  exercised. 

The  invention  of  letters  for  the  Cherokee  alphabet,  by  a  native  Cherokee, 
may  be  considered  as  one  of  the  most  remarkable  discoveries  of  the  age. 
It  consists  of  eighty-six  characters,  each  one  represents  a  distinct  sound.  The 
New  Testament  and  many  works  have  been  seen  printed  in  this  language. 

The  following  letter  from  their  Chief  will  present  the  state  of  the  Indians 
at  the  time. 

The  following,  containing  a  representation  of  the  state  of  a  small  remnant 
of  Cherokee  Indians,  suffered  to  remain  in  North  Carolina,  will  afford  to  all 


HAYWOOD  COUlfTY.  205 

men  of  benevolent  feelings,  much  gratification.  "When  we  reflect  that  they 
•were  the  first  and  rightful  owners  of  the  soil,  does  it  seem  strange  that  they 
should  be  attached  to  the  land  of  their  fathers,  and  their  own  heritage?  The 
only  true  way  to  judge  of  others,  is  to  bring  it  home  to  ourselves.  It  must 
be,  to  all  who  consider  it,  a  matter  of  satisfaction,  that  a  few,  even,  of  this 
persecuted  and  fast  departing  race,  have  been  suffered,  by  the  exercise  of  a 
human  policy,  to  rest  in  peace  amongst  us.  The  account  below,  proves  that 
they  are,  at  least,  as  worthy,  and  exemplary  as  many  who  enjoy  greater  pri- 
vileges, and  profess  more. 

To  the  Hon.  James  Graham. 

Hatwood  County,  North  Carolina,  October  15ih,  1838. 

Sir — I  perceive  in  your  Speech,  delivered  in  the  House  of  Representatives, 
in  May,  1838,  on  the  Bill  making  appropriations  for  preventing  and  suppress- 
ing Indian  hostilities,  you  make  mention  of  Cherokee  Indians  forming  a  set- 
tlement in  the  District  you  represent,  as  being  temperate,  orderly,  industrious, 
and  peaceable.  I  have  been  acquainted  with  those  Indians  since  the  formation 
of  the  settlement  referred  to,  and  know  your  statement  as  above  mentioned 
to  be  correct.  But  as  you  may  be  unacquainted  with  the  circumstances  at- 
tending the  formation  of  that  settlement,  and  with  the  cause  of  their  becom- 
ing temperate,  I  hope  the  following  statement  in  relation  thereto  may  not  be 
unacceptable  to  you,  as  the  Representative  of  the  District  in  which  they 
reside. 

So  early  as  the  year  1806,  two  Deputations  attended  "Washington  City  from 
the  Cherokee  natives;  one  from  the  lower  towns,  to  make  known  to  the  Pre- 
sident their  desire  to  remove  West  of  the  Mississippi,  and  pursue  the  hunter's 
life ;  the  other  Deputation,  representing,  in  part,  the  Cherokees  belonging  to 
the  above  settlement,  to  make  known  to  the  President  their  desire  to  remain 
on  the  lands  of  their  father,  and  become  cultivators  of  the  soil.  The  Presi- 
dent answered  their  petitions  as  follows:  "The  United  States,  my  children, 
are  the  friends  of  both  parties.  As  far  as  can  be  reasonably  asked,  they  are 
willing  to  satisfy  the  wishes  of  both.  Those  who  remain  may  be  assured  of 
our  patronage,  our  aid,  and  good  neighborhood."  The  Treaties  made  between 
the  United  States  and  the  Cherokee  Nation,  in  the  years  1817  and  1819,  made 
provision  for  those  desiring  to  remain,  agreeable  to  the  promise  of  the  Presi- 
dent; and  they  were  made  citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  each  family  was 
allowed  a  reservation  of  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land.  The  whites 
claimed  the  same  lands,  under  a  purchase  made  of  the  State.  >Suits  were 
instituted  in  favor  of  the  Indians,  and  by  our  Courts,  were  decided  in  their 
favor,  and  possession  was  surrendered  to  them  by  the  whites.  Afterwards 
they  were  induced  to  sell  their  reservations  to  the  Commissioners  of  the  State, 
and  to  purchase  lands  in  the  white  settlement,  where  they  now  I'eside,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  hunting  ground  reserved  to  the  Cherokee  hunters  liy  the 
Treaties  concluded  with  the  Cherokee  nation  between  the  years  1790  and 
1799 ;  which  privilege,  as  a  part  of  the  Cherokee  nation,  they  continue  to 
enjoy. 

Until  the  year  1830  they  were  as  intemperate  as  any  other  Indians  on  our 
frontier.  About  that  time  the  principal  chief  of  the  above  settlement,  by 
the  name  of  Drowning  Bear  (or.  You  na  guska),  becoming  convinced  that 
intemjyerance  would  destroy  himself  and  people,  determined  to  live  temperate, 
and  persuade  his  people  to  follow  his  example.  I  was  present  when  he  as- 
sembled them.  On  that  occasion  he  informed  his  people  that  he  had  been 
considering  and  devising  ways  to  promote  their  happiness  in  future.  He 
said  he  had  become  convinced  that  intemperance  was  the  cause  of  the  exter- 
mination of  the  Indian  tribes  situated  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  whitfes: 
referring  them  to  the  present  and  previous  situation  of  the  Catawba  (or  Inctah 
quo)  Indians,  with  whom  they  were  acquainted,  as  an  evidence  of  the  injurious 
effects  of  intemperance.  He  directed  his  clerk  to  write  in  the  Indian  lan- 
guage as  follows;  "The  undersigned  Cherokees,  belonging  to  the  town  of 
Qualla,  agree  to  abandon  the  use  of  spiritous  liquors."  It  was  immediately 
signed  by  the  old  chief,  who  was  followed  by  the  whole  town. 


206 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


He  then  told  them  that  he  had  served  them  upwards  of  forty  years,  without 
any  pecuniary  consideration  whatever,  his  entire  object  being  to  promote  their 
interest.  He  Avas  pleased  to  see  that  they  yet  had  confidence  in  him.  He 
would  advise  them  to  remain  where  they  were,  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina ; 
a  State,  he  considered,  better  and  more  friendly  disposed  to  the  Red  man  than 
any  other.  That  should  they  remove  west,  they  would  there  too  be,  in  a  short 
time,  surrounded  by  the  settlements  of  the  whites,  and  probably  be  included 
in  a  State  disposed  to  oppress  them. 

To  the  above  cause  (temperance)  is  to  be  attributed  their  present  state  of 
improvement.  The  time  previously  spent  in  scenes  of  dissipation  is  now 
spent  in  useful  employment.  Each  family  is  now  capable  of  reading  the 
Scriptures  in  their  own  language,  manufacturing  their  own  clothing,  and 
understand  farming  and  the  mechanical  arts  as' well  as  their  white  neighbors, 
to  whom  they  are  indebted  for  kind  treatment,  and  a  friendly  disposition  in 
advancing  them  in  improvement. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that,  by  a  continuance  of  that  kind  guardianship  exercised 
over  them  by  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  they  will  ere  long  become  a  civil- 
ized community  of  Indians,  and  furnish  an  example  of  the  benevolent  policy 
of  the  State  towards  the  few  of  those  unfortunate  people  who  have  taken 
shelter  under  the  protection  of  her  law. 
Very  respectfully. 

Your  obedient  ser\«int, 

WILLIAM  H.  THOMAS. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Haywood  County : — 


Years.  Senate. 

1809.  John  Welch, 

1810.  John  Welch, 

1811.  John  McFarland, 

1812.  John  McFarland, 

1813.  John  McFarland, 

1814.  John  McFarland, 

1815.  James  Welch, 

1816.  Hodge  Rabourne, 

1817.  Thomas  Tatham, 

1818.  Hodge  Rabourne, 
18 i9.  Hodge  Rabourne, 

1820.  Hodge  Rabourne, 

1821.  Hodge  Rabourne, 

1822.  Hodge  Rabourne, 

1823.  Thomas  Love, 

1824.  Thomas  Love, 

1825.  Thomas  Love, 

1826.  Thomas  Love, 

1827.  Thomas  Love, 

1828.  Thomas  Love, 

1829.  Wm.  Welch, 

1830.  Wm.  Welch, 

1831.  Wm.  Parham, 

1832.  Wm.  Parham, 

1833.  Wm.  Sitton, 

1834.  Ninian  Edmondston, 

1835.  Ninian  Edmondston, 

1836.  James  Gudger, 
1838.  Hodge  Rabourne, 
1840.  Thos.  L.  Clingman, 
1842.  J.  Cathy, 


'House  of  Commons. 

Thomas  Love,  Thomas  Lenoir. 
Thomas  Love,  Thomas  Lenoir. 
Thomas  Love,  Thomas  Lenoir. 
Thomas  Lenoir,  John  Dobson. 
Thomas  Lenoir,  Joseph  Chambers. 
Thomas  Love,  Thomas  Lenoir. 
Thomas  Love,  Joseph  Chambers. 
John  Stevenson,  William  Welch. 
Thomas  Love,  Dan'l  McDowell. 
Thomas  Love,  AVm.  Welch. 
Thomas  Love,  J.  Chambers. 
Thomas  Love,  J.  Chambers. 
James  R.  Love,  Ninian  Edmondston. 
James  R.  Love,  Benjamin  Clark. 
James  R.  Love,  Ninian  Edmondston. 
James  R.  Love,  Ninian  Edmondston. 
James  R.  Love,  Ninian  Edmondston. 
James  R.  Love,  Ninian  Edmondston. 
James  R.  Love,  Benjamin  S.  Brittain. 
Benj.  S.  Brittain,  Ninian  Edmondston. 
James  R.  Love,  Ninian  Edmondston. 
Ninian  Edmondston,  Jas.  R.  Love. 
Ninian  Edmondston,  John  L.  Smith. 
John  L.  Smith,  Ninian  Edmondston. 
Ninian  Edmondston,  John  L.  Smith. 
John  L.  Smith,  Joseph  H.  Walker. 
Joseph  II.  Walker,  John  L.  Smith. 
John  L.  Smith. 
Joseph  Keener. 
Joseph  Keener. 
Michael  Francis. 


By  the  Act  of  1842,  Haywood, 
the  50th  Senatorial  District : — 


Macon,  and  Cherokee  formed 


HENDERSON  COUNTY. 


20T 


Years.  Senate. 

1844.  Michael  Francis, 

1846.  Michael  Francis, 

1848.  Wm.  H.  Thomas, 

1850.  Wm.  H.  Thomas, 


House  of  Commons. 
J.  Keener. 
Andrew  Ferguson. 
Kobert  G.  A.  Love. 
Hubert  G.  A.  Love. 


CHAPTER   XXXVIII. 


HENDERSON   COUNTY. 


Henderson  County  was  formed  in  1838,  from  Buncombe, 
and  named  in  compliment  to  Leonard  Henderson,  late  Chief  Justice 
of  the  Supreme  Court,  for  whose  biography  see  Granville  County. 
It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  south-western  part  of  North  Carolina, 
and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Buncombe,  east  by  Rutherford, 
south  by  the  South  Carolina  line,  and  west  by  Haywood  and  Ma- 
con Counties. 

Its  capital  is  Hendersonville,  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  west 
of  Raleigh. 

Its  population  is  5,892  whites ;  924  slaves ;  37  free  negroes ;  6,483  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  products  annually  are  677,811  bushels  of  corn ;  9,677  bushels  of  oats  ; 
5,293  bushels  of  rye;  1,268  bushels  of  wheat;  1,229  pounds  of  tobacco;  2,141 
pounds  of  wool ;  518  dollars  worth  of  ginseng. 

By  Act  of  1842,  with  Buncombe  and  Yancey,  it  forms  the 
44th  Senatorial  District. 


Years.  Senate. 

1844.  Nicholas  W.  Woodfin, 

1846.  Nicholas  W.  Woodfin, 

1848.  Nicholas  W.  Woodfin, 

1850.  Nicholas  W.  Woodfin, 


House  of  the  General  Assembly. 
John  Clayton. 
John  Baxter. 
Henry  T.  Farmer. 
Henry  T.  Farmer. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 


HERTFORD  COUNTY. 


Hertford  County  was  formed  as  early  as  1759,  from  Chowan, 
Bertie,  and  Northampton  Counties.  It  was  named  in  compliment 
to  the  Marquis  of  Hertford,  an  English  nobleman,  a  friend  of 
liberty,  and  elder  brother  of  Lord  Conway,  who  in  1766,  moved  in 
the  House  of  Lords,  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act.     He  was  Am- 


208  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

bassador  at  Paris,  in  the  reign  of  George  III.,  and  afterwards  Lord- 
Lieutenant  of  L-eland. 

Hertford  is  a  name  of  Saxon  origin,  and  sisrnifies  the  Red  Ford.* 
Thomson  dedicated  his  immortal  poem,  "The  Seasons,"  to  the 
Marchioness  of  Hertford : — 

"  0  Hertford !  or  to  shine  in  courts 
With  unaffected  grace,  or  walk  the  plain 
With  innocence  and  meditation  joined, 
In  soft  assemblage,  listen  to  my  song 
AVhich  thy  own  season  paints  ;  when  nature  all 
Is  blooming  and  benevolent  like  thee."t 

It  is  situated  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  State ;  bounded  on 
the  north  by  the  Virginia  line,  east  by  the  Chowan  River,  which 
separates  it  from  Gates  County,  south  by  Bertie,  and  west  by 
Northampton  County. 

Its  capital  is  WiNTON,  and  is  so  named  in  compliment  to  the 
Wynns  family,  for  many  years  a  wealthy,  patriotic,  and  distin- 
guished family  in  this  County.  Distant  from  Raleigh  one  hundred 
and  fifty-five  miles.  It  is  beautifully  situated  on  the  Chowan  River, 
which  is  navigable  for  any  shipping  that  can  enter  Ocracocke  Inlet. 

At  Murfreesboro',  in  this  County,  is  a  most  flourishing  female 
institution,  under  the  auspices  of  Rev.  Mr.  Forey.  Its  students 
are  rapidly  increasing,  and  it  is  destined  to  become  a  blessing  to 
the  community,  as  it  is  already  an  ornament  to  the  place  in  which 
it  is  located. 

Its  population  is  3,553  whites;  3,716  slaves  ;  873  free  negroes  ;  6,665  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  chief  products  are  corn,  lumber,  peas,  cotton,  fish,  and  turpentine. 

Although  a  small  county,  and  by  its  position  remote  from  danger, 
yet  in  the  days  of  1776  Hertford  was  willing  and  ready  to  aid  in 
the  cause  of  liberty. 

Her  delegates  to  the  Convention  at  Hillsboro',  Aug.  21st,  1775,  were  Wil- 
liam Mtrfree,  Lawrence  Baker,  Matthew  Brickle,  Day  Kidly,  and 
George  Wynns. 

Her  delegates  to  Halifax,  April  4th,  1776,  were  Robert  Sumner,  Matthew 
Brickle,  and  Lawrence  Baker. 

The  officers  appointed  by  this  Con^gress  were  Benjamin  Wynns,  Colonel ; 
Matthew  Brickle,  Lieutenant-Colonel;  Lawrence  Baker,  Major;  George 
Little,  2d  Major. 

Her  delegates  to  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  on  Nov.  12th,  1776,  which  formed 
our  Constitution,  were  Lawrence  Baker,  William  Murfree,  Robert  Sumner, 
Day  Ridly,  and  James  Wright. 

Hardy  Murfree  resided  in  this  county,  from  whom  Murfreesboro',  in  this 
county,  derives  its  name,  and  also  a  town  of  the  same  name  in  the  State  of 
Tennessee. 

He  was  a  Captain  in  the  2d  Regiment  of  Continental  Troops,  commanded 
by  Robert  Howe,  and  was  in  several  engagements  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 
After  the  war  was  over  he  removed  to  his  land,  in  Tennessee,  granted  to  him 
for  revolutionary  services,  where  he  died,  leaving  a  reputation  for  patriotism, 
enterprise,  and  integrity  worthy  of  his  name  and  State. 

His  son,  William  Hardy  Murfree,  was  born  in  this  county ;  educated  at 
*  Baily's  Dictionary.  -f  See  Spring,  page  1. 


HERTFORD  COUNTY.  209 

Chapel  Hill,  -where  he  graduated  in  1801,  and  studied  law.  lie  was  a  suc- 
cessful and  able  advocate,  lie  entered  public  life  in  1805,  as  a  member  of 
the  House  of  Commons  from  Hertford.  In  1813,  he  was  elected  to  represent 
the  Eden  ton  District  in  Congress,  and  re-elected  in  1815.  During  this  troubled 
and  excited  period  he  had  the  reputation  of  a  true  republican,  and  sustained 
the  war  and  Mr.  Madison. 

About  1825  he  removed  to  Tennessee,  and  died  in  Nashville  soon  after, 
where  he  left  one  son,  William  Law  Murfree. 

General  Thomas  Wtxxs  was  born,  lived,  and  died  in  Hertford.  He  was  a 
Planter  by  profession,  of  active  energetic  mind,  unspotted  integrity,  and  great 
personal  worth.  lie  lived  near  Winton,  at  the  ferry  (called  Barfield's).  As 
early  as  1787,  he  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  for  many  years 
after  a  member  of  the  Senate.  He  was  elected  in  1802  a  member  of  Congress 
from  the  Edenton  District,  in  which  capacity  he  served  until  1807.  He  left 
no  children,  and  but  few  collateral  relatives. 

Hon.  Kenneth  Ratner  is  a  resident  of  Hertford,  has  represented  this  county 
in  the  Legislature,  in  the  Convention,  and  Congress,  and  is  her  present  mem- 
ber. His  father  was  a  Baptist  Minister  of  exemplary  piety  and  virtue.  Mr. 
Rayner  was  born  in  Bertie  about  1808  ;  educated  at  the  Academy  in  Tar- 
boro',  read  law  and  obtained  a  license,  but  never  practiced. 

He  entered  public  life  in  1835  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and 
the  same  year  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  to  revise  the  Constitution,  and 
distinguished  himself  by  his  fervid  eloquence  on  the  32d  Section  of  that  In- 
strument which  created  religious  test  for  office.  In  1836  and  '38  he  was  again 
a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  1839  was  elected  a  member  of  Con- 
gress, in  Avhich  capacity  he  served  until  1845,  when  he  declined  a  re-election. 

In  184G  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons,  which  position  he  now 
occupies,  and  is  now  in  the  meridian  of  life  and  usefulness. 

About  1841  he  married,  at  Raleigh,  Susan,  the  daughter  of  the  late  Colonel 
William  Polk,  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  Revolution. 

Last  and  least,  this  county  is  the  birthplace  of  the  author  of  these  sketches. 
His  grandfather  came  from  New  Jersey,  near  Elizabcthtown,  served  in  the 
Revolutionary  war,  was  a  physician  by  profession,  and  died  in  Northampton 
County,  near  Murfreesboro',  in  1814,  where  he  lies  buried. 

His  father  was  raised  by  Zedekiah  Stone,  in  Bertie,  where  he  married 
Elizabeth  Jordan,  6th  Jan'y,  1796.  He  was  a  successful  merchant,  and  died 
7th  August,  1832. 

From  the  papers  of  that  day  the  following  is  copied  : — 

"  Died,  on  Tuesday,  the  7th  of  August,  1832,  at  his  residence,  in  the  town 
of  Murfreesboro',  John  Wheeler,  Esq.,  Postmaster  of  said  place,  in  the  62d 
year  of  his  age. 

"  He  was  one  of  the  earliest  inhabitants  of  the  village  in  which  he  died. 
He  had  seen  it  grow  up,  from  one  or  two  scattering  houses,  to  the  appearance 
which  it  now  presents.  In  all  his  dealings  with  mankind  he  was  distinguished 
for  his  integrity  of  character  and  honesty  of  purpose.  As  a  citizen,  he  was 
faithful  to  every  trust  committed  to  his  care;  as  a  Christian,  he  was  a  humble 
and  devout  member  of  the  Baptist  church  for  above  thirty  years ;  as  a  father, 
he  was  kind  and  indulgent  to  his  numerous  family  ;  and,  as  a  husband,  ho 
was  always  aS'ectiouate.  In  all  his  relations  to  society  he  sustained  an  un- 
blemished reputation  ;  he  lived  respected  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  died 
deeply  moui-ned  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  During  his 
long,  severe,  and  "fatal  illness,  he  manifested  the  utmost  patience  and  sub- 
mission to  the  decrees  of  an  all-wise  Providence.  He  retained  his  faculties 
to  the  last  moment.  When  the  hand  of  death  pressed  upon  him,  he  was 
conscious  of  the  touch,  and  did  not  shrink  from  it.  He  embraced  his  affec- 
tionate relations  who  were  mourning  around  him,  and  composedly  bid  them 
'  farewell.'  He  said  'he  felt  that  he  was  dying;  that  it  was  not  so  hard  to 
die  as  he  had  thought ;  he  was  not  afraid  to  die,  that  he  knew  he  was  going 
to  an  eternal  rest.'     Such  was  the  triumphant  end  of  this  good  man. 


210  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

« Sure  the  last  end 
Of  the  good  man  is  peace.     How  calm  his  exit ; 
Night-dews  fall  not  more  gently  to  the  ground, 
Nor  weary  worn-out  winds  expire  so  soft.'  " 

He  discharged,  in  his  humble  sphere,  all  his  trusts,  and  of  such  a  father 
one  may  be  justly  proud. 

The  author  was  born  2d  August,  1806,  in  the  town  of  Murfreesborough, 
and  was  prepared  for  college  by  Rev.  Jonathan  Otis  Freeman.  He  entered 
the  Columbian  College,  District  of  Columbia,  in  1821,  and  took  his  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1826  ;  read  law  with  late  Chief-Justice  Taylor,  and  was 
licensed  in  1827.  In  1828  he  received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  at  Chapel  Hill ; 
In  1827  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons,  in  which  he  served  continuously 
until  1830,  when  he  was  a  candidate  for  Congress  in  the  Edenton  District, 
and  defeated  by  Hon.  Wm.  B.  Shepard. 

In  1831  he  was  appointed  by  the  President,  by  and  with  the  advice  and 
consent  of  the  Senate,  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  under  the  Con- 
vention with  France,  which  board  consisted  of  Hon.  George  W.  Campbell,  of 
Tennessee  ;  Hon.  John  K.  Kane,  of  Philadelphia ;  and  Hon.  R.  M.  Saunders, 
of  A'orth  Carolina.  These  names  show  the  importance  of  their  functions,  to 
which  he  was  a  humble  adjunct.  At  the  end  of  three  years  the  commission 
expired ;  the  Commissioners  voluntarily  tendered  him  a  letter  of  thanks  for 
his  faithful  conduct. 

In  January,  1837,  he  was  appointed  by  the  President,  by  and  with  the  ad- 
vice and  consent  of  the  Senate,  Superintendent  of  the  Mint  at  Charlotte,  which 
he  held  until  1841. 

In  1842,  at  a  Convention  of  the  Democratic  party  of  Mecklenburg,  he  was 
nominated  as  a  candidate  for  the  House  of  Commons.  This,  by  letter  from 
Raleigh,  was  declined,  as  he  was  about  to  remove  to  Seattle's  Ford,  in  Lincoln 
County,  where  he  now  resides. 

In  1842  he  was  elected  Treasurer  of  the  State,  and,  in  1844,  was  succeeded 
by  Maj.  Charles  L.  Hinton,  since  which  he  has  been  laboriously  employed 
in  collecting  materials  for  the  history  of  the  State.  He  has  been  twice  mar- 
ried ;  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Rev.  0.  B.  Brown,  of  Washington  City ;  and 
second,  to  Ellen,  daughter  of  Thomas  Sully,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia. 


INSURRECTION  OF  SLAVES. 

Connected  with  this  county,  as  being  near  the  scene  of  the  awful  tragedy, 
and  many  of  its  citizens  engaged  in  it,  was  the  insurrection  of  the  negroes, 
and  the  massacre  of  the  whites  in  August,  1831.     Of  this  I  can  truly  say — 

" Miserima  vidi 


Pars  fui."* 

Nat,  a  slave,  was  the  leader  of  this  horrid  and  sanguinary  movement.  He 
was  called  Xat  Turner,  and  belonged  to  Joseph  Travis.  On  Sunday  night, 
21st  August,  1831,  with  a  band  of  some  fifty  or  sixty,  he  murdered,  in  cold 
blood,  fifty-five  persons  on  the  borders  of  our  State,  in  the  county  of  South- 
ampton, Virginia. 

Murfreesboro'  was  the  nearest  town  to  the  scene  of  action,  and  thither  per- 
sons fled  for  safety  and  succor.  Well  does  the  writer  recollect  Levi  Waller 
running  into  town,  and  describing  with  painful  effort  that  his  wife  and  ten 
children  (one  at  the  breast)  were  murdered,  and  that  he  only  escaped  to  teU 
the  dreadful  tale.  A  trooop  of  horse  instantly  were  raised,  who  scoured 
the  country,  and  aided  in  subduing  the  insurgents.  Kat  was  taken  and 
executed  on  11th  Nov.  1831,  with  many  others. 

The  villains  spared  neither  age  nor  sex,  from  the  hoary  grandmother  to 
the  helpless  infant  in  the  cradle. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  persons  murdered,  with  many  of  whom  the 
writer  was  intimately  acquainted. 

Joseph  Travis,  his  wife  and  three  children  ;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Turner :  Hart- 
well  Peebles,;  Sarah  Newsome ;  Mrs.  P.  Reese  and  son  AVilliam ;  Trajan 

*  Most  wretched,  I  have  seen  and  borne  a  part. 


HERTFORD  COUNTY. 


211 


Doyle ;  Henry  Bryant,  wife  and  child ;  and  -wife's  mother,  Mrs.  Catherine 
Whitehead,  son  Richard,  four  daughters,  and  grandchild;  Salathiel  Francis  ; 
Nathaniel  Francis  ;  John  T.  Barrow  ;  George  Vaughan  ;  Mrs.  Levi  Waller 
and  ten  children  ;  William  Williams,  wife  and  two  boys ;  Mrs.  Caswell 
Worrel  and  child;  Mrs.  Rebecca  Vaughn;  Ann  Eliza  Vaughn  and  son 
Arthur;  Mrs.  John  K.  Williams  and  child;  Mrs.  Jacob  Williams  and  three 
children,  and  Edward  Drury.     Amounting  to  fifty-five. 

List  of  Members  of  General  Assembly  from  Hertford  County 

from  1777  to  1850. 


Years.  Senate. 

1777.  Robert  Sumner, 

1778.  Robert  Sumner, 

1779.  Robert  Sumner, 

1780.  Pleasant  Jordan, 

1781.  John  Baker, 

1782.  John  Brickell, 

1783.  John  Baker, 

1784.  John  Baker, 

1785.  Robert  Sumner, 

1786.  Robert  Sumner, 

1787.  Robert  Sumner, 

1788.  Robert  Montgomery, 

1790.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1791.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1792.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1793.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1794.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1795.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1796.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1797.  Thomas  AYynns, 

1798.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1799.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1800.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1801.  Robert  Montgomery, 

1802.  Robert  Montgomery, 

1803.  Robert  Montgomery, 

1804.  Robert  Montgomery, 

1805.  Robert  Montgomery, 

1806.  Robert  Montgomery, 

1807.  Robert  Montgomery, 

1808.  Thomas  Wynns. 

1809.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1810.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1811.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1812.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1813.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1814.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1815.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1816.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1817.  Thomas  Wynns, 

1818.  Boon  Felton, 

1819.  John  H.  Eraser, 

1821.  Thomas  Deans, 

1822.  David  E.  Sumner, 

1823.  David  E,  Sumner, 

1824.  James  Copeland, 

1825.  James  Copeland, 

1826.  Elisha  II.  Sharpe, 

1827.  David  0.  Askew, 


House  of  Commons. 
Joseph  Dickeson,  James  Garrett. 
William  Baker,  .James  Manney. 
William  Wynns,  Nathan  Cotten. 
John  Baker,  Wm.  Wynns. 
Lewis  Brown,  Thomas  Brickell. 
AVm.  Wynns,  Thomas  BrickeU. 
Lewis  Brown,  Thos.  Brickell. 
AVm.  Hill,  Thos.  Brickell. 
James  Manney,  Robert  Montgomery. 
Wm.  Hill,  Thomas  Brickell. 
Thomas  Wynns,  Robert  Montgomery. 
Henry  Baker,  Henry  Hill. 
Robert  Montgomery,  Henry  Hill. 
Robert  Montgomery,  Henry  Hill. 
Henry  Hill,  James  Jones. 
Jethro  Darden,  Henry  Hill. 
Robert  Montgomery,  Jethro  Darden. 
Robert  Montgomery,  Henry  Hill. 
Jethro  Darden,  James  Jones.    ^KS 
James  Jones,  Jethro  Darden. 
Robert  Montgomery,  Jas.  Jones. 
Robert  Montgomery,  James  Jones. 
Robert  Montgomery,  James  Jones. 
James  Jones,  Abner  Perry. 
James  Jones,  Abner  Perry, 
James  Jones,  Abner  Perry. 
Abner  Perry,  James  Jones. 
James  Jones,  William  II.  Murfree. 
James  Jones,  Abner  Perry. 
Lewis  Walters,  Abner  Perry. 
Lewis  Walters,  Abner  Perry. 
Boon  Felton,  Abner  Perry. 
Boon  Felton,  Lewis  Walters. 
Boon  Felton,  William  Jones. 
Wm.  H.  Murfree,  Jethro  Darden. 
William  Jones,  Boon  Felton, 
William  Jones,  Boon  Felton. 
Thomas  Deans,  William  Jones. 
William  Jones,  Thomas  Deans. 
Boon  Felton,  Thomas  Manney.* 
John  H.  Eraser,  B.  J.  Montgomery. 
B.  J.  Montgomery,  I.  Carter. 
Jas.  Copeland,  Jas,  D.  Wynns. 
Isaac  Carter,  Lewis  M.  Jeggitts, 
James  Copeland,  John  Vann. 
John  Vann,  Isaac  Carter. 
John  Vann,  Isaac  Carter. 
B.  J.  Montgomery,  Leonard  Martin. 
B,  J,  Montgomery,  John  II.  Wheeler. 


Now  Judge  of  Superior  Court,  Nashville,  Tenn. 


212  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1828.  David  0,  Askew,         B.  J.  Montgomery,  John  H.  AVheeler. 

1829.  B.  J.  Montgomery,     John  H.  Wheeler,  Elisha  A.  Chamlee. 

1830.  Jacob  Hare,  John  H.  Wheeler,  Isaac  Carter. 

1831.  B.  J.  Montgomery,      Elisha  A.  Chamlee,  Godwin  C.  Moore. 

1832.  B.  J.  Montgomery,      Isaac  Carter,  Thomas  V.  Roberts. 

1833.  John  Vann,  Isaac  Carter,  Sipha  Smith. 

1834.  Geo.  W.  Montgomery,  Isaac  Carter,  Sipha  Smith. 

1835.  John  Vann,  E.  C.  Borland,  Kenneth  Rayner. 

1836.  Geo.  W.  Montgomery,  Kenneth  Rayner. 
1838.  Thomas  B.  Sharpe,      Kenneth  Rayner. 
1840.  B.  T.  Spiers,  Wm.  N.  11.  Smith. 
1842.  Godwin  C.  Moore,       Starkey  Sharpe. 
1844.  Richard  G.  Cowper,    .Jacob  Sharpe. 
1846.  Richard  G.  Cowper,    Kenneth  Rayner. 
1848.  Wm.  N.  H,  Smith,      Kenneth  Rayner. 
1850.  D.  V.  Sessoms,     r      Kenneth  Rayner. 


CHAPTER  XL. 


HYDE  COUNTY. 


Hyde  County  was  one  of  the  Original  precincts  of  North  Caro- 
lina, and  existed  previous  to  1729,  when  the  Lords  Proprietors 
(except  Lord  Granville)  surrendered  their  rights  to  the  crown.  It 
was  called  in  honor  of  Edward  Hyde,  who  was  Governor  of  the 
colony.*     His  commission  is  dated  24th  of  January,  1711. 

It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  eastern  part  of  the  State,  and 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Washington  and  Tyrrell,  east  by  Pamlico 
Sound,  south  by  Pamlico  Sound  and  Pamlico  River,  and  west  by 
Beaufort  County. 

Its  Court  House,  Swan  Quarter,  is  two  hundred  and  three  miles 
east  of  Raleigh. 

Its  population  is  4,798  whites  ;  2,627  slaves  ;  211  free  negroes ;  6,585  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  products  are  188,554  bushels  of  corn ;  18,737  bushels  of  oats  ;  21,055 
bushels  of  wheat;  45,830  pounds  of  cotton;  8,034  pounds  of  wool;  361  bbls, 
of  turpentine. 

Hyde  County  sent  to  the  General  Meeting  of  Delegates  at  Newborn,  25th 
August,  1774,  Samuel  Smith,  Rotheas  Latham. 

To  the  meeting  at  Hillsboro',  21st  August,  1775,  Joseph  Hancock,  John 
Jordan. 

To  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  4th  April,  1776,  Rotheas  Latham,  Joseph 
Hancock,  John  Jordan,  and  Benjamin  Parmele.  Which  body  placed  the 
State  in  military  organization,  and  appointed  as  officers  for  Hyde  County — 

Rotheas  Latham,  Colonel;  Benjamin  Parmele,  Lieut.-Colonel ;  Wm.  Rus- 
sell, Major;  Thos.  Jones,  2d  Major. 

Her  delegates  to  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  12th  of  November,  1776  (which 
formed  the  Constitution),  were  Jos.  Hancock,  John  Jordan,  Benjamin  Par- 
mele, Wm.  Russell,  and  Abraham  Jones.  ' 

*  For  whose  character,  life,  and  death,  see  vol.  i.  38. 


HYDE  COUNTY. 


213 


Its  banks,  a  narrow  strip  of  land  from  New  Inlet  to  Ocracocke, 
present  the  most  easterly  promontory  of  North  Carolina,  and  on 
the  Cape  of  which  is  located  a  liglit-hous*  From  time  immemorial, 
it  has  been  the  dread  of  mariners,  to  whom  the  couplet  is  familiar — 

"  If  once  Henry  you  have  passed, 
Have  a  good  care  of  Ilatteras." 

Its  inhabitants  are  distinguished  for  their  enterprise,  industry, 
and  daring. 

List  of  members  from  Hyde  County: — 


Years.  Senate. 

1777.  AVilliam  Russell, 

1778.  William  Russell, 

1779.  William  Russell, 

1780.  William  Russell, 

1781.  William  Russell, 

1782.  William  Russell, 

1783.  William  Russell, 

1784.  Abram  Jones, 

1785.  Abram  Jones, 

1786.  Abraham  Jones, 

1787.  Abraham  Jones, 

1788.  Abi'am  Jones, 

1789.  John  Eborne, 

1790.  John  Eborne, 

1791.  John  Eborne, 

1792.  Benjamin  Russell, 

1793.  James  Jasper, 

1794.  James  Jasper, 

1795.  James  Jasper, 

1796.  Henry  Selby, 

1797.  Henry  Selby, 

1798.  Henry  Selby, 

1799.  Henry  Selby, 

1800.  Joseph  Masters, 

1801.  Henry  Selby, 

1802.  Henry  Selby, 

1803.  Henry  Selby, 

1804.  Henry  Selby, 

1805.  John  Jordan, 

1806.  Henry  Selby, 

1807.  Henry  Selby, 

1808.  Henry  Selby, 

1809.  John  B.  Jasper, 

1810.  John  B.  Jasper, 

1811.  Benj.  Sanderson, 

1812.  Benj.  Sanderson, 

1813.  Benj.  Sanderson, 

1814.  Samuel  Clarke, 

1815.  Samuel  Clarke, 

1816.  David  Carter, 

1817.  Benj.  F.  Eborn. 

1818.  Benj.  F.  Eborn, 

1819.  Benj.  F.  Eborn, 

1821.  Geo.  W.  Jordan, 

1822.  Geo.  W.  Jordan. 

1823.  David  Gibbs, 

1824.  David  Gibbs, 


House  of  Commons. 

John  Jordan,  Benjamin  Parmele. 
Abram  Jones,  Jos.  Hancock. 
Jos.  Hancock,  Benj.  Parmele. 
Rotheas  Latham,  Geo.  Barrow. 
Rotheas  Latham,  Robert  Jennett, 
Robert  Jennett,  John  Eborne. 
John  Eborne,  Benjamin  Parmele. 
John  Eborne,  Wm.  Russell, 
John  Eborne,  Thomas  Jordon,  Jr. 
John  Eborne,  Southey  Rew. 
John  Eborne,  Southey  Rew. 
John  Eborne,  Southey  Rew. 
Michael  Peters,  James  Jasper. 
James  Jasper,  Michael  Peters. 
James  Jasper,  Michael  Peters. 
James  Jasper,  James  Watson,  • 

James  Watson,  Simon  Alderson. 
James  Watson,  Hutchins  Selby. 
James  AVatson,  Simon  Alderson. 
James  Watson,  Thomas  Jordan. 
Simon  Alderson,  James  AVatson. 
Seldon  Jasper,  William  Clarke. 
John  Jordan,  William  Clarke. 
John  Jordan,  Adam  Gaskins. 
John  Satchwell,  John  Jordan. 
John  Satchwell,  David  Carter. 
John  Jordan  David  Carter. 
David  Carter,  Thomas  Spencer. 
David  Carter,  Zachr.  Jarvis. 
David  Carter,  Zachr.  Jarvis. 
David  Carter,  James  Credle. 
David  Carter,  James  Watson. 
James  Watson,  David  Carter. 
John  Adams,  David  Carter. 
Thomas  Spencer,  Zachary  Eborn. 
Thomas  Spencer,  John  Adams. 
John  Adams,  Thomas  Spencer. 
Thomas  Spencer,  William  Jordan. 
William  Jordan,  Thomas  Spencer. 
William  Jordan,  Thomas  Spencer. 
Thomas  Spencer,  William  Jordan. 
Marvel  Wilkinson,  Matthias  Credit'. 
Littlejohn  Pugh,  Matthias  Crcdlc. 
Littlcjohn  Pugh,  Thomas  Spencer. 
Littlejohn  Pugh,  William  Watson. 
Littlejohn  Pugh,  AVilliam  AVatson. 
AVilliam  AA'atson,  Tilghman  Farrow. 


214 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Fears.  Senate. 

1825.  David  Gibbs, 

1826.  Benjamin  Foreman, 

1827.  Benj.  Sanderson,  • 

1828.  Littlejohn  Pugh, 

1829.  Benj.  Sanderson, 

1830.  Wm.  Selby,  Sen., 

1831.  William  Selby, 

1832.  Caleb  Spencer, 

1833.  Dameron  Pugh, 

1834.  Caleb  Spencer, 

1835.  William  Selby, 

1836.  J.  0.  K.  Williams, 
1838.  J.  0.  K.  Williams, 
1840.  William  Selby, 
1842.  W.B.Hodges, 
1844.  Joshua  Taylor, 
1846.  David  Carter, 
1848.  Thomas  D.  Smaw, 
1850.  Allen  Grist, 


House  of  Commons. 
Littlejohn  Pugh,  John  J.  Bonner. 
Tillman  Farrow,  John  J.  Bonner. 
W.  D.  Styron,  John  B.  Jasper. 
Wallace  D.  Tyron,  John  B.  Jasper. 
Foster  Jarvis,  Marshal  Dickinson. 
Thomas  S.  Singleton,  Foster  Jarvis. 
Thomas  S.  Singleton,  Foster  Jarvis. 
Daniel  Murray,  Foster  Jarvis. 
Daniel  Murray,  John  B.  Jasper. 
Benj.  Watson,  John  L.  Swindell. 
Jno.  L.  Swindell,  Rich'd  M.  G.  Moore. 
Tillman  Farrow. 
Tillman  Farrow. 
Tillman  Farrow. 
Andrew  Shanklin. 
Wilson  Creedle. 
Wilaon  Creedle. 
J.  T.  Farrow. 
Erasmus  D.  Sanderson. 


CHAPTER    XLI. 


IREDELL  COUNTY. 


Iredell  County  was  formed  from  Rowan,  in  1788,  and  called 
in  honor  of  James  Iredell,  Senr.  (late  Associate  Justice  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States),  on  motion  of  General  John 
Steele,  of  Rowan.  For  life,  services,  and  character  of  whom,  see 
Cho\v'an  County  (Chap.  XIX). 

It  is  located  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded*on  the 
north  by  Alexander  County,  east  by  Rowan,  south  by  Cabarrus 
and  Mecklenburg,  and  west  by  the  Catawba  River,  which  separates 
it  from  Catawba  and  Lincoln  County. 

Its  capital  is  StateS-YILLE,  one  LWdred  and  forty-five  miles  west 
of  Raleigh. 

The  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  history  of  Iredell  is  connected 
with  Rowan,  to  which  the  reader  is  referred. 

A  skirmish  took  place  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  on  1st  Febru- 
ary, 1781,  at  Alfred  D.  Kerr's,  on  the  road  from  Beattiesford  to 
Salisbury,  between  the  light  horse  of  Tarleton  and  the  militia,  in 
which  several  were  killed.*  Seven  of  the  British,  and  twenty  of 
their  horses  were  killed  at  the  first  fire,  but  the  militia  broke  and 
retreated  in  all  directions. f 

But  her  list  of  members  presents  some  names  not  unknown  to 
fame. 

Iredell  County  gave  birth  to  one  of  the  most  distinguished  men 


*  Rowan,  chapter  Ixvii. 


t  Tarleton's  Campaigns,  226. 


IREDELL  COUNTY.  215 

of  the  nation,  and  who  received,  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States, 
the  dignified  appellation  of  the  Cato  of  the  Senate. 

Hugh  Lawsox  White,  late  Senator  in  Congress  from  Tennessee,  was  born 
in  Iredell  County  in  the  year  1773,  on  the  plantation  now  owned  by  George 
Franklin  Davidson,  Esq.,  about  two  miles  west  of  Centre  Meeting-house,  on 
Davidson's  Creek,  and  about  four  miles  east  of  Beattiesford.  His  grandfather, 
Moses  White,  emigrated  to  this  country  from  Ireland,  about  1742,  and  had 
six  sons,  James,  Moses,  John,  William,  David,  and  Andy ;  many  of  whose 
descendants  now  reside  in  Iredell.  James,  the  father  of  Hugh,  was  a  soldier 
of  the  Revolution.  He  moved  to  Knox  County,  Tennessee,  about  1786,  was 
a  General  in  the  Creek  war,  and  was  distinguished  for  his  bravery,  energy, 
and  talents. 

Judge  White's  education  was  good.  It  was  conducted  under  the  care  of 
Rev.  Saml.  Carrick,  Mr.  (afterwards  Judge)  Roane,  andDr.  Patterson,  of  Pliila- 
delphia.  In  1795,  he  studied  law  at  Lancaster,  Pa.,  in  the  office  of  James 
Hopkins,  and  there  finished  his  studies.  He  returned  home  to  Tennessee  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession.  He  soon  acquired  eminence  and 
fortune.  At  the  early  age  of  twenty-eight,  he  was  elected  Judge  of  the 
Superior  Court.  Among  such  compeers  as  Andrew  Jackson,  Whitesides, 
Overton,  Geo.  W.Campbell,  and  others,  this  was  no  empty  honor. 

In  1807,  he  resigned  his  judgeship  and  returned  to  his  farm. 

There  appears,  says  a  writer  on  biography,  always  to  be  a  congeniality 
between  the  pursuits  of  agriculture  and  all  great  and  good  minds.  We  , 
do  not  pretend  to  analyze  the  rationale  of  this,  or  why  it  is  that  patriotism 
exists  with  more  elevation  and  fervency  in  the  retirement  of  a  farm  than  in 
the  busy  mart  of  crowded  cities.  The  history  of  man  proves  this  fact,  that 
the  noblest  instances  of  self-sacrificing  patriotism  which  have  adorned  the 
drama  of  human  life,  have  been  presented  by  those  who  are  devoted  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  It  is  the  only  pursuit  that  man  followed  in  his  state  of 
primal  innocence,  and  surviving  his  fall,  allows  the  mind 

"  To  look  through  nature,  up  to  nature's  God." 

In  1807,  Judge  White  was  elected  Senator  to  the  State  Legislature :  but 
this  he  soon  declined.  In  1809,  when  Tennessee  remodeled  her  judiciary  and 
created  the  Supreme  Court,  although  Judge  AVhite  was  two  hundred  miles 
from  the  seat  of  government,  her  unanimous  voice  called  him  from  his  retire- 
ment to  preside  over  this  tribunal  so  exalted,  so  important,  and  the  one  of  the 
last  resort.  He  could  not  refuse  a  position  so  delicately  tendered,  so  honor- 
able in  its  character.  He  presided  for  sis  years  with  such  fidelity  to  his 
country,  and  such  scrupulous  integrity,  as  won  for  him  the  esteem  of  his 
country,  unfading  honors  for  his  reputation. 

At  the  same  time  he  was  chosen  President  of  the  State  Bank.  Under  his 
ability  and  fidelity,  its  character  acquired  stability  and  public  confidence. 

Even  with  these  heavy  duties  on  his  mind,  his  heart  was  not  unmindful  of 
his  country.  At  this  time  Tennessee  was  severely  suffering  by  the  hostile  in- 
cursions and  savage  devastations  of  the  Creek  Indians.  At  the  darkest'period 
of  the  campaign,  when  the  bi'ave  Jackson  was  in  the  midst  of  a  wild  territory, 
surrounded  not  only  by  savages,  but  by  famine  and  want,  disatfection  and 
complaints,  Hugh  L.  White  left  the  Supi-erae  Bench,  and  with  one  compan- 
ion, sought  and  found,  after  days  and  nights  of  peril,  the  veteran  Jackson. 
He  volunteered  his  services,  and  they  were  gladly  accepted. 

While  on  this  campaign  he  lost  several  terms  of  his  courts,  and  as  in  Ten- 
nessee the  Judges  wei'e  only  paid  for  services  performed,  the  Legislature 
resolved,  that  in  consideration  of  Judge  White's  eminent  services  in  the  cam- 
paign, there  should  be  no  diminution  of  his  salary  as  Judge.  This  he  de- 
clined. 

In  1820,  he  was  appointed  (with  Governor  Tazewell,  of  Virginia,  and 
Governor  King,  of  Maine)  a  commissioner  under  the  Convention  with  Spain; 
which  he  accented  and  held  until  its  term  expired,  1824. 

23 


216  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

In  1825,  General  Jackson  having  resigned  his  seat  as  Senator  in  Congress, 
Judge  White  was  unanimously  elected  to  fill  out  his  term. 

In  1827,  he  was  unanimously  elected  for  a  full  term  ;  and  in  1832  was  chosen 
Pi'esident  of  the  Senate. 

In  1830  he  was  voted  for  as  President  of  the  United  States. 

The  electoral  vote  was  for  Martin  Van  Buren,  170 

"  "        Wm.  H.  Harrison,      73 

Hugh  L.  White,  26 

"  "        Daniel  Webster,  14 

"  "        AYilie  P.  Mangum,      11 

Total  294 
He  died  on  10th  of  April,  1840,  full  of  years  and  full  of  honors. 

Hon.  William  Sharpe,  of  Iredell  (when  Rowan),  was  a  distinguished 
patriot  of  the  Revolution  ;  and  early  threw  into  that  dangerous  and  dubious 
conflict  "his  life,  his  fortune,  and  his  sacred  honor." 

William  Sharpe,  the  eldest  son  of  Thomas  Sharpe,  was  born  in  Cecil  County, 
in  Maryland,  Dec.  13th,  1742.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  removed  to  North 
Carolina,  and  settled  in  Mecklenburg,  where  he  married  a  daughter  of  David 
Reese,  one  of  the  true  patriots  of  the  day,  and  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Meck- 
lenburg Declaration.  He  was  a  lawyer  by  profession.  He  then  removed  to 
Iredell,  then  Rowan,  and  took  an  active  and  decided  stand  for  liberty.  The 
Journal  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  that  county  (see.Rowan),  will  present 
a  record  of  his  activity  and  firmness. 

He  was  a  member  from  Rowan  to  the  State  Congress  which  met  at  Newbern, 
in  April,  1775,  and  also  of  the  Congress  at  Hillsboro',  in  August,  1775.  He 
was  also  a  member  at  Halifax  in  1776,  where  our  Constitution  was  formed. 

He  acted  as  Aide-de-camp  to  General  Rutherford  in  his  campaign  in  1776, 
against  the  Indians,  and  was  appointed  by  Governor  Caswell,  in  1777,  with 
Waightstill  Avery,  Joseph  Winston,  and  Robert  Lanier,  to  form  a  treaty 
with  them. 

In  1779  he  was  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  and 
served  until  1782.   He  died  in  July,  1818,  leaving  a  widow  and  twelve  children. 

His  eldest  daughter  married  William  ^Y.  Erwin,  of  Burke,  who  was  Clerk 
of  the  Superior  Court  of  that  county  for  more  than  forty  years,  delegate  to 
the  Convention  at  FayetteviUe  (in  Nov.,  17'89),  which  ratified  the  Constitution, 
and  Agent  of  the  State  Bank.     She  raised  fifteen  children. 

His  second  daughter  Ruth,  married  Andrew  Caldwell,  of  Iredell.  Colonel 
Caldwell  often  represented  Iredell,  and  was  the  father  of  Judge  Caldwell,  and 
the  Honorable  Joseph  P.  Caldwell,  the  present  member  of  Congress  from 
this  District,  Dr.  Elam  Caldwell,  of  Lincolnton,  and  others. 

Alexander  Osborne,  who  resided  in  Iredell  County,  when  Rowan  County, 
was  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  moved  to  Iredell  about  1755.  He  was  a 
Colonel  under  the  Colonial  Government,  and  as  such  marched  in  1768,  with 
a  Regiment  of  Rowan  troops,  to  Hillsboro'  to  aid  Governor  Tryon  to  suppress 
the  Regulators.  His  wife  was  a  Miss  McWhorter.  He  and  his  wife  died  the 
same  day,  and  were  buried  at  Centre  Church.     They  left  one  son, 

Adlai,  who  was  educated  at  Princeton  College,  where  he  graduated  in  1768. 
He  was  Clerk  of  the  Court  for  Rowan  under  the  royal  rule,  and  continued 
after  Independence  until  1809.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  literary  attainments, 
the  firm  friend  of  education,  and  one  of  the  first  Trustees  of  the  University.  He 
died  in  1815,  leaving  a  large  family,  among  whom  was  Spruce  McCay  Osborne, 
who  was  a  graduate  of  Chapel  Hill  in  1806 ;  studied  medicine,  entered  the 
army  as  surgeon,  and  was  killed  at  the  massacre  at  Fort  Mimms ;  and  Edwin 
Jay  Osborne,  who  was  distinguished  as  a  lawyer  of  eloquence  and  learning, 
and  was  the  father  of  James  W.  Osborne,  Esq.,  the  present  Superintendent 
of  the  U.  S.  Branch  Mint  at  Charlotte. 


IREDELL  COUNTY.  21T 

Hon.  David  Franklin  Caldwell  is  a  native  of  Iredell  County,  son  of 
Andrew  Caldwell,  born  in  1792,  educated  at  Chapel  Hill,  studied  law  with 
Archibald  Henderson,  of  Salisbury.  He  entered  public  life,  in  181G,  as  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  Iredell,  and  served  for  several  years. 
He  removed  to  Salisbury,  and,  in  1829,  ^30,  and  '31,  represented  Kowan  in 
the  Senate,  and  was  Speaker  of  the  Senate  in  1829. 

He  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  and  Equity  in  1844. 
which  distinguished  post  he  now  holds  with  great  dignity  to  himself  and 
satisfaction  to  the  country.  He  has  been  twice  married ;  the  first,  to  Fanny 
Alexander,  and  the  second  time  t(5  Mrs.  Troy. 

Hon.  Joseph  Pearson  Caldwell,  son  of  David  Caldwell,  and  brother  to 
Judge  Caldwell,  is  a  native  and  resident  of  Iredell  County.  He  was  born  in 
1808.  Educated  at  Bethany  Academy,  studied  law  with  Judge  Caldwell, 
and  entered  public  life,  in  1838,  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons.  He 
was  re-elected  in  1840,  and,  in  1842  and  in  1849,  was  elected  a  member  of 
Congress,  to  which  distinguished  post  he  is  again  re-elected. 

Many  other  names  in  connection  with  this  county  might  be  men- 
tioned ;  but  we  have  already  given  a  large  space  to  this  county, 
and  another  edition  will  present  her  distinguished  sons  more  at 
length. 

The  reader  is  referred  to  an  original  record,  under  the  head  of 
Rowan,  "  The  Proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  Rowan 
County  (then  including  Iredell)  in  1774-75,  and  '76,"  which  will 
present  in  true  colors  the  spirit  of  the  people  in  those  trying- 
times.  It  has  never  before  been  published,  and  for  it  I  here  tender 
my  thanks  to  Silas  Davidson  Sharpe,  of  this  county. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Iredell  County,  from 
the  date  of  erection  to  last  session,  1850-51. 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1789.  John  Nesbet,  Adam  Brevard,  Musentine  Matthews. 

1790.  John  Nesbet,  David  Caldwell,  M.  Matthews. 

1791.  David  Caldwell,  Musentine  Matthews,  Alexander  Work. 

1792.  David  Caldwell,  Musentine  Matthews,  Burgess  Gaither. 

1793.  John  Huggins,  James  Crawford,  Musentine  Matthews. 

1794.  John  Huggins,  Musentine  Matthews,  Alexander  Work. 

1795.  John  Huggins,  Musentine  Matthews,  Burgess  Gaither. 

1796.  David  White,  Burgess  Gaither,  Musentine  Matthews. 

1797.  David  Caldwell,  Musentine  Matthews,  Burgess  Gaither. 

1800.  Ephraim  Davidson,  Archibald  Sloan,  Burgess  Gaither. 

1801.  Ephraim  Davidson,  M.  Matthews,  Burgess  Gaither. 

1802.  Ephraim  Davidson,  Archil)ald  Sloan,  M.  Matthews. 

1803.  Ephraim  Davidson,  Archiband  Sloan,  George  L.  Davidson. 

1804.  David  Caldwell,  William  Young,  George  L.  Davidson. 

1805.  John  Huggins,  George  L.  Davidson,  William  Young. 

1806.  John  Huggins,  George  L.  Davidson,  Andrew  Caldwell. 

1807.  John  Huggins,  George  L.  Davidson,  Andrew  Caldwell. 

1808.  James  Hart,  George  L.  Davidson,  Andrew  Caldwell. 

1809.  James  Hart,  George  L.  Davidson,  Samuel  King. 

1810.  James  Hart,  Andrew  Caldwell,  George  L.  Davidson. 

1811.  Joseph  Guy,  George  L.  Davidson,  Samuel  King. 

1812.  Andrew  Caldwell,  Samuel  King,  James  Stewart. 

1813.  Andrew  Caldwell,  Samuel  King,  James  Stewart. 

1814.  Myles  Nesbitt,  Samuel  King,  James  Stewart. 

1815.  John  Huggins,  James  Stewart,  Samuel  King. 

1816.  James  Campbell,  Samuel  King,  David  F.  Caldwell. 


218  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1817.  Charles  D.  Conner,     David  F.  Caldwell,  Samuel  King. 

1818.  Charles  D.  Conner,     Samuel  King,  David  F.  Caldwell. 

1819.  Charles  D.  Conner,     Samuel  King,  David  F.  Caldwell. 

1820.  Charles  D.  Conner,     Azariah  Beall,  Theophilus  Falls. 

1821.  James  Campbell,         Asa  Beall,  James  Hill. 

1822.  Alexander  Torrence,  William  Harbin,  Asa  Beall. 

1823.  Alexander  Torrence,  James  Hill,  Asa  Beall. 

1824.  George  L.  Davidson,  A.  Beall,  James  Hill. 

1825.  George  L.  Davidson,  James  J.  Hill,  Alexander  Torrence. 

1826.  Samuel  King,  Richard  Allison,  Alexander  Torrence. 

1827.  Abner  Franklin,         "William  Falls,  William  J.  Summers. 

1828.  Abner  Franklin,         Eichard  Allison,  Joseph  M.  Bogle. 

1829.  Thomas  A.  Allison,    Joseph  M.  Bogle,  William  King. 

1830.  Pinckney  Caldwell,     Joseph  M.  Bogle,  Richard  Allison. 

1831.  Pinckney  Caldwell,     George  F.  Davidson,  Joseph  M.  Bogle.     • 

1832.  Thomas  A.  Allison,    Solomon  Lowdermilk,  George  F.  Davidson. 

1833.  Joseph  P.  Caldwell,    James  A.  King,  William  Potts. 

1834.  Joseph  P.  Caldwell,    Solomon  Lowdermilk,  James  A.  King. 

1835.  John  M.  Young,  James  A.  King,  Solomon  Lowdermilk. 

1836.  George  F.  Davidson,  James  A.  King,  Solomon  Lowdermilk,  Theo. 

H.  Campbell. 
1838.     George  F.  Davidson,  Joseph  P.  Caldwell,  John  A.  Young,  J,  H. 

McLaughlin. 
1840.    R.  H.  Parks,  Joseph  P.  Caldwell,  John  A.  Young,  J.  H. 

McLaughlin. 
1842.     Thomas  Allison,         Joseph  P.  Caldwell,  John  A.  Young,  J.  H. 

McLaughlin. 
1844.    Joseph  M.  Bogle,        Rufus   Reed,  William  Emmerson,  W.  W. 

George. 
1846.    Joseph  M.  Bogle,        Rufus  Reed,  W.  W.  George,  William   H. 

Haynes. 
1848.    George  F.  Davidson,  Robert  J.  ISIcDowell,  Campbell  Mcintosh, 

E.  M.  Campbell. 
1850.    George  F.  Davidson,  Joseph  M.  Bogle,  G.  G.  McKay,  E.  M.  Camp- 
bell. 


CHAPTER   XLII, 


JACKSON  COUNTY. 


Jackson  County  was  formed  in  1850,  from  Haywood  and  Ma- 
con, but  is  not  yet  organized. 


JOHNSTON  COUNTY.  219 


CHAPTER    XLIII, 


JOHNSTON  COUNTY. 


Johnston  County  was  formed  in  1746,  from  Craven  County,  and 
named  in  honor  of  Gabriel  Johnston,  who  was  Royal  Governor  at 
this  period.  He  was  a  man  of  learning,  and  did  much  to  advance 
the  interest  of  the  colony  over  which  he  presided,  and  the  happi- 
ness of  the  people.  His  character  and  services  have  been  already 
recorded.     (See  vol.  i.  page  45.) 

It  is  situated  about  the  centre  of  the  State.  Bounded  on  the 
north  by  Franklin,  Wake,  and  Nash,  on  the  east  by  Nash  and 
Wayne,  south  by  Wayne,  Sampson,  and  Cumberland,  and  on  the 
west  by 'Cumberland  and  Wake. 

Its  capital  is  Smithfield,  and  distant  twenty-seven  miles  south- 
east from  Raleigh. 

Its  population  is  8,900  whites;  4,663  slaves;  163  free  negroes;  11,860 
rejjiesentative  population. 

Its  products  are  337,797  bushels  of  corn;  9,262  bushels  of  wheat;  23,452 
bushels  of  oats;  401,169  pounds  of  cotton;  9,911  pounds  of  wool;  3,157 
barrels  of  turpentine. 

The  delegates  from  Johnston  to  ihat  band  of  patriots  which  convened  at 
Newbern  on  the  25th  of  August,  1775,  were  Needuam  Bryax  and  Benjamin- 
Williams. 

The  delegates  to  Hillsboro'  on  the  21st  of  August,  1775,  were  the  same, 
with  Samuel  Smith,  John  Smith,  and  William  Bryan. 

The  delegates  to  Halifax  on  the  4th  of  April,  1776,  were  Samuel  Smith,  Jr.. 
Needham  Bryan,  Jr.,  and  Henry  Rains. 

The  officers  appointed  by  the  Convention,  were  William  Bryan,  Colonel ; 
John  Smith,  Lieutenant-Colonel;  Samuel  Smith,  Major;  John  Stevens,  2d 
Major. 

Her  delegates  to  Halifax,  on  the  12th  of  November,  1776,  which  formed 
the  Constitution,  were  Needham  Bryan,  Jr.,  Samuel  Smith,  Jr.,  John 
Stevens,  Henry  Rains,  and  Alexander  Averyt. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Johnston  County,  from 
177T  to  1850. 

Years.  Senators.  House  of  Commons. 

1777.  Needham  Bryan,  Henry  Rains,  Alexander  Averyt. 

1778.  Arthur  Bryan,  William  Ward,  John  Bryan,  Jr. 

1779.  Arthur  Bryan,  Lewis  Bryan,  Philip  Raiford. 

1780.  Arthur  Bryan,  James  Lockhart,  John  Whitley. 

1781.  Benjamin  Williams,  Joseph  Boon,  Hardy  Bryan. 

1782.  Hardy  Bryan,  Arthur  Bryan,  Nathan  Williams. 

1783.  Hardy  Bryan,  Arthur  Bryan,  Nathan  AVilliams. 

1784.  Benjamin  Williams,  Joseph  Boon,  Kedar  Powell. 

1785.  Arthur  Bryan,  Hardy  Bryan,  Benjamin  Williams. 


220 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senators. 

1786.  Benjamin  Williams, 

1787.  Joseph  Boon, 

1788.  Arthur  Bryan, 

1789.  Arthur  Bryan, 

1790.  Arthur  Bryan, 

1791.  Thomas  Gray, 

1792.  Hardy  Bryan, 

1793.  Hardy  Bryan, 

1794.  Samuel  Smith, 

1795.  Samuel  Smith, 

1796.  Samuel  Smith, 

1797.  Samuel  Smith, 

1798.  Samuel  Smith, 

1799.  Samuel  Smith, 

1800.  Samuel  Smith, 

1801.  John  Williams, 

1802.  John  Williams, 

1803.  John  Williams, 

1804.  John  Williams, 

1805.  John  Williams, 

1806.  Samuel  Smith, 

1807.  Robert  Gulley,  Jr., 

1808.  John  Williams, 

1809.  John  Williams, 

1810.  John  Williams, 

1811.  John  Williams, 

1812.  Elick  Saunders, 

1813.  John  Williams, 

1814.  William  Bryan, 

1815.  AVilliam  Hinton, 

1816.  John  Williams, 

1817.  John  Williams, 

1818.  Reuben  Saunders, 

1819.  Jesse  Adams, 

1821.  Joseph  Richardson, 

1822.  Joseph  Richardson, 

1823.  John  McLeod, 

1824.  John  McLeod, 

1825.  Reuben  Saunders, 

1826.  Reuben  Saunders, 

1827.  David  Thomson, 

1828.  David  Thomson, 

1829.  Reuben  Saunders, 

1830.  Ilillory  Wilder, 

1831.  David  Thompson, 

1832.  Hillory  Wilder, 

1833.  Hillory  Wilder, 

1834.  Hillory  Wilder, 

1835.  Josiah  Houlder, 

1836.  Josiah  Houlder, 
1838.  Josiah  Houlder, 
1840.  Josiah  Houlder, 
1842.  James  Tomlinson, 
1844.  James  Tomlinson, 
1846.  James  Tomlinson, 
1848.  William  H.  Watson, 
1850.  William  11.  Watson, 


House  of  Commons. 
William  Averyt,  Needham  Bryan. 
Everett  Pierce,  Wm.  Bridges. 
AVm.  Ward,  John  Bryan,  Jr. 
Benjamin  Williams,  John  Bryan,  Jr. 
Matthias  Handy,  Hardy  Bryan. 
Everett  Pierce,  Lovard  Bryan. 
Everett  Pierce,  Lovard  Bryan. 
Needham  Bryan,  Joseph  Ingram. 
John  Whitley,  Richard  Rivers. 
Everett  Pierce,  John  Whitley. 
Matthias  Handy,  Richard  Rivers. 
Matthias  Handy,  John  Williams. 
John  Williams,  Joseph  Ingram. 
John  Williams,  Calvin  Jones. 
John  Williams,  Joseph  Ingram. 
John  A.  Smith,  Richard  Rivers. 
Calvin  Jones,  John  A.  Smith. 
Edwin  Smith,  J.  Sanders. 
John  A.  Smith,  Isaac  Williams. 
John  A.  Smith,  Joseph  Ingram. 
Robert  Gulley,  John  Sanders. 
Joseph  Richardson,  John  Boon,  -Jr. 
Joseph  Richardson,  Joseph  Boon. 
Samuel  Narsworthy,  Joseph  Richardson. 
Samuel  Narsworthy,  Henry  Guy. 
Henry  Guy,  Samuel  Narsworthy. 
Joseph  Ingram,  Wm.  Bryan. 
William  Bryan,  Jesse  Adams, 
Jesse  Adams,  John  A.  Smith. 
Jesse  Adams,  Henry  Bryan. 
Jesse  Adams,  Henry  Bryan. 
Henry  Bryan,  Jesse  Adams. 
Robert  II.  Helme,  John  Atkinson. 
Philip  Raiford,  Henry  Bryan. 
John  McLeod,  Hillory  Wilder. 
Hardy  Adams,  Samuel  Lee. 
Robert  H.  Helme,  Hillory  Wilder. 
Hillory  Wilder,  Robert  H.  Helme. 
Kenchen  Q.  Adams,  Hillory  Wilder. 
Hillory  Wilder,  .Josiah  0.  Watson. 
Hillory  Wilder,  K.  Q.  Adams. 
Hillory  Wilder,  K.  Q.  Adams. 
Hillory  Wilder,  K.  Q.  Adams. 
Josiah  Houlder,  Kedar  Whitley. 
Josiah  Houlder,  Kedar  Whitley. 
John  McLeod,  .Josiah  Houlder. 
John  McLeod,  Josiah  Houlder. 
James  Tomlinson,  Kedar  Whitley. 
James  Tomlinson,  Kedar  Whitley. 
James  Tomlinson,  Kedar  AVhitley. 
John  F.  Ellington,  James  Tomlinson. 
Jesse  Adams,  James  Tomlinson. 
Lunsford  Richardson,  Kedar  Whitley. 
Jesse  Adams,  Lunsford  Richardson. 
Lunsford  Richardson,  Ashly  Saunders. 
A.  J.  Leach,  Linn  B.  Saunders. 
A.  J.  Leach,  Linn  B,  Saunders. 


JONES  COUNTY.  221 


CHAPTER    XLIV: 


JONES  COUNTY. 


Jones  County  was  formed  in  1779,  from  Craven,  and  called  in 
compliment  of  Wilie  Jones,  wlio  was  so  distinguished  a  patriot  and 
useful  a  representative. 

It  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  hounded  on 
the  north  and  east  by  Craven,  south  by  Carteret  and  Onslow,  and 
west  by  Lenoir  and  Duplin. 

Its  capital  is  Trenton,  and  distant  from  Raleigh  one  hundred  and 

twenty -nine  miles  east. 

Its  population  is  2,139  whites;  2,757  slaves;  142  free  negroes;  3,935  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  products  are  1,150,208  pounds  of  cotton  ;  6,184  pounds  of  wool ;  223,520 
bushels  of  corn  ;  8,705  bushels  of  oats  ;  6,810  bushels  of  rye  ;  5,204  bushels  of 
wheat ;  15,850  bbls.  of  turpentine  ;  490  bbls.  of  fish. 

Its  colonial  and  revolutionary  history  is  connected  with  that  of 
Craven,  from  which,  since  the  Revolution,  it  was  taken,  and  to  which 
the  reader  is  referred. 

Hon.  Nathan  Bryan,  of  this  county,  was  a  man  of  piety  and  usefulness.  • 
In  1791  he  represented  this  county  in  the  House  of  Commons.  In  1794  he 
was  elected  to  represent  the  Newbern  District  in  Congress,  and  re-elected 
in  1796.  He  died  while  in  Congress  (in  1798,  at  Philadelphia,)  and  was 
buried  in  the  Baptist  Meeting-house  yard  in  Philadelphia.  He  was  a  sincere 
Christian,  and  a  leading  man  among  the  Baptists. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Jones  County : — 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1782.  Abner  Nash. 

1783.  Frederick  Hargett,  Wm.  Randall. 

1785.  Abner  Nash,  John  Isler. 

1786.  Fred.  Hargett,  William  Piandall,  John  Isler. 

1787.  Fred.  Hargett,  Nathan  Bryan,  William  Randall. 

1788.  Fred.  Hargett,  William  Randall,  John  Hill  Bryan. 

1791.  Fred.  Hargett,  Nathan  Bryan,  Edward  Bryan. 

1792.  Fred.  Hargett,  Edward  Bryan,  Nathan  Bryan. 

1793.  Fred.  Hargett,  Nathan  Bryan,  Joseph  Hatch. 

1794.  John  Isler,  Nathan  Bryan,  George  Pollock. 

1795.  John  Isler,  William  Bush,  Benjamin  Fordham. 

1796.  John  Hatch,  William  Bush,  Benjamin  Fordham. 

1797.  John  Hatch,  William  Bush,  Amos  Johnson. 

1798.  Edmund  Hatch,  Amos  Simmonds,  Benj.  Harrison. 

1799.  Edmund  Hatch,  Benj.  Fordham,  Amos  Johnston. 

1800.  Durant  Hatch,  Amos  Johnston,  John  T.  Bryan. 

1801.  Durant  Hatch,  Amos  Johnston,  Thos.  Dudley. 

1802.  Duraut  Hatch,  Benjamin  Fordham,  John  Isler. 


000 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years  Senate. 

1803.  Durant  Hatch, 

180^.  Durant  Hatch, 

1805.  Durant  Hatch, 

1806.  Durant  Hatch, 

1807.  Enoch  Foy, 

1808.  Enoch  Foy, 

1809.  Durant  Hatch, 

1810.  Benjamin  Simmons, 

1811.  Durant  Hatch, 

1812.  Durant  Hatch, 

1813.  Enoch  Foy, 

1814.  Christ.  Bryan, 

1815.  James  Shine, 

1816.  James  Shine, 

1817.  John  Simmons, 

1818.  Lewis  Foscue, 

1819.  Lewis  Foscue, 

1820.  Durant  Hatch, 

1821.  Durant  Hatch, 

1822.  Durant  Hatch, 

1823.  Durant  Hatch, 

1824.  Risden  McDaniel, 

1825.  Piisden  McDaniel, 

1826.  Eisden  McDaniel, 

1827.  Ptisden  McDaniel, 

1828.  Risden  McDaniel, 

1829.  Risden  McDaniel, 

1830.  Risden  McDaniel, 

1831.  Risden  McDaniel, 

1832.  James  Harrison, 

1833.  James  Harrison, 

1834.  James  Harrison, 

1835.  James  Harrison, 

1836.  James  W.  Bryan, 
1838.  Enoch  Foy, 
1840.  Isaac  Hellen, 
1842.  Jas.  W.  Howard, 
1844.  Isaac  Hellen, 
1846.  James  W.  Howard, 
1848.  E.  S.  Bell, 

1850.  M.  F.  Arendell, 


House  of  Commons. 
Benjamin  Fordham,  Enoch  Foy. 
Benjamin  Fordham,  Enoch  Foy. 
Edward  Bryan,  Thos.  P.  Ives. 
Thos.  P.  Ives,  Frederick  Foscue. 
Jas.  C.  Bryan,  Edmund  Hatch. 
Jas.  C.  Bryan,  Edmund  Hatch. 
Jas.  C.  Bryan,  Leander  Simmons. 
Christopher  Bryan,  Jas.  C.  Bryan. 
Edmund  Hatch,  Christopher  Bryan. 
Josiah  Howard,  Christ.  Bryan. 
Jas.  C.  Bryan,  Christ.  Bryan. 
Wm.  Daniel,  Hardy  Perry. 
Hardy  Perry,  Wm.  McDaniel. 
John  B.  ^y.  Smith,  Wm.  McDaniel. 
Wm.  McDaniel,  John  B.  W.  Smith. 
Risden  McDaniel,  McLindall  Jarman. 
R.  McDaniel,  Edmund  Hatch. 
R.  McDaniel,  Emanuel  Jarman. 
Emanuel  Jarman,  Risden  McDaniel. 
R.  McDaniel,  Emanuel  Jarman. 
R.  McDaniel,  Emanuel  Jarman. 
Emanuel  Jarman,  L.  H.  Simmons. 
Leml.  H.  Simmons,  James  N.  Smith. 
Owen  B.  Cox,  Enoch  Foy. 
O.  B.  Cox,  Enoch  Foy. 
0.  B.  Cox,  Enoch  Foy. 
q.  B.  Cox,  Alfred  Stanly. 
Nathan  B.  Bush. 
O.  B.  Cox,  James  W.  Howard. 
Nathan  Foscue,  John  II.  Hammond. 
Nathan  Foscue,  John  H.  Hammond. 
Nathan  Foscue,  John  II.  Hammond. 
John  H.  Hammond,  Jas.  W.  Howard. 
James  W.  Howard. 
William  Huggins. 
William  Huggins. 
Calvin  Koonce. 
Calvin  Koonce. 
William  Foy. 
Calvin  Koonce. 
B.  F.  Simmons. 


LENOIR  COUNTY.  223 


CHAPTER  XLV. 


LENOIR  COUNTY. 


Lenoir  County  was  formed  in  1791. 

Lobbs  County  Tvas  formed  from  Johnston,  in  1758,  in  honor  of 
Arthur  Dobbs,  then  the  Royal  Governor  of  the  Province.  In 
1791,  Dobbs  was  divided  into  Lenoir  and  Glasgow ;  the  latter,  in 
1799,  was  changed  into  Greene.  It  was  called  in  honor  of  Gen. 
William  Lenoir,  of  Wilkes  County,  who  was  distinguished  for  his 
revolutionary  and  civil  services  :  for  whose  biography  see  Wilkes 
County,  Chapter  LXXX. 

It  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Greene,  east  By  Pitt  and  Jones,  south  by  Duplin  and 
Jones,  and  west  by  Duplin  and  Wayne  Counties. 

Its  capital  is  Kingston,  distant  eighty  miles  east  of  Raleigh. 

Richard  Caswell  lived  in  this  county  and  lies  buried  in  it.  His  charac- 
ter, life,  and  services,  have  been  recorded.* 

Hardy  B.  Croom  was  a  resident  of  this  county  and  represented  it  in  the 
Senate  in  1828.  He  was  born  in  1798,  educated  at  the  University,  and 
graduated  in  1816  ;  read  law  with  Judge  Gaston,  and  was  distinguished  for 
his  deep  and  varied  acquirements  as  a  scholar,  and  his  kind  and  courteous 
bearing  as  a  gentleman.  He  married  Miss  Smith,  of  Newbern.  He  and  his 
family  perished  in  the  shipwreck  of  the  steamer  Home,  9th  October,  1837, 
off  the  coast  of  North  Carolina,  on  his  return  from  New  York. 

Hon.  Wm.  B.  Moselt,  at  present  a  resident  of  Florida  and  late  Governor 
of  that  State,  is  a  native  of  Lenoir. 

He  was  educated  at  Chapel  Hill  and  graduated  in  1818,  of  which  class 
was  James  K.  Polk.  He  represented  Lenoir  County  in  the  Senate  of  the 
State  Legislature  in  1829,  and  continuously  until  1838,  when  he  removed  to 
Florida. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Lenoir  County,  from 
the  formation  of  the  County  to  1851. 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1792.  Joshua  Croom,  Isaac  Croom,  Wm.  White. 

1793.  William  Croom,  Isaac  Croom,  Wm.  White. 

1794.  William  Croom,  AYm.  White,  Isaac  Croom. 

1795.  William  Croom,  Henry  Goodman,  Simon  Bruton. 

1796.  William  White,  Shadrach  Wooten,  Robert  Collier. 

1797.  AYIUIam  White,  Henry  Goodman,  Robert  Collier. 

1798.  William  Bush,  Benjamin  Fordham,  Amos  Johnson. 

*  See  vol.  i.  87. 


224 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

1800.  Simon  Bruton, 

1801.  Simon  Bruton, 

1802.  Simon  Bruton, 

1803.  Simon  Bruton, 

1804.  Simon  Bruton, 

1805.  AViUiam  Croom, 

1806.  William  Groom, 

1807.  William  Croom, 

1808.  Simon  Bruton, 

1809.  Simon  Bruton, 

1810.  James  Bright, 

1811.  James  Bright, 

1812.  James  Bright, 

1813.  Simon  Bruton, 

1814.  Simon  Bruton, 

1815.  Jesse  II.  Croom, 

1816.  Joseph  Loften, 

1817.  Simon  Bruton, 

1818.  Simon  Bruton, 

1819.  Joseph  Loften, 

1820.  Joseph  Loften, 

1821.  Abraham  Croom, 

1822.  Nathan  B.  Whitfield, 

1823.  Nathan  B.  Whitfield, 

1824.  John  Williams, 

1825.  Nathan  B.  Whitfield, 

1826.  Isaac  Croom, 

1827.  Nathan  B.  Whitfield, 

1828.  Hardy  B.  Croom, 

1829.  Wm.  D.  Moseley, 

1830.  Wm.  D.  Moseley, 

1831.  Wm.  D.  Moseley, 

1832.  Wm.  D.  Moseley, 

1833.  Wm.  D.  Moseley, 

1834.  Wm.  D.  Moseley, 

1835.  AVm.  D.  Moseley, 

1836.  AVm.  D.  Moseley, 
1838.  Wm.  D.  Moseley, 
1840.  James  B.  Whitfield, 
1842.  Edwin  G.  Speight, 
1844.  Edwin  G.  Speight, 
1846.  Edwin  G.  Speight, 
1848.  Edwin  G.  Speight, 
1850.  Edwin  G  .  Speight, 


House  of  Commons. 
Hardy  Croom,  Wm.  Easterling, 
Shadrach  Wooten,  Benj.  Witherington. 
Benj.  Witherington,  Wm.  Goodman. 
James  Bright,  Allen  Wooten. 
James  Bright,  Lazarus  Pierce. 
James  Bright,  Lazarus  Pierce. 
James  Bright,  Lazarus  Pierce. 
Rigdon  White,  John  Wooten. 
John  Wooten,  Wm.  Branton. 
John  Wooten,  Lazarus  Pierce. 
Francis  Kilpatrick,  Alexander  Moseley. 
Francis  Kilpatrick,  Alexander  Moseley. 
Abraham  Croom,  Joseph  Loften. 
Francis  Kilpatrick,  Joseph  Loften. 
Joseph  Loften,  Nathan  Byrd. 
Joseph  Loften,  Nathan  Byrd. 
Joshua  Moseley,  Blount  Coleman. 
James  Cox,  Joshua  Moseley. 
John  Whitfield,  John  Williams. 
James  Cox,  John  Williams. 

Abraham  Croom,  John  Cobb. 

Isaac  Tull,  Nathan  B.  Whitfield. 

Wm.  B.  Kilpatrick,  James  Cox. 

Isaac  Croom,  W.  B.  Kilpatrick. 

James  Cox,  R.  W.  Goodman. 

Jesse  Lassiter,  James  Cox. 

Jas.  Cox,  W.  B.  Kilpatrick. 

W.  B.  Kilpatrick,  Geo.  Whitfield. 

Geo.  Whitfield,  W.  B.  Kilpatrick. 

Allen  W.  Wooten,  Council  Wooten. 

Allen  W.  Wooten,  Council  Wooten. 

Council  Wooten,  A,  W.  Wooten. 

A.  W.  Wooten,  Council  Wooten. 

Blount  Coleman,  Pinckney  Hardie. 

Geo.  Whitfield,  Windall  Davis. 

Windall  Davis,  Council  Wooten. 

Windall  Davis. 

Windall  Davis. 

Windall  Davis. 

Windall  Davis. 

Jesse  Jackson. 

Jesse  Jackson. 

Council  Wooten. 

William  Sutton. 


LINCOLN  COUNTY.  225 


CHAPTER   XLVI, 


LINCOLN  COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation — Oi-igin  of  name — Situation  and  boundaries — Population 
and  products — Colonial  and  Revolutionary  history — The  association  of  the 
people — Battle  at  Kamsour's  Mill,  between  the  Tories  under  Colonel  Moore, 
and  the  Whigs  under  Colonel  Locke,  Captain  Falls,  and  others,  on  20th 
June,  1780,  from  the  pen  of  General  Joseph  Graham — Route  of  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  through  this  county,  in  Feb.,  1781 — Biographical  sketches  of  her 
sons,  Joseph  Graham,  Peter  Forney,  Jacob  Forney,  Abram  Forney,  John 
Brevard,  Michael  Hoke,  and  others,  and  a  list  of  her  members  of  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly. 

Lincoln  County  was  formerly  called  Tryon,  in  honor  of  William 
Tryon,  the  Royal  Governor ;  but  whose  odious  oppressions  caused 
the  General  Assembly  to  blot  out  his  name,  and  in  1779  to  divide 
this  territory  into  Lincoln  and  Rutherford.  Governor  Tryon's  life 
and  character  have  already  been  described.* 

Lincoln  County  was  so  called  in  honor  of  Benjamin  Lincoln,  who, 
at  the  time  of  its  formation,  was  fighting  the  battles  of  his  country 
against  the  British  at  Charleston. 

Benjamin  Lincoln  was  born  JaA.  23d,  1733,  at  Hingham,  about  thirteen 
miles  from  Boston.  He  was  appointed,  in  Feb.,  1777,  Major-General  in  the 
Revolutionary  Army,  and  served  with  General  Gates  at  Stillwater,  on  Oct. 
7th,  1777,  which  campaign  terminated  so  gloriously  to  American  arms.  In 
this  battle  he  was  wounded,  and  suffered  severely  for  several  months.  He 
joined  the  army  in  August,  1778. 

At  the  request  of  the  delegation  in  Congress  from  South  Carolina,  he  was 
appointed  by  Congress  to  command  the  Army  in  the  south.  He  arrived  at 
Charleston  in  Dec,  1778,  and  actively  engaged  in  his  important  duties.  On 
the  2d  of  March,  1779,  General  Ashe  was  defeated  at  Brier  Creek,  on  the 
Savannah  River,  by  which  General  Lincoln  lost  one-fourth  of  his  Army. 

On  the  20th,  he  attacked  the  British  at  Stono,  a  warm  action  ensued,  num- 
bers killed  on  each  side,  but  this  action  was  not  decisive. 

On  the  9th  of  October,  with  Count  D'Estaing  and  a  large  French  force,  he 
attacked  the  enemy  at  Savannah,  a  successful  and  bloody  conflict ;  after  which 
D'Estaing  returned  to  the  West  Indies,  and  Lincoln  to  Charleston. 

Closely  besieged  by  Sir  Henry  Clinton  and  Admiral  Arbuthnot,  on  the  12th 
of  May,  1780,  Lincoln  was  forced  to  surrender  that  post  and  the  Army  to  the 
Britisii.  His  reputation  as  an  officer  and  as  a  man  suffered  no  detriment  from 
this  vicissitude  of  war,  for  his  force  was  inadequate  either  for  achievement  or 
defence  ;  but  with  it  he  baffled  for  three  months,  the  greatly  superior  force 
of  the  enemy. 

Being  exchanged  for  Major-General  Phillips,  in  the  spring  of  1781,  he  with 
joy  joined  the  standard  of  his  country;  and,  with  Washington,  was  engaged 
in  the  glorious  surrender  of  the  British  at  Yorktown,  Oct.  19th,  1781,  and  was 
selected  by  Washington  for  the  honor  of  receiving  the  conquered  arms  of  the 
English. 

*  Vol  i.  49. 


226  HISTOEY  OP  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

This  closed  the  war.  He  was  appointed  Secretary  of  War,  in  1781,  with 
permission  to  retain  his  rank  in  the  Army,  but  he  soon  resigned  the  laws  of 
State  for  the  pleasure  of  retirement,  and  after  frequent  and  honorable  employ- 
ments he  died  in  the  house  in  wJiich  he  teas  born,  on  the  9th  of  May,  1810. 
Worthy  is  his  name  to  be  preserved  in  a  portion  of  the  finest  part  of  our  State. 

Lincoln  County  is  situated  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  and 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Catawba  County,  east  by  the  Catawba 
River,  which  separates  it  from  Iredell  and  Mecklenburg,  south  by 
Gaston  County,  and  west  by  Cleaveland. 

Its  capital  is  Lincolnton,  and  is  one  hundred  and  seventy-three 
miles  west  of  Raleigh. 

Its  population  is  5,661  whites ;  2,055  slaves  ;  30  free  negroes  ;  6,924  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  products  are  1,479,396  pounds  of  cotton ;  24,494  pounds  of  wool ;  787,225 
bushels  of  corn;  185,373  bushels  of  wheat;  84,324  bushels  of  oats;  4,800 
bushels  of  Rye  ;  25,000  pounds  of  tobacco  ;  840  tons  of  iron. 

As  Tryon  County,  Lincoln  sent  to  that  band  of  patriots  in  Newbern,  on 
Aug.  25th,  1774,  David  Jexkixs  and  Robert  Alexander. 

And  to  Hillsboro',  on  Aug.  21st,  1775,  John  Walker,  Robert  Alexander, 
Joseph  Harden,  William  Graham,  Frederick  Hambright,  and  William 
Kennon. 

To  Halifax,  Xov.  12th,  1776  (which  body  formed  our  Constitution),  Joseph 
Harden,  Robert  Abernethf,  William  Graham,  William  Alston,  and  John 
Barber. 

There  is  no  poi'tion  of  our  State  whose  territory  was  the  more  immediate 
scene  of  our  revolutionary  struggles  than  Lincoln.  Once  a  portion  of  Meck- 
lenburg, it  was  a  genuine  swarm  from  "  The  Hornet's  Nest." 

In  August,  1775,  the  following  association  was  drawn  up  and  ordered  to 
be  signed  by  every  freeholder  in  the  county. 

It  was  found  among  the  papers  of  General  William  Graham,  of  Rutherford, 
and  recently  published  in  the  North  Carolina  Spectator,  in  Rutherfordton. 
It  is  also  noticed  in  Jones'  Defence  of  North  Carolina:* — 

"An  Association. 

"  The  unprecedented,  barbarous  and  bloody  actions  committed  by  the  British 
troops  on  our  American  brethren  near  Boston,  on  19th  April  and  20th  of 
May  last,  together  with  the  hostile  operations  and  treacherous  designs  now 
carrying  on  by  the  tools  of  Ministerial  vengeance,  for  the  subjugation  of  all 
British  xVmerica,  suggest  to  us  the  painful  necessity  of  having  recourse  to 
arms  for  the  preservation  of  those  rights  and  liberties  which  the  principles  of 
our  Constitution  and  the  laws  of  God,  nature,  and  nations  have  made  it  our 
duty  to  defend.  We,  therefore,  the  subscribers,  freeholders  and  inhabitants 
of  Tryon  County,  do  hereby  faithfully  unite  ourselves  under  the  most  solemn 
ties  of  religion,  honor,  and  love  to  our  country,  firmly  to  resist  force  by  force, 
in  defence  of  our  national  freedom  and  constitutional  rights,  against  all  in- 
vasions, and  at  the  same  time  do  solemnly  engage  to  take  up  arms  and  risk  our 
lives  and  our  fortunes,  in  maintaining  the  freedom  of  our  country  whenever  the 
wisdom  and  counsel  of  the  Continental  Congress  or  our  Provincial  Conven- 
tion shall  declare  it  necessary;  and  this  engagement  we  will  continue  in  and 
hold  sacred  till  a  reconciliation  shall  take  place  between  Great  Britain  and 
America  on  constitutional  principles,  which  we  most  ardently  desire,  and  do 
firmly  agree  to  hold  all  such  persons  as  inimical  to  the  liberties  of  America 
who  shall  refuse  to  sign  this  association." 
Signed  by 

John  Walker,  Jacob  Forney, 

Charles  McLean,  Joab  Turner, 

Thomas  Beatty,  Samuel  Loften, 

Frederick  Hambright,  and  others. 

*  See  Jones'  Defence  of  North  Carolina,  p.  81. 


LINCOLN  COUNTY.  227 

Let  it  be  remembered  that  this  association  was  signed  nearly  twelve  months 
before  Congress  declared  independence. 

It  was  on  the  20th  June,  1780,  that  the  celebrated  battle  of  Ramsour's  Mill, 
near  Lincolnton,  was  fought,  and  as  it  has  been  described  by  one  who  knew 
all  the  actors,  and  a  resident  of  this  ground  (General  Joseph  Graham),  I  copy 
his  valuable  account  of  this  affair  as  he  himself  has  recorded  it : — 

BATTLE  OP  ramsour's  MILL — FOUGHT  (tUESDAY)  THE  20tH  OP  JUNE,  1780. 

An  account  of  the  battle  at  Ramsour's  Mill  was  ptiblished  several  years  since  in 
the  papers  of  this  State,  but,  as  it  contained  several  errors,  the  author  {Gen. 
Joseph  Graham)  transmitted  to  Lemuel  Bingham,  Esq.,  a  coii-ected  copy, 
which  was  published  in  the  Catawba  Journal,  printed  at  Charlotte,  February 
1st,  1825. 

The  unsuccessful  attempt  made  by  Gen.  Lincoln  to  take  Savannah,  and  the 
subsequent  capture  of  the  array  under  his  command,  inspired  the  Royalists 
with  hope,  and  induced  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  regard  the  States  of  Georgia 
and  South  Carolina  as  i"e-annexed  to  the  croAvn.  The  South  was  left  destitute 
of  any  regular  military  force  to  support  the  cause  of  the  Revolution — there 
were  no  regular  troops  south  of  Pennsylvania  to  oppose  the  British  or  to 
keep  the  Tories  in  awe.  Within  a  few  weeks  after  the  surrender  of  Charles- 
ton, detachments  of  British  troops  occupied  the  principal  posts  of  Georgia 
and  South  Carolina.  Lieut.-Col.  Brown  marched  up  the  Savannah  River 
and  re-occupied  Augusta  ;  Lieut.-Col.  Balfour  took  possession  of  Ninety-Sis 
on  the  Wateree  ;  and  Lord  Cornwallis  pushed  forward  to  Camden.  The  object 
of  this  last  movement  was  threefold ;  one,  to  intercept  the  retreat  of  Colonel 
Buford,  who  had  been  hastening  with  a  few  Continental  troops  to  the  relief 
of  General  Lincoln  at  Charleston ;  the  second,  to  open  an  easy  communication 
with  the  Scottish  settlements  on  the  Pee  Dee,  Drowning  Creek,  and  Cape 
Fear ;  the  third,  to  keep  in  check  the  Whigs  of  the  Waxhaw  settlement  on 
the  Catawba  and  of  the  south-western  counties  of  North  Carolina.  The  effect 
which  these  movements  were  calculated  to  produce  upon  the  public  mind 
was  increased  by  the  defeat  of  Col.  Buford  and  the  slaughter  of  his  men. 
The  States  of  Georgia  and  South  Carolina  yielded  submission  to  royal  autho- 
rity, and  the  commander-in-chief.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  embarked  with  the 
main  army  for  New  York,  leaving  only  four  thousand  troops  for  the  Southern 
service.  The  command  devolved  on  Lord  Cornwallis,  who  immediately  re- 
paired to  Charleston  to  establish  such  commercial  regulations  as  the  new 
state  of  things  required,  and  to  arrange  the  civil  administration  of  the  State, 
leaving  Lord  Rawdon  in  command  at  Camden.  North  Carolina  had  not  yet 
been  invaded,  and  the  hopes  of  the  Revolution  in  the  South  seemed  to  rest 
on  the  efforts  which  she  should  make. 

Charleston  surrendered  on  the  12th  of  May,  1780.  On  the  29th  of  that 
month,  Tarleton  defeated  Buford  on  the  Waxhaw  settlement,  forty  miles 
south  of  Charlotte,  in  North  Carolina.  Brigadier-Gen.  Rutherford  ordered 
out  the  militia  en  masse,  and,  by  the  third  of  June,  nearly  nine  hundred  men 
assembled  near  Charlotte.  On  that  day  intelligence  was  received  that  Tarle- 
ton was  on  his  return  to  Camden,  and  on  the  next  day  the  militia,  after  having 
been  harangued  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  McWhorter,  President  of  the  College  at 
Charlotte,  were  dismissed  by  Gen.  Rutherford,  with  orders  to  have  their 
arms  in  good  repair  and  be  in  readiness  for  another  call.  Major  Davie  (after- 
wards Gen.  Davie)  having  recovered  from  the  wounds  received  at  Stono, 
again  took  the  field,  and  part  of  his  cavalry  were  ordered  to  reconnoitre 
between  Charlotte  and  Camden. 

On  the  3d  of  June  Gen.  Rutherford  was  informed  of  the  advance  of  a  part 
of  the  troops  under  Lord  Rawdon,  to  Waxhaw  Creek,  thirty  miles  south  of 
Charlotte,  and  issued  orders  for  the  militia  to  rendezvous  on  the  10th,  at  Ree'a 
plantation,  eighteen  miles  north-east  of  Charlotte.  The  militia,  to  the  num- 
ber of  eight  hundred,  promptly  assembled  on  the  12th.  Having  heard  that 
Lord  Rawdon  hud  retired  to  Hanging  Rock,  Gen.  Rutherford  advanced  ten 
miles  to  Mallard  Creek. 


228  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

On  the  14th  the  troops  under  his  command  were  organized.  The  cavalry, 
sixty-five  in  number,  under  Major  Davie,  were  equipped  as  dragoons,  and 
formed  in  two  troops  under  Captains  Simmons  and  Martin.  A  battalion  of 
three  hundred  light  infantry  was  placed  under  the  command  of  Col.  Wm. 
P.  Davidson,  a  regular  officer,  who  could  not  join  his  regiment  in  Charleston 
after  that  place  was  invested,  and  now  joined  the  militia. 

Five  hundred  men  remained  under  the  immediate  command  of  General 
Rutherford.  On  the  evening  of  the  14th  he  received  intelligence  that  the 
Tories  were  embodying  in  arms  beyond  the  Catawba  River,  in  Tryon  County, 
about  forty  miles  to  the  north-west  of  his  then  position.  He  issued  orders 
to  Col.  Francis  Locke,  of  Rowan,  Major  David  Wilson,  of  Mecklenburg ;  to 
Captains  Falls  and  Brandon,  and  also  to  other  ofllcers,  to  make  every  effort 
to  raise  men  to  disperse  the  Tories,  it  being  deemed  impolitic  by  General 
Rutherford  to  weaken  his  own  force,  until  the  object  of  Lord  Rawdon's  ex- 
pedition was  better  ascertained. 

On  the  15th  Gen.  Rutherford  advanced  two  miles  to  the  south  of  Char- 
lotte. On  the  17th  he  was  informed  that  Lord  Rawdon  had  retired  towards 
Camden,  and  the  Tories  were  assembled  in  force  at  Ramsour's  Mill,  near  the 
south  fork  of  the  Catawba.  A  man  by  the  name  of  John  Moore,  whose 
father  and  family  resided  about  six  miles  from  Ramsour's  Mill,  had  joined 
the  British  army  the  preceding  winter,  and  leaving  the  detachment  under 
Cornwallis,  on  the  march  from  Charleston  to  Camden,  he  arrived  at  his 
father's  on  the  7th  of  June,  wearing  a  sword  and  an  old  tattered  suit  of 
regimentals.  He  announced  himself  as  a  Lieut.-Col.  of  the  regiment  of 
North  Carolina  Loyalists,  commanded  by  Col.  John  Hamilton,  of  Halifax 
County.  He  gave  to  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  the  first  particular  ac- 
count they  had  received  of  the  siege  and  capture  of  Charleston,  and  the  ad- 
vance of  the  British  troops  to  Camden.  He  appointed  the  10th  of  June  for 
an  assembling  of  the  people  in  the  woods  on  Indian  Creek,  seven  miles  from 
Ramsour's.  Forty  men  assembled,  and  Moore  told  them  that  it  was  not  the 
wish  of  Lord  Cornwallis  that  they  should  embody  at  that  time,  but  that  they 
and  all  other  loyal  subjects  should  hold  themselves  in  readiness,  and  in  the 
mean  time  get  in  their  harvest,  that  before  the  getting  in  of  the  harvest  it 
would  be  difficult  to  procure  provisions  for  the  British  army;  and  that  as 
soon  as  the  country  could  furnish  subsistence  to  the  army,  it  would  advance 
into  Xorth  Carolina,  and  support  the  Royalists. 

Before  this  meeting  broke  up  an  express  arrived  to  inform  them  that 
Major  Joseph  McDowell,  of  Burke  County,  with  twenty  men,  was  within 
eight  miles  of  them,  in  search  of  some  of  the  principal  persons  of  their 
party.  Confident  of  their  strength,  they  resolved  to  attack  McDowell,  but 
some  preparations  being  necessary,  they  could  not  march  until  next  morn- 
ing, when  finding  he  had  retired  they  pursued  him  to  the  ledge  of  mountains 
which  separate  the  counties  of  Lincoln  and  Burke,  and  not  being  able  to 
overtake  him,  Moore  directed  them  to  return  home  and  meet  him  on  the  13th 
at  Ramsour's.  On  that  day  two  hundred  men  met  Moore,  and  they  were 
joined  on  the  next  day  by  many  others,  among  whom  was  Nicholas  Welch, 
a  Major  in  the  regiment  commanded  by  Col.  Hamilton.  He  had  lived  in  that 
neighborhood,  and  had  joined  the  British  army  eighteen  months  before.  He 
was  directly  from  the  army  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  and  gave  information  of  Col. 
Buford's  defeat.  He  wore  a  rich  suit  of  regimentals,  and  exhibited  a  con- 
siderable number  of  guineas,  by  which  he  sought  to  allure  some,  while  he  en- 
deavored to  intimidate  others  by  an  account  of  the  success  of  the  British  army 
in  all  operations  of  the  South,  and  the  total  inability  of  the  Whigs  to  make 
further  opposition.  His  conduct  had  the  desired  effect,  and  much  more  confi- 
dence was  placed  in  him  than  in  Colonel  Moore.  They  remained  in  camp 
until  the  20th,  during  which  time  a  detachment  commanded  by  Col.  Moore 
made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  capture  Col.  Hugh  Brevard  and  Major 
Joseph  McDowell,  each  of  whom  came  into  the  neighborhood  with  a  number 
of  Whigs  to  harass  the  Tories  who  were  assembling. 

By  the  20th,  nearly  thirteen  hundred  men  had  assembled  at  Ramsour's, 
one-fourth  of  whom  were  without  arms.     Gen,  Rutherford  resolved  to  con- 


LINCOLN  COUNTY.  229 

centrate  his  force  and  attack  them  as  soon  as  he  learned  that  Lord  Rawdoa 
had  retired  to  Camden,  With  this  view  he  marched  on  Sunday  the  18th, 
from  his  camp  south  of  Charlotte,  to  the  Tuckasege  Ford  on  the  Catawba 
River,  twelve  miles  nearer  to  Ramsour's.  In  the  evening  of  that  day  he 
dispatched  an  express  to  Col.  Locke,  advising  him  of  his  movement,  and  of 
the  enemy's  strength,  and  ordering  Locke  to  join  him  on  the  19th  in  the  even- 
ing or  on  the  20th  in  the  morning,  a  few  miles  in  advance  of  the  Tuckasege 
Ford.  The  express  was  neglected  and  did  not  reach  Col.  Locke.  The  morn- 
ing of  the  19th  was  wet,  and  the  arms  of  Gen.  Rutherford's  men  were  out 
of  order.  At  mid-day  the  weather  cleared  up,  and  orders  were  given  to  the 
men  to  discharge  their  guns.  This  discharge  produced  an  alarm  in  the 
neighborhood,  and  the  people  thinking  the  Tories  were  attempting  to  cross 
the  river,  many  of  them  came  in  with  arms  and  joined  Rutherford.  In  the 
evening  he  crossed  the  river,  and  encamped  sixteen  miles  from  Ramsour's. 
When  Rutherford  crossed  the  river,  it  was  believed  he  would  march  in  the 
night  and  attack  the  Tories  next  morning ;  but,  expecting  that  his  express 
had  reached  Colonel  Locke  he  waited  for  Locke's  arrival,  that  he  might  on 
the  next  day  march  in  full  force  to  the  attack.  At  10  o'clock  at  night  Col. 
James  Johnston*  of  Tryon  County,  reached  Rutherford's  camp.  He  had  been 
dispatched  by  Colonel  Locke,  to  give  notice  of  his  intention  to  attack  the 
Tories  at  sunrise  the  next  morning,  and  requesting  Rutherford's  co-operation. 
Rutherford,  in  confident  expectation  that  his  express  had  reached  Colonel 
Locke,  shortly  after  Colonel  Johnston  had  left,  made  no  movement  until  next 
morning. 

In  pursuance  of  the  orders  given  to  Col.  Locke,  and  the  other  oflScers  at 
Mallard  Creek  on  the  14th,  they  severally  collected  as  many  men  as  they 
could,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  Major  Wilson,  with  sixty-five  men, 
passed  the  Catawba  at  Tool's  Ford,  and  joined  Major  McDowell  with  twenty- 
five  men.  They  passed  up  the  river  at  right  angles  with  the  position  of  the 
Tories,  to  join  the  detachment  of  the  friends  who  were  assembling  at  the 
upper  fords.  At  McE wen's  Ford  being  joined  by  Captain  Falls,  with  forty 
men  under  his  command,  they  continued  their  march  up  the  east  side  of 
Mountain  Creek,  and  on  Monday  the  19th,  they  joined  Colonel  Locke,  Capt. 
Brandon  and  other  oflBcers,  with  two  hundred  and  seventy  men.  The  whole 
force  united  amounted  to  four  hundred  men.  They  encamped  on  Mountain 
Creek,  sixteen  miles  from  Ramsour's.  The  ofiicers  met  in  council,  and  they 
were  unanimous  in  the  opinion  that  it  would  be  unsafe  to  remain  in  that 
position,  as  the  Tories  could  attack  them  after  a  march  of  a  few  hours,  and 
from  the  inferiority  of  their  force,  they  had  no  doubt  the  Tories  would  march 
on  them  as  soon  as  they  learned  where  they  were. 

It  was  first  proposed  that  they  should  re-cross  the  Catawba  at  Sherrill's 
Ford,  six  miles  in  their  rear,  and  wait  for  reinforcements,  believing  that  with 
their  force  they  could  prevent  the  Tories  from  crossing.  To  this  it  was  ob- 
jected that  a  retrograde  movement  would  embolden  the  Tories,  whose  numbers 
were  increasing  as  fast  as  probably  their  own  numbers  would  increase,  after 
they  had  re-crossed  the  river,  and  no  additional  security  could  therefore  be 
obtained  by  such  a  movement. 

It  was  next  proposed  that  they  should  march  directly  down  the  river,  and 
join  Gen.  Rutherford,  who  was  then  distant  from  them  about  thirty-five  miles. 
It  was  said  this  movement  could  be  made  without  risk,  as  in  making  it  they 
would  not  be  nearer  Ramsour's  than  they  were.  To  this  prudent  proposition 
it  was  objected,  that  nearly  all  the  efiective  Whigs  of  that  section  were  fi*om 
home,  either  with  them,  or  with  Gen.  Rutherford,  and  such  a  movement  would 
leave  their  families  exposed,  and  their  houses  unprotected  from  pillage ;  that 
it  would  also  be  a  dangerous  movement  for  themselves,  as  the  Tories  might 
be  in  motion,  and  they  might  encounter  them  in  their  march.  It  was  insinu- 
ated, that  these  propositions  proceeded,  if  not  from  fear,  at  least  from  an 
unwillingness  to  meet  the  Tories — and  therefore,  another  proposition  was 
made,  which  was,  that  notwithstanding  their  disparity  of  force,  they  should 
march  during  the  night  and  attack  the  Tories  in  their  camp  early  the  next 

*  Father  of  Robert  Johnston,  Esq.,  of  this  County. 


230  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

morning.  It  was  said,  that  the  Tories  being  ignorant  of  their  force,  and 
suddenly  attacked,  -would  be  easily  routed.  The  more  prudent  members  of 
the  council  could  not  brook  the  insinuation  of  cowardice,  and  trusting  to  that 
fortune  which  sometimes  crowns  even  rashness  with  success,  it  was  unani- 
mously resolved  immediately  to  march,  and  at  daybreak  attack  the  Tories. 
Col.  Johnston  being  well  acquainted  with  the  country,  was  immediately 
dispatched  to  apprise  Gen.  Rutherford  of  this  resolution. 

Late  in  the  evening  they  commenced  their  march  from  Mountain  Creek, 
and  passing  down  the  south  side  of  the  mountain,  they  halted  at  the  west 
end  of  it  for  an  hour  in  the  night,  and  the  officers  convened  to  determine  on 
the  plan  of  attack.  It  was  determined  that  the  companies  commanded  by 
Captains  Falls,  McDowell,  and  Brandon,  should  act  on  horseback,  and  march 
in  front.  No  other  arrangements  were  made,  and  it  was  left  to  the  officers 
to  be  governed  by  circumstances  after  they  should  reach  the  enemy.  They 
resumed  their  march,  and  arrived  within  a  mile  of  the  enemy's  camp  at  day- 
light. 

The  Tories  were  encamped  on  a  hill  three  hundred  yards  east  of  Ramsour's 
Mill,  and  half  a  mile  north  of  the  present  flourishing  village  of  Lincolnton. 
The  ridge  stretched  nearly  to  the  east  on  the  south  side  of  the  mill  pond,  and 
the  road  leading  to  the  Tuckasege  ford,  by  the  Mill,  crosses  the  point  of  the 
ridge  in  a  north-western  direction.  The  Tories  occupied  an  excellent  posi- 
tion on  a  summit  of  the  ridge  ;  their  right  on  the  road  fronting  the  south. 
The  ridge  has  a  very  gentle  slope,  and  was  then  interspersed  with  only  a  few 
trees,  and  the  fire  of  the  Tories  had  full  rake  in  front  for  more  than  two  hun- 
dred yards.  The  foot  of  the  hill  was  bounded  by  a  glade,  the  side  of  which 
■was  covered  with  bushes.  The  road  passed  the  western  end  of  the  glade  at 
right  angles :  opposite  the  centre  of  the  line  and  on  the  road  a  fence  ex- 
tended from  the  glade  to  a  point  opposite  the  right  of  the  line — the  picket 
guard,  twelve  in  number,  were  stationed  on  the  road,  two  hundred  and  fifty 
yards  south  of  the  glade,  and  sis  hundred  yards  from  the  encampment. 

The  companies  of  Captains  Falls,  McDowell  and  Brandon,  being  mounted, 
the  other  troops  under  Col.  Locke  were  arranged  in  the  road,  two  deep,  be- 
hind them,  and  without  any  other  organization  or  orders,  they  were  marched 
to  battle.  When  the  horsemen  came  within  sight  of  the  picket,  they  per- 
ceived that  their  approach  had  not  been  anticipated.  The  picket  fired  and 
fled  to  their  camp.  The  horsemen  pursued,  and  turning  to  the  right,  out  of 
the  road,  they  rode  up  within  thirty  steps  of  the  line,  and  fired  at  the  Tories, 
who  being  in  confusion,  had  not  time  to  form  their  line,  but  seeing  only  a 
few  men  assailing  them  they  quickly  recovered  from  their  panic,  and  poured 
in  a  destructive  fire,  which  obliged  the  horsemen  to  retreat.  They  retreated 
in  disorder,  passing  through  the  infantry,  who  were  advancing;  several  of  the 
infantry  joined  them  and  never  came  into  action.  At  a  convenient  distance 
the  greater  part  of  the  horsemen  rallied,  and,  returning  to  the  fight,  exerted 
themselves  with  spirit  during  its  continuance.  The  infantry  hurried  to  keep 
near  the  horsemen  in  pursuit  of  the  picket,  and  their  movements  being  very 
irregular,  their  files  were  opened  six  or  eight  steps  ;  and  when  the  front  ap- 
proached the  Tories,  the  rear  was  eighty  poles  back. 

The  Tories,  seeing  the  effect  of  their  fire,  came  down  the  hill  a  little  dis- 
tance and  were  in  fair  view.  The  infantry  of  the  Whigs  kept  the  road  to 
the  point  between  the  glade  and  the  corner  of  the  fence  opposite  the  centre 
of  the  Tories.  Here  the  action  was  renewed ;  the  front  fired  several  times 
before  the  rear  came  up.  The  Tories  being  on  their  left,  they  deployed  to 
the  right  in  front  of  the  glade,  and  came  into  action  without  order  or  system. 
In  some  places  they  were  crowded  together  in  each  other's  way ;  in  other 
places  there  were  none.  As  the  rear  came  up,  they  occupied  those  places, 
and  the  line  gradually  extending,  the  action  became  general  and  obstinate 
on  both  sides.  In  a  few  minutes  the  Tories  began  to  retire  to  their  posi- 
tion on  the  top  of  the  ridge,  and  soon  fell  back  a  little  behind  the  ridge  to 
shelter  part  of  their  bodies  from  the  fire  of  the  Whigs,  who  were  fairly  ex- 
posed to  their  fire.  In  this  situation  their  fire  became  very  destructive,  so 
that  the  Whigs  fell  back  to  the  bushes  near  the  glade,  and  the  Tories,  leaving 
their  safe  position,  pursued  half  way  down  the  ridge,     x\.t  this  moment  Capt. 


LINCOLN  COUNTY.  231 

Harden  led  a  party  of  Whigs  into  the  field,  and,  under  cover  of  the  fence, 
kept  up  a  galling  iire  on  the  right  flank  of  the  Tories  ;  and  some  of  the  Whigs 
discovering  that  the  ground  on  the  right  was  more  favorable  to  protect  them 
from  the  fire  of  the  Tories,  obliqued  in  that  direction  towards  the  east  end  of 
the  glade.  This  movement  gave  their  line  the  proper  extension.  They  con- 
tinued to  oblique  in  this  direction  until  they  turned  the  left  flank  of  the 
Tories  ;  and  the  contest  being  well  maintained  in  the  centre,  the  Tories  began 
to  retreat  up  the  ridge.  They  fc/und  part  of  their  position  occupied  by  the 
Whigs.  In  that  quarter  the  action  became  close,  and  the  parties  mixed  to- 
gether in  two  instances  ;  and,  having  no  bayonets,  they  struck  at  each  other 
with  the  butts  of  their  guns.  In  this  strange  contest,  several  of  the  Tories 
were  taken  prisoners,  and  others,  divesting  themselves  of  their  mark  of  dis- 
tinction (a  twig  of  green  pine  top  stuck  in  their  hats)  intermixed  with  the 
Whigs,  and  all  being  in  their  common  dress,  escaped  unnoticed. 

The  Tories,  finding  the  left  of  their  position  in  possession  of  the  Whigs, 
and  their  centre  being  closely  pressed,  retreated  down  the  ridge  toward  the 
pond,  exposed  to  the  tire  of  the  centre  and  of  Captain  Harden's  company 
behind  the  fences.  The  Whigs  pursued  until  they  got  entire  possession  of 
the  ridge,  when  they  discovered,  to  their  astonishment,  that  the  Tories  had 
collected  in  force  on  the  other  side  of  the  creek  beyond  the  mill.  They 
expected  the  fight  would  be  renewed,  and  attempted  to  form  a  line,  but 
only  eighty-six  men  could  be  paraded.  Some  were  scattered  during  the 
action,  others  were  attending  to  their  wounded  friends,  and,  after  repeated 
efi'orts,  not  more  than  one  hundred  and  ten  men  could  be  collected. 

In  this  situation  of  things  it  was  resolved  that  Maj.  Wilson  and  Capt.  Wm. 
Alexander,  of  Rowan,  should  hasten  to  General  Rutherford  and  urge  him  to 
press  forward  to  their  assistance.  Rutherford  had  marched  early  in  the 
morning,  and,  at  the  distance  of  six  or  seven  miles  from  Ramsour's,  was  met 
by  Wilson  and  Alexander.  Maj.  Davie's  cavalry  was  started  at  full  gallop, 
and  Col.  Davidson's  infintry  were  ordered  to  hasten  on  with  all  possible 
speed.  At  the  end  of  two  miles  they  were  met  by  others  from  the  battle, 
who  informed  them  that  the  Tories  had  retreated.  The  march  was  continued, 
and  the  troops  arrived  on  the  ground  two  hours  after  the  battle  had  closed. 
The  dead  and  most  of  the  wounded  were  still  lying  where  they  fell. 

As  soon  as  the  action  began,  those  of  the  Tories  who  had  no  arms,  and 
several  who  had,  returned  across  the  creek.     They  were  joined  by  others 
when  they  were  first  beaten  up  the  ridge,  and  by  two  hundred  well-armed, 
who  had  arrived  two  days  before,  from  Lower  Creek,  in  Burke  County,  under 
Captains  Whiston  and 'Murray.     Col.  Moore  and  Maj.  Welch  soon  joined 
them.     Those  of  the  Tories  who  continued  the  fight  to  the  last  crossed  the 
creek  and  joined  as  soon  as  the  Whigs  got  possession  of  the  ridge.     Believing 
that  they  were  completely  beaten,  they  formed  a  stratagem  to  secure  their 
retreat.    About  the  time  that  AV^ilson  and  Alexander  were  dispatched  to  Gen. 
Rutherford,  they  sent  a  flag  under  a  pretence  of  proposing  a  suspension  of  hos- 
tilities, to  make  arrangements  for  taking  care  of  the  wounded  and  burying  the 
dead.     To  prevent  the  flag-ofiicer  from  perceiving  their  small  number,  Maj. 
Jas.  Rutherford  and  another  ofiicer  were  ordered  to  meet  him  a  short  distance 
from  the  line.     The  proposition  being  made,  Maj.  Rutherford  demanded  that 
the  Tories  should  surrender  within  ten  minutes,  and  then  the  arrangements 
should  be  made  that  were  requested.     In  the  meantime,  Moore  and  Welch 
gave  orders  that  such  of  their  men  as  were  on  foot,  or  had  inferior  horses, 
should  move  off  singly  as  fast  as  they  could,  and  when  the  flag  returned,  not 
more  than  fifty  remained.     They  immediately  tied.     Moore,  with  thirty  men, 
reached  the  British  army  at  Camden,  where  he  was  threatened  with  a  trial 
by  a  court-martial  for  disobedience  of  orders  in  attempting  to  embody  the 
Royalists  before  the  time  appointed  by  the  Commander-in-Chief.     lie  was 
treated  with  disrespect  by  the  British  officers,  and  held  in  a  state  of  disagree- 
able suspense;  but  it  was  at  length  deemed  impolitic  to  order  him  before  a 
court-martial. 

As  there  was  no  organization  of  either  party,  nor  regular  returns   made 
after  the  action,  the  loss  could  not  be  ascertained  with  correctness.     Fifty- 

24 


232  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

six  lay  dead  on  the  side  of  the  ridge  where  the  heat  of  the  action  prevailed. 
Many  lay  scattered  on  the  flanks  and  over  the  ridge  toward  the  mill.  It  is  be- 
lieved that  seventy  were  killed,  and  that  the  loss  on  each  side  was  equal.  About 
one  hundred  men  on  each  side  were  wounded,  and  fifty  Tories  were  taken 
prisoners.  The  men  had  no  uniform,  and  it  could  not  be  told  to  which  party 
many  of  the  dead  belonged.  Most  of  the  Whigs  wore  a  piece  of  white  paper 
on  their  hats  in  front,  and  many  of  the  men  on  each  side  being  excellent 
riflemen,  this  paper  was  a  mark  at  which  the  Tories  often  fired,  and  several 
of  the  Whigs  were  shot  in  the  head.  The  trees  behind  which  both  Whigs 
and  Tories  occasionally  took  shelter,  were  grazed  by  the  balls  ;  and  one  tree 
on  the  left  of  the  Tory  line,  at  the  root  of  which  two  brothers  lay  dead,  was 
grazed  by  three  balls  on  one  side  and  by  two  on  the  other. 

In  this  battle  neighbors,  near  relations,  and  personal  friends  fought  against 
each  other,  and  as  the  smoke  would  from  time  to  time  blow  off,  they  would 
recognize  each  other.  In  the  evening  and  on  the  next  day  the  relations  and 
friends  of  the  dead  and  wounded  came  in,  and  a  scene  was  witnessed  truly 
afflicting  to  the  feelings  of  humanity. 

After  the  action  commenced,  scarcely  any  orders  were  given  by  the  officers. 
They  fought  like  common  soldiers,  and  animated  their  men  by  their  example, 
and  they  sufi'ered  severely.  Captains  Falls,  Dobson,  Smitli,  Bowman,  and 
Armstrong  were  killed  ;  and  Captains  Houston  and  McKissick  wounded. 
Of  the  Tories,  Captains  Cumberland,  Murray,  and  Warlick  were  killed  ;  and 
Capt.  Carpenter  wounded.  Few  either  of  the  officers  or  men  had  ever  been 
in  battle  before. 

KOUTE  OF  THE  BRITISH  ARMY,  UNDER  LORD  CORNWALLIS,  THROUGH  LINCOLN" 

COUNTY. 

After  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens  on  the  17th  of  January,  1781,  Lord  Corn- 
wallis,  being  joined  the  next  day  by  reinforcements  under  General  Leslie,  at 
Winnsboro',  advanced  rapidly  to  intercept  Morgan  with  his  prisoners. 

I  am  enabled,  by  means  of  an  original  manuscript  of  Lord  Curnwallis, 
now  on  file  in  the  archives  of  the  Historical  Society  of  the  State,  at  the  Uni- 
versity ;  and  the  excellent  maps  in  Tarleton's  campaigns;  and  the  History  of 
Stedman,  to  trace  accurately  the  movements  of  the  British  army. 

General  Leslie's  head-quarters  on  the  17th  January,  1781,  were  at  Sandy 
Run,  in  Chester  District,  a  branch  of  Broad  River. 

At  Hillhouse's  plantation,  York  District,  on  the  18th,  General  Leslie  re- 
turns his  thanks  to  the  troops  under  his  command  for  their  ready  obedience, 
and  informs  them  that  all  orders  in  future  will  issue  from  Lord  Cornwallis 
and  the  Adjutant-General.  At  eight  o'clock  at  night  Lord  Cornwallis  issues 
his  orders  to  the  army  to  march  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  in  the  follow- 
ing order: — 

1,  Yagers;  2,  corps  of  pioneers;  3,  two  three-pounders;  4,  Brigade 
Guards  ;  5,  Regiment  of  Bose ;  6,  North  Carolina  Volunteers  ;  7,  two  six- 
pounders;  8,  Lt.-Colonel  Webster's  Brigade  ;  9,  wagons  of  the  General;  10, 
field  officers'  wagons;  11,  ammunition  wagons;  12,  hospital  Avagons  ;  13, 
regiment  wagons  ;  14,  provision  train  ;  15,  bat  horses  ;  a  captain,  two  sub- 
alterns, and  one  hundred  men  from  Colonel  Webster's  brigade,  to  form  a 
rear  guard. 

On  the  19th  the  army  camped  at  Smith's  House,  on  Broad  River,  near 
Cherokee  Iron  Works ;  on  the  20th  at  Saunders'  plantation,  in  South 
Carolina,  on  Buffalo  Creek;  on  the  23d  they  reached  Tryon  Court  House,  in 
the  west  part  of  Gaston,  about  20  miles  from  Lincolnton  ;  on  the  24th  at 
Ramsour's  mill,  near  where  Lincolnton  now  stands.  Here  the  army  remained 
until  the  28th,  when  they  marched  to  Beattie's  Ford.  The  river,  from  recent 
rains,  being  deemed  impassable.  Lord  Cornwallis  falls  back  to  Forney's  plan- 
tation, now  occupied  by  James  Anderson,  Esq.,  whore  he  remained  drying  his 
powder  and  procuring  forage  for  his  cavalry,  until  the  first  of  February, 
when,  at  half  past  two  in  the  morning,  he  took  up  his  line  of  march,  and 
crossed  the  Catawba  River  at  Cowan's  Ford,  about  six  miles  below  Beattie's 
Ford.  Here  about  six  hundred  militia,  under  General  Davidson,  were  posted, 
and  a  slight  skirmish  occurred.     A  British  Colonel  (Hall)  and  three  privates 


LINCOLN  COUNTY.  233 

were  killed,  and  thirty-six  wounded.     Lord  Cornwallis'  horse  was  shot  from 
under  him,  and  fell  dead  as  he  i-eached  the  bank. 

The  brave  Davidson  fell  here  of  our  side,  by  the  hand  of  a  Tory. 

Lord  Cornwallis,  in  his  general  orders,  at  camp,  on  the  2d,  returns  his 
"  thanks  to  the  brigade  of  Guards  for  their  cool  and  determined  bravery  in 
the  passage  of  the  Catawba,  while  rushing  through  that  long  and  difficult 
ford  under  a  galling  fire."  A  part  of  the  British  force  crossed  at  Beattie's 
Ford  (Col.  Webster's  Brigade).  They  united  at  the  House  of  Alfred  D.  Kerr, 
where  a  skirmish  had  takgn  place — then  called  Torrence's. 

Another  order  from  his  manuscript  order  book  does  credit  to  his  head  as 
well  as  his  heart. 

"  Head  Quarters,  Cross  Roads  to  Salisbury,  \st  Feb.,  1781. 

"Lord  Cornwallis  is  highly  displeased  that  several  houses  were  set  on  fire 
during  the  march  this  day — a  disgrace  to  the  army.  He  will  punish  with 
the  utmost  severity  any  person  or  persons  who  shall  be  found  guilty  of  com- 
mitting so  disgraceful  an  outrage.  His  Lordship  requests  the  commanding 
officers  of  corps  to  find  out  the  persons  who  set  fire  to  the  houses  this  day." 

General  Morgan  had  previously  crossed  safely  the  Catawba,  at  the  Island 
ford  ;  and  met  General  Greene  on  the  east  bank  of  the  river,  and  with 
him  continued  his  retreat  from  the  advancing  forces  of  the  British.  The 
Americans  crossed  the  Yadkin  at  Trading  Ford,  on  the  night  of  the  1st  and 
on  the  2d  of  February  ;  which  on  the  2d,  from  rains,  was  so  swollen  that  the 
British  attempted  in  vain  that  day  to  cross.  Lord  Cornwallis,  after  an 
ineifectual  cannonade  over  the  river,  returned  to  Salisbury,  and  on  the  7th 
crossed  at  the  Shallow  Ford. 


GEN.  JOSEPH  GRAHAM. 

Among  the  citizens  of  Lincoln,  the  name  of  Joseph  Graham  stands  con- 
spicuous. I  am  allowed  to  present  a  sketch  of  this  meritorious  officer  by  an 
able  and  faithful  hand. 

General  Graham  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  October  13th,  1759.  His  mother 
being  left  a  widow  with  five  small  children,  and  slender  means  to  support 
them,  removed  to  North  Carolina  when  he  was  about  seven  years  of  age,  and 
settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Charlotte.  He  received  the  principal  part  of  his 
education  at  an  academy  then  taught  in  Charlotte,  and  was  distinguished 
among  his  fellow  students  for  calents,  industry,  and  the  most  manly  and  con- 
ciliating deportment.  His  thirst  for  knowledge  led  him  at  an  early  period  to 
become  well  acquainted  with  all  those  interesting  events  which  preceded  and 
prepared  for,  our  revolutionary  struggle.  He  was  present  in  Charlotte,  on 
the  20th  of  May,  1775,  when  the  first  Declaration  of  Independence  was  for- 
mally and  publicly  made.  The  deep  impression  made  upon  his  mind  by  the 
solemn  and  illustrious  decisions  of  that  day,  gave  good  evidence  that  he  was 
then  preparing  for  the  noble  stand  which  he  took  during  the  war. 

lie  enlisted  in  the  army  of  the  United  States  in  the  month  of  May,  1778,  at 
the  age  of  nineteen  years.  He  served  in  the  4th  Regiment  of  North  Carolina 
regular  troops,  under  Colonel  Archibald  Lytic,  and  acted  as  an  officer  in 
Captain  Gooden's  company.  The  troops  to  which  he  was  attached  were 
ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Bladensburg,  in  Maryland.  Having  proceeded  as 
far  as  Caswell  county,  they  received  intelligence  of  the  battle  at  Monmouth, 
and  that  the  British  having  gone  to  New  York,  their  services  would  not  be 
needed.     He  returned  home  on  furlough. 

He  was  again  called  into  service  on  the  5th  of  November,  1778,  and  marched 
under  the  command  of  General  Rutherford  to  Purysburg,  on  the  Savannah 
River,  soon  after  the  defeat  of  General  Ashe  at  Brier  Creek. 

He  was  with  the  troops  under  General  Lincoln,  in  the  trying  and  painful 


was  taken  with  tlie  fever,  and  after  two  mouths'  severe  illness  was  discharged 


near  Dorchester  and  returned  home. 


234  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

After  recovering  from  the  effects  of  sickness  and  privation,  he  aided  his 
mother  in  the  support  of  lier  family,  and  was  ploughing  in  her  field  when  he 
received  intelligence  of  the  surrender  of  Charleston,  and  that  the  British  had 
defeated  Col.  Buford  at  the  Waxhaw,  and  were  within  forty  miles  of  Char- 
lotte. Instead  of  being  deterred  by  the  sufferings  of  the  previous  campaign, 
or  the  perils  of  that  alarming  moment,  he  resolved  at  once  to  leave  his 
plough,  and  enter  the  army.  lie  was  immediately  appointed  adjutant  of  the 
Mecklenburg  regiment,  and  spent  the  summer  with  them  in  opposing  and 
assailing  the  troops  of  Lord  Kawdon. 

When  it  was  understood  that  the  British  were  marching  to  Charlotte,  he 
was  commanded  by  General  Davidson  to  repair  to  that  place,  and  take  com- 
mand of  such  force  as  should  collect  there,  and  to  join  Colonel  Davie.  The 
British  army  entered  Charlotte  the  2Gth  of  September,  1780.  General  Gra- 
ham was  assigned  the  command  of  those  troops  which  sustained  the  retreat 
of  General  Davie,  and  opposed  Tarleton's  cavalry  and  a  regiment  of  infantry 
for  four  miles  on  the  road  leading  to  Salisbury.  After  a  heavy  and  well- 
directed  fire  upon  the  British  from  the  court  house  to  the  Gum  Tree,  General 
Graham  retreated  with  the  men  under  his  command  and  formed  on  the  planta- 
tion now  owned  by  Joseph  McConnaughey,  Esq.,  and  again  attacked  their 
advancing  column  of  infantry.  There  his  life  was  providentially  preserved 
from  the  bursting  of  a  gun,  fired  by  the  soldier  who  stood  at  his  side,  and  whose 
arm  was  wounded.  After  again  retreating,  he  formed  on  the  hill  above  where 
Sugar  Creek  church  now  stands.  There,  owing  to  the  imprudent,  but  honest 
zeal  of  a  Major  White,  they  were  detained  too  long,  for  by  the  time  they 
reached  the  Cross  Roads,  a  party  of  British  dragoons  were  coming  up  the  road 
leading  from  Captain  Kennedy's,  and  after  close  pursuit  for  nearly  two  miles, 
overtook  them.  Colonel  Francis  Locke,  of  Rowan  county,  an  intelligent  and 
brave  officer,  was  killed  upon  the  margin  of  a  small  pond,  now  to  be  seen  at 
the  end  of  Mr.  Alexander  Kennedy's  lane.  Between  that  spot  and  where 
Mr.  James  A.  Houston  now  lives.  General  Graham  was  cut  down  and  severely 
wounded.  He  received  nine  wounds;  six  with  the  sabre  and  three  with  lead. 
His  life  was  again  narrowly  and  mercifully  preserved  by  a  large  stock  buckle 
which  broke  the  violence  of  a  stroke,  Avhich  to  human  view,  must  otherwise 
have  proved  fatal.  He  received  four  deep  gashes  of  the  sabre  over  his  head 
and  one  in  his  side,  and  three  balls  were  afterward  removed  from  his  body. 
After  being  much  exhausted  by  loss  of  blood  he  reached  the  house  of  Mrs. 
Susannah  Alexander,  who  yet  lives  near  the  same  place,  where  he  was 
kindly  nursed  and  watched  during  the  night,  and  his  wounds  dressed  as 
well  as  circumstances  would  permit.  The  next  day  he  reached  his  mother's, 
where  Major  Bostwick  now  lives.  From  that  he  was  taken  to  the  hospital, 
and  was  two  months  recovering. 

Thus,  at  the  tender  age  of  twenty-one  years,  we  see  this  gallant  officer 
leading  a  band  of  as  brave  men  as  ever  faced  a  foe,  to  guard  the  ground  first 
consecrated  by  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence,  and  when  the 
foot  of  tyranny  was  treading  it,  and  resistance  proved  unsuccessful,  leaving 
his  blood  as  the  best  memorial  of  a  righteous  cause,  and  of  true  heroism  in  its 
defence. 

While  the  whole  country  was  in  distress,  its  property  pillaged,  its  houses 
forsaken,  and  its  defenceless  inhabitants  flying  from  the  shock  of  arms,  a  few 
noble  sons  of  Mecklenburg  compelled  Lord  Cornwallis  to  designate  Charlotte 
as  the  Hornet  Nest  of  America. 

As  soon  as  he  recovered  from  his  wounds,  he  again  entered  the  service  of 
his  country.  General  William  Davidson,  who  had  command  of  all  the 
militia  in  the  western  counties  of  North  Carolina,  applied  to  him  to  raise  one 
or  more  companies,  promising  him  such  rank  as  the  number  of  men  raised 
■would  justify.  It  proved  not  only  his  energy  of  purpose,  but  great  influence, 
that,  at  that  difficult  and  hazardous  period,  he  could  raise  a  company  of  fifty- 
five  men  in  two  weeks.  They  were  mounted  riflemen,  armed  also  with 
swords,  and  some  with  pistols.  They  supplied  themselves  with  horses,  pro- 
cured their  own  equipments,  and  entered  the  field  without  commissary  or 
quarter-master,  and  with  every  prospect  of  hard  fighting  and  little  compen- 
sation. 


LINCOLN  COUNTY.  235 

After  Tarleton's  signal  defeat  at  the  Cowpens,  Cornwallis  resolved  to  pur- 
sue General  Morgan.  At  that  time  General  Greene  had  received  the  com- 
mand of  the  Southern  Army,  and  had  stationed  himself  at  Hick's  Creek,  on 
the  north  of  the  Pedee,  near  to  Cheraw.  After  Morgan's  victory  and  suc- 
cessful retreat,  General  Greene  left  his  main  army  with  General  Iluger,  and 
rode  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  to  join  Morgan's  detachment.  The  plan  of 
opposing  Lord  Cornwallis  in  crossing  the  Catawba  River,  was  arranged  by 
General  Greene,  and  its  execution  assigned  to  General  Davidson.  Feints  of 
passing  were  made  at  different  places,  but  the  real  attempt  was  made  at 
Cowan's  Ford.  Soon  after  the  action  commenced.  General  William  Da- 
vidson was  killed,  greatly  lamented  by  all  who  knew  him,  as  a  talented, 
brave,  and  generous  officer.  The  company  commanded  by  General  Graham 
was  the  first  to  commence  the  attack  on  the  British  as  they  advanced  through 
the  river,  which  was  resolutely  continued  until  they  reached  the  bank,  loaded 
their  arms,  and  commenced  a  heavy  fire  upon  his  men,  two  of  whom  were 
killed.  It  was  supposed  that  General  Davidson  was  killed  by  a  Tory,  who 
was  pilot  to  the  British  in  crossing  the  river,  as  he  was  shot  with  a  small 
rifle  ball.  Colonel  William  Polk  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  McCall  were  near  to  him 
when  he  fell.  His  body  was  found  that  night  and  buried  in  the  present 
graveyard  of  Hopewell  Church. 

The  North  Carolina  militia  were  then  placed  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Pickens,  of  South  Carolina,  and  continued  to  pursue  the  British  as  they  ad- 
vanced toward  Virginia.  General  Graham  with  his  company  and  some 
troops  from  Rowan  County,  surprised  and  captured  a  guard  at  Hart's  Mill, 
one  and  a  half  miles  from  Hillsborough,  where  the  British  army  then  lay, 
and  the  same  day  were  united  to  Colonel  Lee's  forces.  On  the  next  day  he 
was  in  an  action  under  General  Pickens  with  Colonel  Pyles,  who  commanded 
350  Tories,  on  their  way  to  join  Tarleton.  These  Tories  supposed  the  Whigs 
to  be  a  company  of  British  troops,  sent  for  their  protection,  and  commenced 
crying  "  God  save  the  king."  Tarleton  was  about  a  mile  from  this  place,  and 
retreated  to  Hillsborough.  Shortly  afterwards.  General  Graham  was  in  an 
engagement  under  Colonel  Lee,  at  Clapp's  Mill  on  the  Alamance,  and  had 
two  of  his  company  killed,  three  wounded,  and  two  taken  prisoners.  A  few 
days  afterwards  he  was  in  au  action  at  Whitsell's  iMill,  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  Washington. 

As  the  time  for  which  his  men  had  engaged  was  expired,  and  the  country 
annoyed  with  Tories,  General  Greene  directed  him  to  return  with  his  com- 
pany, and  keep  them  in  a  compact  body  until  they  crossed  the  Yadkin,  which 
they  did,  March  14th,  1781. 

After  the  battle  at  Guilford,  the  British  retired  to  Wilmington,  and  but 
little  military  service  was  performed  in  North  Carolina  during  the  summer 
of  1781.  About  the  first  of  September,  Fannin  surprised  Hillsborough,  and 
took  Governor  Burke  prisoner.  General  Rutherford,  who  had  been  taken 
prisoner  at  Gates'  defeat,  and  with  many  other,  distinguished  citizens  had 
been  confined  in  custody,  was  discharged  and  returned  home  about  this  time. 
He  immediately  gave  orders  to  General  Graham,  in  whose  military  prowess 
and  general  influence  he  had  the  utmost  confidence,  to  raise  a  troop  of  cavalry 
in  Mecklenburg  County.  Three  troops  of  dragoons  and  about  two  hundred 
mounted  infantry  were  raised  and  formed  into  a  legion,  of  which  Robert 
Smith,  Esq.,  who  had  been  a  Captain  in  the  North  Carolina  line,  was  ap- 
pointed Colonel,  and  General  Graham  was  appointed  Major.  They  forthwith 
commenced  their  march  towards  Wilmington.  South  of  Fayetteville,  with 
ninety-six  dragoons  and  forty  mounted  infantry.  General  Graham  made  a 
gallant  and  successful  attack  upon  a  body  of  Tories  commanded  by  the  noted 
Tory  Colonels  McNeil,  Ray,  Graham,  and  McDougal.  This  action  took 
place  near  McFall's  Mill,  on  the  Raft  Swamp,  in  which  the  Tories  were  sig- 
nally defeated,  their  leaders  dispersed  in  dismay,  and  their  cause  greatly- 
injured.  That  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  Whigs  should  attack  and  tri- 
umphantly defeat  six  hundred  Tories,  headed  by  four  Colonels,  reflects  great 
honor  upon  the  bravery  and  intelligence  of  their  youthful  commander. 

A  short  time  afterwards  he  commanded  one  troop  of  dragoons  and  two  of 
mounted  infantry,  in  surprising  and  defeating  a  baud  of  Tories  on  Mr.  Al- 


236  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

fred  Moore's  plantation  opposite  to  "Wilmington.  On  the  next  day,  he  led  the 
troops  in  person  which  made  a  resolute  attack  on  the  British  garrison,^  near 
the  same  place.  Shortl}'  afterwards,  he  commanded  three  companies  in  de- 
feating the  celebrated  Col.  Gagny,  near  Waccamaw  lake.  Shortly  after  this, 
the  war  was  terminated  in  the  south  by  the  surrender  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  at 
Yorktown  in  Virginia.  . 

This  campaign  closed  Gen.  Graham's  services  in  the  Revolutionary  War, 
having  commanded  in  fifteen  engagements,  with  a  degree  of  courage,  wis- 
dom, calmness,  and  success,  surpassed  perhaps,  by  no  officer  of  the  same 
rank.  Hundreds,  who  served  under  him,  have  delighted  in  testifying  to  the 
upright,  faithful,  prudent,  and  undaunted  manner  in  which  he  discharged 
the  duties  of  his  trying  and  responsible  station.  Never  was  he  known  to 
shrink  from  a.ny  toil,  however  painful,  or  quail  before  any  danger,  however 
threatening,  or  stand  back  from  any  privations  or  sacrifices  which  might 
serve  his  country.  To  secure  her  liberties,  he  spent  many  toilsome  days  and 
sleepless  nights  ;  for  her  he  endured  much  fatigue,  and  sickness,  and  suffering, 
without  a  murmur;  for  her,  his  body  was  covered  with  wounds;  to  her  wel- 
fare he  consecrated  his  time,  and  treasure,  and  influence,  during  a  long  and 
unblemished  life.  It  was  not  by  empty  words  or  arrogant  pretensions,  but 
by  self-denying  and  long-continued  actions,  that  he  proved  himself  to  be  a 
friend  to  his  country. 

After  the  close  of  the  war,  he  was  elected  the  first  Sheriff  of  Mecklenburg 
county,  and  gave  great  satisfaction  by  the  faithful  and  exemplary  perform- 
ance of  the  duties  of  that  office.  He  was  afterwards,  for  a  number  of  years, 
a  prominent  member  of  the  General  Assembly  from  the  same  county.  About 
the  year  1787,  he  was  married  to  the  second  daughter  of  Major  John  David- 
son.* By  this  marriage,  he  had  twelve  children,  seven  of  whom  have  sur- 
vived him.f  Not  long  after  his  marriage  he  removed  to  Lincoln  County,  and 
engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  iron,  and  for  more  than  forty  years  before  his 
death,  conducted  a  large  establishment  with  great  energy  and  prudence. 

In  the  year  1814,  when  the  war  with  the  Creek  Indians  was  raging  with 
violence,  and  Generals  Jackson,  Coffee,  and  Carroll,  were  repelling  with 
signal  bravery  their  ruthless  aggressions.  North  Carolina  determined  to  send 
1000  men  to  aid  the  volunteers  from  Tennessee  and  Georgia,  in  the  conflict 
with  those  savages.  Gen.  Graham's  renown  as  an  officer,  and  his  worth  as 
a  man,  commended  him  as  the  leader  of  the  troops  from  this  State.  He  re- 
ceived the  commission  of  General,  and  was  strongly  solicited  by  the  Governor 
of  the  State  to  accept  the  appointment.  Although  the  circumstances  of  his 
family  rendered  his  absence  one  of  great  loss  and  self-denial,  he  proniptly 
obeyed  the  call  of  his  country,  and  marched  at  the  head  of  a  fine  Regiment 
of  Volunteers  to  the  scene  of  conflict.  They  arrived  about  the  time  the  last 
stroke  of  punishment  was  inflicted  upon  the  Creeks  by  Gen.  Jackson,  at  the 
battle  of  the  Horse  Shoe  ;  and  in  time  to  receive  the  submission  of  those  they 
expected  to  conquer.  Several  hundred  of  the  lower  Creeks  surrendered  to 
them. 

For  many  years  after  the  last  war,  he  was  Major-General  of  the  5th  Divi- 
sion of  the  Militia  of  North  Carolina. 

In  the  year  1802,  he  was  earnestly  requested  by  sundry  persons  in  the 
western  part  of  the  State,  friendly  to  the  better  organization  of  the  Militia, 
to  address  the  Legislature  on  the  subject,  and  to  propose  a  plan  for  a  Military 
Academy.  The  address  evinced  enlarged  and  judicious  sentiments  on  the 
subject,  and  drew  from  the  Assembly  the  following  resolution: — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  General  Assembly  be  presented  to  Jo- 
seph Graham,  Esq.,  of  Lincoln  County,  for  his  plan  of  a  Military  Academy 
submitted  to  the  consideration  of  this  Legislature,  and  that  the  address  be 
printed,  ten  copies  for  each  County  in  the  State,  to  be  delivered  with  the 
Laws  and  Journals  to  the  Clerks  of  the  several  County  Courts,  and  by  them 
to  the  Commandants  of  the  several  regiments,  to  be  at  their  disposal." 

By  a  life  of  tempei'ance  and  regular  exercise,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  he 
enjoyed  remarkable  health  and  vigor  of  constitution.    On  the  13th  of  October, 

*  Isabella.  t  The  youngest  of  them  is  now  Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


LINCOLN  COUNTY.  237 

1836,  he  made  the  following  minute  in  his  Day-Book.     "  This  day  I  am 
Seventy-seven  years  of  age,  and  in  good  health,  Dei  Gratia." 

As  the  disease  which  terminated  his  life  was  apoplexy,  its  paralyzing  stroke 
was  sudden  and  unexpected.  lie  rode  from  Lincolnton  on  the  10th  of  No- 
vember, and  on  the  evening  of  the  12th,  closed  his  eyes  upon  the  cares  and 
trials  of  a  long,  useful,  and  honorable  life. 

"  Hope  looks  beyond  the  bounds  of  time, 
When  what  we  now  deplore, 
Shall  rise  in  full  immortal  prime, 
And  bloom  to  fade  no  more." 

R.  H.  M. 


A  NOTICE  OF  THE  BREVARD  FAMILY. 

The  Brevard  family  acted  a  very  important  part  during  our  revolutionary 
struggle.     A  short  notice  of  it  may  possess  some  interest. 

The  first  one  of  the  name  of  whom  anything  is  known,  was  a  French  Hu- 
guenot. He  left  his  native  land  on  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes. 
Going  to  the  northern  part  of  Ireland  among  the  Scotch  Irish,  he  there  formed 
an  acquaintance  with  a  family  of  McKnitts.  In  company  with  them  he  set 
sail  for  the- American  shores.  One  of  this  family  was  a  young  and  blooming 
lassie.  Brevard  and  herself  discovered  in  each  other  kindred  spirits,  and  a 
mutual  attachment  sprung  up  between  them.  They  joined  their  fortunes, 
determined  to  share  the  hardships  and  trials  incident  to  a  settlement  in  a 
new  country,  at  that  time  filled  with  wild  beasts  and  savages.  They  settled 
on  the  waters  of  Elk  River,  in  Maryland.  The  issue  of  this  marriage  were 
five  sons  and  a  daughter;  John,  Robert,  Zebulon,  Benjamin,  and  Adam,  and 
Elizabeth.  The  three  elder  brothers,  with  their  sister  and  her  husband, 
came  to  North  Carolina  between  1740  and  1750.  The  three  brothers  were 
all  Whigs  during  the  Revolution — but  this  notice  will  be  confined  to  the 
family  of  John.  He,  before  leaving  the  State  of  his  father's  adoption,  married 
a  sister  of  Dr.  McWhorter,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  also  came  to  North 
Carolina,  and  had  for  a  time  the  control  of  Queen's  Museum  in  Charlotte. 
Dr.  McWhorter's  literary  acquirements  were  considerable.  He  was  the  author 
of  the  two  volumes  of  "McWhorter's  Sermons."  Being  a  very  zealous 
Whig,  the  British  were  very  anxious  to  get  their  hands  on  him,  on  account  of 
the  independent  and  revolutionary  spirit  of  his  addresses  both  in  and  out  of 
the  pulpit.  And  had  they  been  successful.  Dr.  McWhorter  would  probably 
have  paid  for  his  patriotism  with  his  life.  But  they  failed  iu  their  endeavors, 
and  he  at  length  returned  to  the  North. 

John  Brevard  settled  himself  two  or  three  miles  from  Centre  Church,  in 
Iredell  county.  At  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  his  family 
consisted  of  eight  sons  and  four  daughters.  Mary,  Ephraim,  John,  Hugh, 
Adam,  Alexander,  Robert,  Benjamin,  Nancy,  Joseph,  Jane,  and  Rebecca.  It 
has  been  stated,  that  he  died  before  the  close  of  the  war.  This  is  a  mistake 
— but  he  was  too  old  to  be  constantly  employed  on  active  service — and  be- 
sides, his  fiimily  required  a  portion  of  his  attention.  He  was,  however, 
always  ready  to  render  any  assistance  in  his  power  to  the  Whigs.  He  had 
instilled  his  principles  into  his  children,  and  they  bore  the  proper  fruit.  As 
a  penalty  for  it,  his  dwelling  and  every  outhouse  on  the  premises  were 
burned  to  the  ground.     When  this  happened  he  was  absent. 

The  British  army  under  Lord  Cornwallis  came  to  his  house,  and  found  no 
one  there  except  his  wife,  an  old  lady.  She  had  received  notice  of  their  ap- 
proach, and  had  sent  her  daughters  to  a  neighboring  house  across  a  swamp, 
to  preserve  them  from  any  indignities  that  might  be  offered  them  by  an  un- 
feeling soldiery.  She  determined  to  remain,  trusting  to  her  advanced  age 
and  sex,  and  attempt  to  save  the  property.  When  the  army  came  up,  an 
officer  drew  a  paper  from  his  pocket,  and  after  looking  at  it  said,  that  the 
houses  must  be  burned.  They  were  accordingly  set  on  fire.  Mrs.  Brevard 
attempted  to  rescue  some  of  the  furniture  from  the  flames — but  the  soldiers 


238  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

would  throw  it  back  as  fast  as  she  could  take  it  out.  Everything  was  lost. 
The  old  lady  was  treated  very  rudely  ;  and  part  of  her  clothes  were  torn 
from  her  body — but  she  received  no  actual  personal  injury.     They  gave  as  a 

reason  for  their  conduct,  that  her  sons  were  all  d d  rebels,  and  that  she 

had  eight  sons  then  in  (as  they  were  pleased  to  call  it)  the  rebel  army.* 

Mary,  the  eldest  daughter  of  John  Brevard,  married  General  Davidson, 
who  was  killed  at  Cowan's  Ford,  on  the  Catawba  River. 

Nancy  married  John  Davidson.  They  were  both  killed  by  the  Indians,  at 
the  head  of  the  Catawba  River. 

Jane,  married  Ephraim,  a  brother  of  John  Davidson,  and  adecided  Whig. 
Though  very  young,  he  was  sent  by  General  Davidson  the  night  before  the 
skirmish  at  Cowan's  Ford,  with  an  express  to  Colonel  Morgan,  warning  him 
of  the  approach  of  the  British  forces. 

Rebecca  married  a  Jones,  and  moved  to  Tennessee. 

Epuraim  Brevard  was  the  eldest  son;  while  a  boy  he  had  the  misfortune 
to  lose  one  of  his  eyes.  This,  however,  did  not  prevent  his  being  educated. 
After  a  course  of  preparatory  studies  he  went  to  Princeton  College,  New  Jersey. 
Having  graduated,  he  then  turned  his  attention  to  the  medical  profession. 
After  a  due  course,  he  settled  himself  as  a  practicing  physician  in  the  town 
of  Charlotte,  North  Carolina.  Possessed  of  a  superior  mind,  well  educated, 
and  of  prepossessing  manners,  his  influence  over  his  fellow  citizens  was  very 
considerable. 

The  war  of  the  Revolution  with  all  its  hardships  and  trials  commenced — 
the  emergency  of  the  times  called  for  sound  judgment  and  a  bold  and  daring 
ppirit — in  Dr.  Brevard  these  requisites  were  found — and  sprung  from  an  an- 
cestry who  had  left  their  native  land  to  escape  from  the  restraint  on  con- 
science, his  indignant  soul  was  roused  to  energetic  opposition,  when  civil 
oppression  raised  its  head  in  the  home  of  their  adoption. 

The  battle  of  Lexington  had  been  fought.  It  was  apparent  that  the 
motlier  country  was  lost  to  all  sense  of  justice  to  her  colonies,  and  that  she 
was  determined,  if  possible,  to  force  her  unconstitutional  measures  upon  them. 
Colonel  Thomas  Polk  took  a  very  active  part  in  getting  up  a  meeting  of  the 
citizens  of  Mecklenburg,  for  the  purpose  of  consulting  upon  what  course 
should  be  pursued.  This  meeting  was  composed  of  two  persons  sent  from 
each  Captain's  beat.  It  was  organized  in  Charlotte,  by  the  appointment  of 
Abram  Alexander  as  Chairman,  and-  John  McKnitt  Alexander  and  Dr. 
Brevard  as  Secretaries,  May  19,  1775. 

This  day  was  taken  up  in  discussion.  Independence  was  proposed,  and 
Dr.  Brevard  came  forward  as  one  of  its  advocates.  At  first  it  met  with  oppo- 
sition- but  all  objections  were  at  length  removed,  and  a  committee  appointed 
to  draft  resolutions  declaring  their  independence.  These  resolutions  were 
drawn  up  by  Dr.  Brevard,  who,  with  two  others,  was  selected  for  the  pur- 
pose. They  were  read  to  the  meeting  on  the  morning  of  May  20th,  1775,  and 
adopted.  They  were  then  taken  to  the  door  of  the  Court  Ilouse,  and  again 
read  by  Colonel  Thomas  Polk,  to  a  large  assemblage  of  people.  The  ques- 
tion was  asked,  "Are  you  agreed?"  It  was  answered  in  the  affirmative, 
amidst  loud  huzzas,  and  clapping  of  hands,  throwing  up  hats,  and  every 
show  of  approbation,  by  people  who  had  hitherto  enjoyed  liberty  and  were 
determined  to  preserve  it,  or  sacrifice  everything  in  the  attempt.  A  notice 
of  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting  may  be  found  in  the  "  Sketches  of  North 
Carolina,"  by  Dr.  Foote,  and  also  of  another  instrument,  entitled,  "  Instruc- 
tions for  the  delegates  of  Mecklenburg."  In  these,  the  principles  of  civil 
and  religious  liberty  are  clearly  and  comprehensively  set  forth.  The  rights 
of  only  one  denomination  (the  Roman  Catholic)  were  restrained.  This  was 
very  natural  in  view  of  the  persecutions  it  had  formerly  visited  upon  others — 
and  the  document,  moreover,  came  from  one  whose  ancestry  had  received 
little  kindness  at  its  hands. 

Dr.  Brevard  entered  the  army  as  surgeon  or  surgeon's  mate,  as  his  com- 
mission will  show.     In  this  capacity  he  continued  to  act  until  taken  prisoner 

*  This  conduct  received  the  strong  disapprobation  of  Lord  Cornwallis.  See  his  orders, 
page  233. 


LINCOLN  COUNTY.  239 

at  the  siege  of  Charleston.  There  being  too  much  confined,  and  living  upon 
unwholesome  diet,  he  was  taken  sick.  Having  been  set  at  liberty,  he  started 
for  home,  and  proceeded  on  his  journey  to  the  residence  of  John  McKnitt 
Alexander,  his  friend  and  a  sterling  patriot— there  he  breathed  his  last.  He 
died,  but  his  principles  should  live  on !  The  place  of  his  interment  is  un- 
known, but  his  memory  should  be  preserved,  cherished  and  honored  "while 
liberty  has  a  friend  on  earth."  In  the  words  of  Dr.  Foote,  "he  thought 
clearly — felt  deeply — wrote  well— resisted  bravely,  and  died  a  martyr  to  that 
liberty  none  loved  better,  and  few  understood  so  well."  Dr.  Brevard  left  one 
child,  a  daughter.  She  married  a  Dickerson,  and  left  one  child,  a  son — 
James  P.  Dickerson.  He  was  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  South  Carolina 
regiment  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  died  from  a  wound  he  received  in  battle 
near  the  city  of  Mexico. 

John  Brevard,  Jr.,  sei'ved  in  the  Continental  Army  with  the  commission  of 
lieutenant. 

Hugh  Brevard,  with  several  other  brothers,  was  at  the  battle  of  Ramsour's 
Mill.     He  was  a  Colonel  of  the  militia,  and  died  before  the  close  of  the  war. 

Adam  Brevard  served  one  year  in  the  Northern  army.  He  then  came 
south,  and  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Ramsour's  Mill.  He  there  had  the 
button  shot  from  his  pantaloons,  but  escaped  unharmed.  He  was  a  black- 
smith ;  and,  after  the  war,  followed  his  trade  for  a  time.  He  studied  law  in 
his  shop  when  not  too  much  pressed  with  business ;  and  finally  abandoned 
his  trade  and  went  to  the  practice  of  law.  In  this  he  succeeded  well,  and 
stood  high  as  a  man  of  talents  and  wit.  lie  wrote  a  piece  called  the  "  Meck- 
lenburg Censor,"  full  of  wit  and  humor. 

Alexander  Brevard  joined  the  army  as  a  cadet.  He  first  received  the  com- 
mission of  Lieutenant,  then  Captain,  in  the  Continental  Army.  He  was 
engaged  in  the  battles  of  White  Plains,  Trenton,  Princeton,  Brandywine, 
Monmouth,  and  Germantown,  and  continued  in  the  Northern  army  under 
General  Washington,  until  some  time  in  the  year  1779;  then,  his  health  fail- 
ing, he  was  sent  into  the  country.  After  a  short  absence,  he  reported  himself 
for  service  to  General  Washington.  The  humane  commander,  seeing  his 
slender  figure  and  delicate  appearance,  remarked  that  he  was  unfit  for  hard 
service,  and  asked  where  his  friends  lived.  The  reply  was  North  Carolina. 
The  General  then  advised  his  return  to  them.  He  did  so  ;  and  his  health 
having  improved,  he  immediately  joined  the  southern  division  of  the  anuy 
under  General  Gates.  Being  a  Captain  in  the  regular  service,  and  his  com- 
pany absent,  he  was  appointed  Quarter-master,  and  acted  as  such  at  the 
battle  of  Camden.  His  active  temperament  would  not  suffer  him  to  be  un- 
employed. But  when  the  two  armies  were  drawn  up  for  action,  he  exposed 
his  life  by  riding  to  a  position  whence  he  could  have  a  fair  view  of  their 
movements.  He  soon  discovered  that  defeat  was  certain.  .He  returned  to 
the  baggage  wagons,  and  started  some  of  them  ofi",  and  was  preparing  the 
others  to  go ;  but  the  rout  was  so  complete  that  everything  was  lost.  Some 
of  the  wagons  had  gone  five  or  six  miles.  From  these  the  horses  Avere  cut 
loose  by  flying  men.  After  the  defeat  of  General  Gates,  General  Greene 
took  the  command  of  the  Southern  army.  Alexander  Brevard  was  with  this 
gallant  Commander  in  all  his  battles — so  that  he  was  in  active  service,  with 
little  interruption  from  the  beginning  to  the  close  of  the  war.  If  the  subject 
was  presented,  he  would  enter  into  conversation  with  reference  to  the  battles 
in  which  he  had  been  engaged.  He  thought  that  his  hardest  fighting  was  at 
Eutaw  Springs.  He  was  there  in  command  of  his  company,  and  lost  from 
it  some  eighteen  or  twenty  men.  At  one  time  during  this  action,  he  and  his 
company  were  in  a  very  critical  situation.  A  division  of  British  came  in 
behind  while  they  were  closely  engaged  in  front ;  but  Colonel  Washington 
discovered  and  made  an  impetuous  charge  upon  this  division.  A  portion  of 
his  men  broke  through,  and  formed  to  rencAv  the  charge.  This  was  prevented 
by  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  into  a  position  where  it  was  impossible  for  the 
cavalry  to  make  its  way.  Col.  Washington  was  unhorsed  and  taken  prisoner, 
but  succeeded  in  preventing  the  meditated  attack  in  the  rear.  Brevard  had 
not  observed  this  division— and  the  first  thing  he  saw  was  the  flying  caps  and 
tumbling  horses  of  the  cavalry  as  they  made  their  charge  upon  them.     He 


240  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

used  to  relate  an  occurrence  showing  the  cool,  or  it  might  be  called  thoughtless, 
bravery  of  some  men  in  time  of  danger.  His  division  was  at  one  time  drawn 
up  in  an  old  open  field,  barely  within  reach  of  the  enemy's  cannon.  The 
balls  would  strike  a  few  yards  from  them,  covering  those  around  and  himself 
with  dust  and  dirt.  Soine  were  killed,  others  taken  back  with  their  limba 
broken  or  greatly  mangled.  He  said  the  cries  and  shrieks  of  these  unfortu- 
nate men  were  truly  heart  rending.  During  this  period  of  danger  and  suf- 
fering there  was  an  officer  who  probably  had  never  been  in  action  before ; 
and,  though  he  might  have  been  as  brave  as  other  men,  he  was  unaccustomed 
to  such  scenes.  His  limbs  trembled  and  his  knees  struck  each  other.  A  cap- 
tain who  was  acquainted  with  Brevard  called  out — "  Brevard !  Brevard  !  Bel- 
shazzar,  by  G — d !"  pointing  at  the  same  time  to  the  over-excited  officer.  The 
night  of  the  retreat  from  this  battle,  the  army  was  in  great  confusion.  Men 
were  going  in  every  direction — some  inquiring  for  one  regiment  or  company, 
some  another,  showing  that  they  were  entirely  lost  from  their  places.  Had 
pursuit  been  made,  a  rout  would  probably  have  been  the  consequence. 

After  the  war  Brevard  married  a  daughter  of  John  Davidson,  who  had  been  a 
Major  in  the  war,  and  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of 
Independence.  His  father-in-law  suggested  to  himself  and  Joseph  Graham, 
another  son-in-law,  the  pi-opriety  of  entering  into  the  iron  business.  They 
assented,  and  went  over  into  Lincoln  County.  There  they  found  Peter 
Forney  in  possession  of  an  iron  ore  bank.  With  him  they  formed  a  copart- 
nership, and  erected  Vesuvius  Furnace,  now  known  as  Graham's  Furnace,  on 
the  road  from  Lincolnton  to  Beattie's  Ford.  After  operating  for  a  time 
Forney  withdrew.  Davidson  and  Brevard  left  Graham  in  the  management 
of  Vesuvius  Furnace,  and  built  Mount  Tirza  Forge,  known  as  Brevard's 
Forge.  The  sons-in-law  bought  out  Davidson,  and  finally  they  dissolved. 
Brevard  then  built  a  furnace  on  Leeper's  Creek,  above  Mount  I'irza  Forge. 
He  continued  in  the  iron  business  until  his  death,  Nov.  1,  1829.  Being  of 
a  retiring  disposition  he  never  sought  political  favor ;  but  preferred  to  dis- 
charge his  obligations  to  his  country  rather  by  obeying  than  by  making  her 
laws.  His  manners  were  frank  and  candid ;  and  the  more  intimately  he  was 
known  the  better  was  he  beloved.  The  dishonest  met  his  searching  eye  with 
dread  ;  but  the  industrious  and  honest  ever  found  in  him  a  kind  adviser  and 
a  sure  assistant.  Long  will  he  be  remembered  as  a  pure  man,  a  faithful 
friend,  and  an  upright  citizen,  conscientious  in  the  discharge  of  all  his  obli- 
gations, and  in  the  performance  of  all  his  duties.  He  was  an  elder  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church;  and  died  as  he  had  lived,  a  true  Christian,  placing  a 
firm  reliance  in  the  promises  of  the  Bible.  His  remains  lie  two  or  three  hun- 
dred yards  from  the  road  leading  by  Brevai-d's  Furnace,  from  Lincolnton  to 
Beattie's  Ford — a  spot  chosen  by  General  Graham  and  himself  as  a  family 
burying  ground.  A  large  square  tombstone  marks  the  resting-place  of  him- 
self, his  wife,  a  daughter  and  two  grandchildren.  He  left  seven  children — ■ 
Ephraim,  Franklin,  Harriet,  Robert,  Joseph,  Theodore,  and  Mary.  Eloisa, 
Harriet  (older  than  the  daughter  who  survived  him),  Rowena,  and  Alfred, 
died  before  their  father.  Franklin  and  Joseph  represented,  at  different  times, 
the  county  of  Lincoln  in  the  legislature  of  North  Carolina.  Franklin  also 
became  a  candidate  for  Congress ;  but  he  belonged  to  a  party  which  was  in 
the  minority,  and  though  he  received  a  strong  vote,  was  defeated.  Theodore 
moved  to  Alabama,  and  represented  his  county  in  the  legislature  of  that 
State.  He  was  afterwards  elected  Judge.  He  resigned  this  office,  and  moved 
to  Florida. 

_  Joseph  Brevard,  the  youngest  son  of  John  Brevard,  Sr.,  held  the  commis- 
sion of  Lieutenant  in  the  Continental  Army,  at  the  age  of  seventeen.  His 
Ijrother  Alexander  said  that  he  was  at  that  time  quite  small  and  delicate,  and 
that  he  always  felt  sorry  for  him  when  his   turn  came  to  mount   guard. 

General ,  who  was  in  command  at  Philadelphia,  discovering  that  he 

wrote  a  pretty  hand,  appointed  him  his  private  secretary.  In  this  position 
he  continued  until  he  received  the  commission  of  Lieutenant  in  the  Cavalry 
of  the  southern  army.  This  he  kept  to  the  close  of  the  war.  He  afterwards 
studied  law  and  settled  in  Camden,  S.  C.     He  there  took  a  high  stand  among 


LINCOLN  COUNTY.  241 

his  fellow-citizens.  After  filling  several  offices  of  public  trust,  he  was 
elected  Judo;e,  which  post  he  filled  Avith  honor.  He  resif!;ned  his  Judgeship, 
and  was  twice  elected  to  Congress  from  his  district.  He  made  a  digest  of 
the  Statute  Laws  of  South  Carolina;  and  also  left  one  or  two  volumes  pf 
cases  reported  by  himself.  These  books,  particularly  the  latter,  are  still 
referred  to  as  good  legal  authority.  He  died  in  Camden.  He  is  gone— but 
his  name  is  still  cherished  and  honored  by  those  who  remember  his  virtues. 

Such  is  a  brief  and  imperfect  sketch  of  that  family  whose  name  is  prefixed. 
Some  things  have,  no  doubt,  been  overlooked.  Many  events  and  occurrences 
of  interest  connected  with  the  Brevard  name  have  sunk,  together  with  their 
actors,  in  the  tomb,  and  must  rest  there  in  eternal  silence.  But  whatever 
may  be  the  defects  of  this  piece,  the  writer  has  the  gratification  of  knowing 
that  he  has  done  nothing  wrong  in  attempting  to  set  forth  the  merits  of  the 
truly  deserving.  A.  i .  U. 

FORNEY  FAMILY. 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  Lincoln  County,  there  is  no  name  more  closely 
connected  with  remarkable  courage,  or  remarkable  services,  than  that  of  J  acob 
Forney,  Sen.     He  was  the  son  of  a  French  Huguenot,  and  was  born  about 
the  year  1721.     At  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes,  in_1685,  his  father 
fled  from  France,  preferring  self-expatriation  to  the  renunciation  of  his  re- 
ligious belief,  and  settled  in  Alsace,  on  the  Rhine,  where  freedom  of  opinion 
and  worship  was  tolerated.     Here  his  fether  died,  leaving  him  an  orphan  at 
four  years  of  age.     About  the  age  of  fourteen,  he  left  Alsace,  and  went  to 
Amsterdam.     Delighted,    whilst   there,  with   the    glowing   accounts    which 
crossed  the  Atlantic  respecting  the  New  World,  and  allured  with  the  pros- 
pect of  enjoying  still  greater  political  and  religious  liberties,  he  came  to 
America  by  the  first  vessel  having  that  destination,  and_  settled  m  Penn- 
sylvania.    Here  he  remained  industriously  employed  until  the  age  of  ma- 
turity, when  he  returned  to  Germany  to  procure  a  small  legacy.     Having 
adjusted  his  afi"airs  there,  he  again  embarked  for  America  on  boardof  a  ves- 
sel bringing  over  many  emigrants  from  the  Canton  of  Berne,  in  Switzerland. 
Among^this  number  Avas  a  blithesome,  rosy-cheeked  damsel,  buoyant  \yith 
the  charms  of  youth,  who  particularly  attracted  young  Forney's  attention. 
It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  inform  the  reader  that  her  acquaintance  was  soon 
made,  a  mutual  attacJimenf,  silently,  but  surely  formed  between  two  youthful 
hearts,  so  congenial  in  feeling,  and  similarly  filled  with  the  spirit  of  adventure. 
Prosperous  gales  quickly  wafted  the  vessel  in  safety  to  the  shores  of  America, 
and  soon  after  their  arrival  in  Pennsylvania,  Jacob  Forney  and  Maria  Berg- 
ner  (for  that  was  the  fixir  one's  name)  were  united  in  marriage.     About  this 
time,  the  rich  but  cheap  lands  of  the  Yadkin  and  Catawba,  with  a  salubrious 
clime,  were  attracting  a  numerous  emigration  from  the  Middle  States.     In- 
fluenced by  such  inviting  considerations,  Forney's  determination  was  soon 
made  up  to  join  the  tide  of  emigration,  and  accordingly,  a  few  years  after  his 
marriage,  he  removed  to  Carolina,  and  settled  in  Lincoln  County  about  the 

year  1754.  j         j     •  e 

The  first  settlers  of  Lincoln  County  suffered  greatly  by  the  depredations  ot 
the  Cherokee  Indians.  On  more  than  one  occasion,  many  of  the  inhabitants 
temporarily  abandoned  their  homes,  and  removed  to  the  settlements  east  of  the 
Catawba.  'Others,  finding  it  inconvenient  to  remove,  constructed  rude  forts 
for  their  mutual  defence.  A  repetition  of  these  depredations  having  occurred 
a  few  years  after  Forney's  arrival,  he  joined  those  who  removed,  until  the 
Indians  could  be  severely  chastised  or  completely  subdued  by  military  force. 
It  may  not  be  devoid  of  interest  to  here  relate  a  remarkable  and  well-au- 
thenticated adventure  which  Forney  had  with  the  Indians,  occurring  at  this 
troublesome  time,  and  illustrating  one  of  the  most  common  dangers  of  a  fron- 
tier life.  Having  removed  his  family  to  a  place  of  safety,  Forney  returned 
to  his  former  place  of  abode,  accompanied  by  two  of  his  neighbors,  Messrs. 
Richards  and  Fronabarger,  to  search  for  his  cattle.  They  accordingly  set 
out  to  examine  the  ridges,  then  everywhere  covered  with  luxuriant  pastur- 
age, but  had  not  proceeded  much  more  than  a  mile,  before  they  spied  a  small 
Indian  just  ahead  of  them,  and  not  far  from  the  spot  of  ground  now  well 


242  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

known  as  the  "  Rock  Spring  Camp  Ground."  It  was  supposed  the  Indian  had 
boon  placed  there  as  a  sentinel  to  give  information  to  his  comrades,  of  de- 
fenceless white  passengers,  as  it  was  not  far  from  the  place  where  several 
families  had  erected  a  fort.  Forney,  being  a  good  marksman,  raised  his  gun 
to  shoot  the  Indian,  but  Richards,  relying  greatly  on  his  activity,  proposed 
to  steal  upon  him  unaware,  and  thus  catch  him  hj  a.  fair  foot-race.  The  pro- 
posal was  agreed  to,  but  just  at  that  moment,  the  Indian  discovered  them, 
and  made  his  escape.  Forney  truly  suspected  that  more  Indians  were  in  the 
immediate  vicinity.  lie  and  his  party,  however,  continued  their  course,  but 
had  progressed  only  a  little  way,  when  they  discovered  directly  ahead  of 
them,  eleven  Indians  armed  with  guns,  and  several  smaller  ones  bearing 
tomahawks.  Forney,  with  a  courage  equal  to  any  emergency,  was  for  giving 
them  battle,  but  his  two  companions  over-ruled  him,  contending  it  would  be 
impossible  to  rout  or  subdue  such  a  large  number.  It  was,  therefore,  deemed 
advisable  to  retreat,  or  rather,  change  their  course,  and,  if  possible,  make 
their  way  to  the  fort.  After  proceeding  a  short  distance,  the  Indians  ap- 
proached considerably  nearer,  and  immediately  commenced  a  brisk  firing. 
Forney  directed  his  party  to  reserve  their  fire  until  the  Indians  would  ap- 
jiroach  sufficiently  near  to  take  a  sure  and  deadly  aim,  and  to  maintain  an 
orderly  retreat  in  the  direction  of  the  fort.  Unfortunately,  Richards  was 
dangerously  wounded  soon  after  they  commenced  retreating.  At  this  criti- 
cal moment,  when  one  or  two  well-directed  tires  might  have  repulsed  their 
enemy,  Fronabarger's  courage  failed  him,  and  he  made  his  escape,  believing, 
no  doubt,  with  Hudibras,  that 

"  He  that  fights  and  runs  away, 
May  live  to  fight  another  day." 

Richards  was  then  directed  to  retreat  as  fast  as  his  wounded  condition  would 
permit.  Forney,  in  the  meantime,  managed  to  keep  the  Indians  at  hay  by 
presenting  his  unerring  rifle,  when,  strange  to  relate,  they  would  immedi- 
ately fall  down  in  the  grass  or  take  shelter  behind  the  trees — each  one,  no 
doubt,  supposing  the  well-aimed  shot  might  fell  him  to  the  earth.  In  this 
manner  an  irregular  firing  was  kept  up  by  the  Indians,  and  continued  re- 
treating by  Forney  and  his  wounded  companion  for  several  hours!  At  length, 
poor  Richards,  who  had  succeeded  in  retreating  about  two  miles,  partly  by 
his  own  exertions,  and  partly  by  being  carried  on  Forney's  hack,  became  faint 
from  loss  of  blood;  and  seeing  the  imminent  danger  of  his  friend's  life, 
directed  Forney  to  leave  him,  and  save  himself.  Forney  then  reluctantly 
left  him,  and  pursued  his  course  in  the  direction  of  the  Fort.  But  fortunately 
for  him,  the  Indians  did  not  pursue  him  much  farther,  being  probably  satisfied 
with  the  scalp  of  poor  Richards.  Upwards  of  eighty  years  have  rolled  by 
since  tlie  occurrence  of  this  tragical  event — that  generation,  and  even  their 
children,  have  nearly  all  descended  to  the  tomb,  but  still  the  grave  of  the 
kind-hearted  Richards  can  be  pointed  out  to  the  inquiring  stranger,  not  far 
from  the  place  where  he  met  his  untimely  end.  In  this  unequal  contest 
Forney  only  received  a  small  wound  on  the  back  of  his  left  hand,  but  on  ex- 
amination, he  discovered  that  numerous  balls  had  pierced  his  clothes.  This 
skirmish  shows  what  cool,  determined  bravery  may  effect  under  the  most  dis- 
couraging circumstances ;  and  that  an  individual  may  sometimes  providen- 
tially escape,  although  made  the  object  of  a  score  of  bullets,  or  of  other 
missiles  of  destruction.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  Forney  reached  the 
Fort,  the  attack  having  commenced  about  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  The  occupants 
had  heard  the  reports  of  the  repeated  firing,  and  were,  evidently,  greatly 
frightened.  On  his  arrival,  being  quite  thirsty,  he  called  for  a  drink  of 
water,  but  the  supply  in  the  Fort  was  exhausted,  and,  strange  to  relate,  not 
one  could  be  found  willing  to  run  the  hazard  of  going  to  the  spring,  although 
not  far  off!  Seeing  their  great  fear,  he  seized  a  cup,  and  set  off  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the -spring.  Immediately,  nearly  the  whole  of  the  inmates  rushed  out 
from  the  Fort,  and  followed  him,  believing  themselves  perfectly  safe  in  the 
presence  of  one  wlio  had  withstood  unharmed  all  of  the  Indian  bullets  for 
nearly  half  a  day !     After  this  adventure  and  narrow  escape  became  gene- 


LINCOLN  COUNTY.  243 

rally  known,  a  belief  was  entertained  by  the  credulous  portion  of  the  com- 
munity, that  Forney  was  bullet-proof.  It  was  even  affirmed  that,  after  he 
reached  the  Fort,  he  unbuttoned  his  vest,  and  nearly  a  jKck  of  bullets  dropped 
out!  In  subsequent  years  Forney  was  accustomed  to  smile  at  this  innocent 
credulity  of  his  neighbors,  but  frequently  remarked  that  the  impression  of 
his  being  bullet-proof  was  of  great  service  to  him  in  the  trying  times  preceding 
and  during  the  Revohitionary  War. 

Another  remarkable  incident,  and  perhaps  sufficiently  interesting  to  claim 
a  place  in  this  sketch,  was  the  following :  When  Cornwallis  passed  through 
Lincoln  County  in  pursuit  of  JVIorgan,  it  is  well  known  he  was  arrested  in 
his  pi'ogress  by  high-waters.  During  this  apparently  providential  detention, 
he  was  conducted  by  a  Tory  to  Forney's  plantation,  about  two  miles  from  the 
main  road.  Here  he  remained  encamped  for  three  days,  consuming,  in  the 
meantime,  Forney's  entire  stock  of  cattle,  hogs,  &c.  But  the  extent  of  his 
loss  did  not  end  here.  His  Lordship  had  been  informed  that  Forney  had  a 
considerable  amount  of  money  stored  up,  and  that,  if  diligent  search  were 
made,  it  might  be  readily  found.  This  information  set  the  British  to  work, 
and,  aided  by  the  Tory's  suggestions,  they  finally  succeeded  in  finding  his 
gold,  jewelry,  &c.,  a  considei-able  portion  of  which  he  had  brought  with  him 
from  Germany.  Whilst  this  work  of  search  was  going  on  without,  his  Lord- 
ship was  quietly  occupying  his  Head-Quarters  up  stairs,  cogitating,  perhaps, 
on  some  decisive  course  of  future  operations  and  military  glory !  Forney 
being  old,  and  found  unarmed,  was  not  molested  in  his  person  or  family, 
and  was  allowed  the  privilege  of  living  in  the  cellar.  As  soon  as  he  ascer- 
tained his  gold  and  jewelry  were  taken,  he  seized  his  gun,  and  rushed  into 
the  house  with  the  determination  of  killing  Cornwallis,  but  his  wife  quickly 
followed,  and  intercepted  him  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs,  thus  preventing  the 
most  deplorable  consequences — the  loss,  perhaps,  of  his  own  life  and  that  of 
his  whole  family.  But  the  prudent  advice  of  his  wife,  "  Heaven's  last,  best 
gift  to  man,"  had  its  proper  effect,  and  caused  him,  after  a  moment's  reflec- 
tion, to  desist  from  his  purpose.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  inform  the 
reader  he  was  punished  in  this  severe  manner  for  his  well-known  opposition 
to  the  unjust  claims  of  Great  Britain,  and  zealous  support  of  the  cause  of 
liberty. 

After  Cornwallis  left,  Forney  ascertained  that  the  Tory  informer  was  a 
certain  Mr.  Deck,  one  of  his  near  neighbors,  with  whom  he  had  always  lived 
on  terms  of  friendship.  Considering  the  act  an  outrageous  breach  of  their 
hitherto  friendly  relations,  and  believing  the  heavy  losses  he  had  sustained 
mainly  attributable  to  the  Tory's  agency,  he  could  not  overlook  the  enormity 
of  the  offence.  He  accordingly  sent  a  message  to  the  Tory,  that  he  must 
leave  the  neighborhood  :  if  not,  he  ivould  shoot  him  at  ihQ  first  opportunitij .  The 
Tory,  however,  did  not  think  it  proper  to  comply  immediately  with  this  stern 
message.  Forney  hearing  of  this,  armed  himself,  and  went  in  pursuit ;  but 
the  Tory  eluded  him  by  lying  out,  and  otherwise  concealing  himself.  At 
length,  Forney  came  upon  him  one  day  fast  asleep.  He  raised  his  gun  to 
shoot  him,  but,  at  that  moment,  concluded  he  would  rouse  him  from  his 
slumbers  before  depriving  him  of  his  existence.  The  Tory  was  accordingly 
waked  up.  As  soon  as  he  beheld  his  dangerous  situation,  he  immediately 
commenced  supplicating  most  earnestly  for  life,  and  making  solemn  promises 
to  leave  the  neighborhood.  Forney,  although  smarting  under  his  heavy 
losses,  yet  could  not  resist  such  earnest  and  touching  appeals  to  his  mercy, 
desisted  from  his  purpose,  and  let  him  off.  In  the  course  of  a  few  days,  the 
Tory,  true  to  his  promise,  left  the  neighborhood,  and  never  afterwards  re- 
turned. 

During  the  Revolutionary  War  Forney  was  a  firm  and  zealous  Whig. 
Being  too  old  to  bear  arms,  his  patriotic  sentiments  were  early  instilled  into 
his  rising  generation.  His  three  sons,  Jacob,  Peter,  and  Abram,  were  all 
unwavering  Whigs,  and  sustained  an  honorable  part  in  the  cause  of  freedom. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  died  in  1806,  near  to  the  place  where  he  first 
settled,  in  the  85th  year  of  his  age. 


244  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

General  Peter  Fornet,  the  subject  of  this  biographical  sketch,  was  the 
second  son  of  Jacob  Forney,  Sen.,  and  born  in  Lincoln  County,  April,  ITOb. 
His  father  was  the  son  of  a  French  Huguenot,  and  his  mother  a  bwiss.  His 
descent  is  thus  traced  to  a  noble  stock  of  people,  whose  names  and  whose 
deeds  adorn  the  historic  page,  and  are  inseparably  connected  with  the  cause 
of  civil  and  religious  liberty.  ,      ^^.       ^ ,,     -n       ,   ^-  -d  v     •       +1,^ 

General  Forney  was  a  patriot  and  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  Believing  the 
cause  of  freedom  to  be  the  cause  of  justice,  no  persuasive  argument  was  ne- 
cessary to  enlist  his  warmest  feelings  for  resistance,  and  arouse  him  to  prompt 
and  energetic  action.  On  several  occasions,  when  the  calls  of  duty  summoned, 
his  services  were  cheerfullv  rendered  in  assisting  to  repel  the  enemy,  and  m 
defendino-  his  country's  rights.  Having  borne  an  honorable  part  in  the  es- 
tablishment of  independence,  his  attention  was  naturally  directed,  at  the  con- 
clusion of  the  war,  to  the  selection  of  some  useful  pursuit.  His  determina- 
tion was  soon  made  up,  and  he  engaged  in  early  life,  associated  with  a  com- 
pany in  the  making  uf  iron,  then  a  new  and  lucrative  employment.  After  a 
few  years,  the  co-partnership  was  dissolved.  He  then  purchased  lands  on 
Leeper's  Creek,  in  the  same  neighborhood,  and  commenced  business  on  his 
own  account.  Here  he  permanently  settled  for  life,  prospered  in  his  useful 
callino-,  and  acquired  considerable  wealth.  His  residence  received  the  name 
of  "Mount  Welcome,"  an  appellation  appropriately  bestowed,  as  his  future 
history  clearly  proved.  The  poor  of  his  own  neighborhood  were  frequently 
the  beneficiaries  of  his  bounty  ;  and  the  weary  traveler  was  at  all  times  made 
"welcome,"  and  entertained  beneath  his  hospitable  roof,  " without  money, 

and  without  price."  ,    i      r-         i. 

In  1783,  he  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Nancy  Abernathy,  a  lady  oi  great 
worth,  full  of  kind  feelings,  and  benevolent  in  all  her  ways  and  actions.  The 
natural  goodness  of  her  heart  made  her  the  "cheerful  giver,"  and  a  portion  of 
whatever  a  kind  Providence  had  placed  at  her  disposal,  was  freely  dispensed  in 
relieving  the  wants  of  the  poor  and  the  needy.  Her  numerous  acts  of  charity, 
so  well  known  in  her  lifetime,  were  free  of  all  ostentation,  and  flowed  silently 
forth,  like  gentle  streams,  imparting  new  vigor,  and  refreshing  everything  in 
their  course. 

An  anecdote,  illustrative  of  Mrs.  Forney's  domestic  habits,  may  be  here  re- 
lated. A  gentleman  passing  by  "  Mount  Welcome,"  General  Forney's  resi- 
dence, and  wishing  to  leave  a  message  with  the  General,  on  some  matter  of 
business,  accordingly  called  for  that  purpose.  Before,  however,  he  reached 
the  gate  immediately  in  front  of  the  dwelling-house,  he  passed  the  cow-pen, 
by  the  road-side,  where  he  discovered  a  white  woman,  with  one  or  two  ser- 
vantL.,  busily  engaged  in  milking  cows.  He  inquired  of  the  white  woman, 
whom  he  supposed  to  be  some  hired  dairy  maid,  if  General  Forney  was  at 
home.  She  informed  him  he  was  not.  Then,  replied  the  stranger,  "  /  u-ould 
like  to  see  Ms  lady,  and  would  be  very  much  obliged  to  you  if  you  would  just 
step  to  the  house  and  request  her  to  come  to  the  gate  for  a  moment."  The 
lady  then  informed  him,  he  had  7ww  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Mrs.Forneij,  and 
that  she  would  cheerfully  deliver  any  message  he  might  leave.  The  stranger, 
as  might  be  imagined,  felt  greatly  abashed  at  his  mistake — made  an  apology, 
which  was  kindly  and  good-humoredly  received  by  Mrs.  Forney.  He  de- 
livered his  message,  and  then  pursued  his  course. 

General  Forney  was  elected  as  a  member  to  the  House  of  Commons  from 
1794  to  1796,  inclusive ;  and  to  the  Senate  during  the  years  1801  and  1802. 
He  was  again  called  out  from  the  shades  of  private  life  by  the  partialities  of 
his  fellow-citizens,  and  elected  as  a  Representative  to  Congress  from  1813  to 
1815.  The  duties  of  which  several  important  trusts  he  performed  with  great 
acceptance  and  fidelity.  He  also  served  as  Elector  during  the  Presidential 
carapaigas  of  Jefferson,  Madison,  Monroe,  and  Jackson.  On  each  of  these 
occasions  he  was  selected  on  account  of  his  great  worth  of  character,  and  ex- 
tensive popularity.  With  these  repeated  evidences  of  popular  favor  his  public 
services  ended.  Frequent  solicitations  were  tendered  to  him  afterwards  to  be- 
come a  candidate,  all  of  which  he  declined.  The  infiraiities  of  old  age  were  noyr 
rapidly  stealing  upon  him,  and  rendering  him  unfit  for  the  discharge  of  public 


LINCOLN  COUNTY.  245 

duties.  Domestic  concerns  alone  occupied  his  attention  during  the  remainder 
of  his  days.  For  several  years  previous  to  his  decease,  his  mental  vigor  and 
corporeal  strength  greatly  failed.  It  was  now  evident  to  numerous  relatives 
and  friends,  that  his  earthly  pilgrimage  was  drawing  rapidly  to  its  close.  _  After 
a  short  illness,  without  great  pain  or  suffering,  he  quietly  departed  his  life, 
on  February  1st,  1834,  in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age,  a  bright  ex- 
ample of  the  useful  citizen  and  upright  man.  Generosity,  candor,  integrity, 
and  freedom  from  pride  or  vain  show,  were  prominent  traits  in  his  character. 
Let  his  name  and  his  deeds,  and  his  sterling  virtues  be  duly  appreciated,  and 
faithfully  imitated  by  the  rising  generation. 

Major  Daniel  M.  Forney  was  the  eldest  son  of  General  Peter  Forney,  and 
born  in  Lincoln  County,  May,  1784.  His  refined  sense,  excellent  judgment, 
and  great  personal  worth,  early  marked  him  out  for  a  sphere  of  public  use- 
fulness. He  was  accordingly  called  to  fill  several  important  trusts.  During 
the  late  war  with  Great  Britain,  he  received  the  appointment  of  Major,  the 
duties  of  which  responsible  office,  he  performed  with  fidelity  and  ability.  He 
served  as  a  Representative  to  Congress  from  1815  to  1818.  From  the  years 
1823  to  182G,  inclusive,  he  served  as  Senator  from  Lincoln  County.  In  each 
of  these  appointments,  and  others  of  less  note  which  he  filled,  faithfulness, 
integrity,  and  a  manly  independence,  marked  the  course  of  his  actions.  He 
never  resorted  to  the  wily  tricks  of  the  demagogue  to  secure  place  or  ofBce, 
but  relied  entirely  on  his  known  integrity,  and  a  candid  exposition  of  his 
views  and  sentiments. 

Major  Forney  married  Harriet,  daughter  of  Captain  Alexander  Brevard, 
by  whom  he  had  several  children. 

In  1834,  he  removed  to  Alabama,  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days.  His  ur- 
bane manners,  gentlemanly  deportment,  and  many  excellent  qualities  of  head 
and  heart,  gained  for  him,  in  his  new  location,  the  same  high  regard  that  justly 
pertained  to  him  in  his  native  State.  Being  seized  with  a  chronic  disease, 
he  gradually  sank  under  its  debilitating  effects,  and  died  with  peaceful  re- 
signation, at  his  adopted  home,  in  Lowndes  County,  Alabama,  October,  1847, 
in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age. 

Major  Abram  Forney  was  the  youngest  son  of  Jacob  Forney,  Sen.,  and  born 
in  Lincoln  County,  October,  1758.  He  was  a  patriot  and  soldier  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. At  the  youthful  age  of  sixteen,  he  entered  the  service  of  his  country, 
and  participated  in  several  engagements,  with  distinguished  bravery.  So 
strong  was  his  patriotic  ardor  and  military  enthusiasm,  that  on  one  or  two 
occasfons,  he  stole  off  from  his  father,  whose  unwillingness  arose  solely  from 
his  youthful  age.  At  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  then  twenty-two  years 
old,  he  fought  with  great  bravery,  and  performed  important  service  in  gain- 
ing'the  brilliant  victory  which  there  crowned  the  American  arms.  He  also 
participated  in  the  battle  at  Ramsour's,  near  Lincolnton,  with  conspicuous 
courage,  and  assisted  to  inflict  the  merited  scourging  which  Tory-loyalism 
there  "received.  His  recollection  of  Revolutionary  events  was  remarkably 
vivid  and  accurate.  No  more  exciting  theme  could  be  introduced  than  the 
"  times  which  tried  men's  souls,"  imparting,  as  it  were,  new  vigor,  and  en- 
kindling his  warmest  emotions  in  the  faithful  narration  of  memorable  events. 
Among  other  incidents  of  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  which  he  related, 
was  th'e  following: — "  Some  time  after  the  battle  commenced,  and  the  con- 
test became  warm  and  well-maintained  on  both  sides,  a  small  party  of  the 
Whigs,  not  liking  the  abundance  of  lead  flying  around  them,  and  occasionally 
cutting  down  some  gallant  soldier  at  their  side,  concluded  to  take  temporary 
shelter  behind  an  old  chestnut  tree— a  mere  shell— which  stood  near,  and  from 
its  walls  to  pour  forth  a  destructive  fire  against  the  enemy.  The  British, 
however,  presently  observed  the  quarter  whence  this  galling  fire  proceeded, 
and  immediately  returned  military  compliments  with  a  few  well-aimed  vol- 
leys at  the  old  shell,  completely  shivering  it.  The  concealed  soldiers  per- 
ceivino-  that  they  had  now  become  a  concentrated  object  of  attack,  and  stood 
a  very°good  chance  of  being  killed  with  splinters  instead  of  bullets,  boldly 


246  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

stepped  forth  from  their  retreat,  presented  an  unbroken  front,  and  fought 
bravely  to  the  close  of  the  engagement."  The  results  of  this  decisive  victory, 
in  which  so  much  bravery  was  displayed,  has  never  been  sufBciently  appre- 
ciated, or  even  fully  detailed  on  the  page  of  history.  That  spirit  of  Toryism 
and  loyalism  combined,  which  almost  reigned  triumphant  in  the  South  on 
account  of  previous  reverses  of  the  American  arms,  here  received  a  death-blow 
from  which  it  never  afterwards  recovered.  In  particular,  that  Tory  ascend- 
ancy, which  had  for  some  time  been  raising  aloft  its  insulting  head,  was  there 
completely  subdued.  But  to  secure  this  important  result,  some  of  the  bravest 
sioirits  of  the  Revolution  there  nobly  fell  in  the  cause  of  liberty.  Colonel 
Williams,  with  a  courage  indomitable  and  bravery  undaunted,  nobly  fell 
there  whilst  leading  liis  men  on  to  victory.  Among  his  last  words  to  his  re- 
giment, just  at  the  moment  of  marching  to  the  battle-ground,  were  these — 
"  Come  on,  my  boys— the  old  wagoner  never  backed  out  yet,"  Major  Chroni- 
cle, a  distinguished  Whig  of  Lincoln  County,  prompt  and  energetic  in  his 
movements,  and  greatly  esteemed,  there  also  met  his  untimely  end.  Indeed, 
on  no  previous  occasion  did  patriotic  ardor  ever  burn  with  more  fervency. 
Never  did  the  fixed  and  heroic  determination  to  conquer  or  die,  more  mani- 
festly exhibit  itself  among  both  officers  and  men.  But  nothing  more  than  a 
passing  tribute  to  the  actors  and  the  occasion  is  here  attempted.  Let  full 
honor  be  done,  by  some  future  historian,  to  the  memoir  of  the  gallant  sons 
of  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas,  who  achieved  this  important  victory. 

Abram  Forney  died  on  the  22d  of  July,  1849,  not  far  from  the  place  of  his 
nativity,  in  the  eighty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  C.  L.  II. 

lion.  Robert  II.  Burtox,  son  of  Colonel  Robert  Burton,  of  Granville,  was 
a  resident  of  Lincoln,  and  one  of  its  ablest  citizens.  He  was  born  in  Gran- 
ville County,  in  1781.  He  was  educated  at  the  University,  about  1799,  but 
did  not  graduate.  He  studied  law,  and  settled  in  Lincoln,  where  he  married 
the  daughter  of  John  Fulenwider,  Esq. 

He  applied  himself  with  such  assiduity  and  ability  to  his  profession,  that 
he  soon  rose  to  the  head  of  the  bar ;  and  in  1818,  he  was  appointed  a  Judge 
of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law,  which,  after  riding  one  circuit,  he  resigned. 

In  1830,  he  was  elected  Ti'easurer  of  the  State,  which  he  declined. 

As  a  Christian,  his  life  was  a  living  proof  of  his  sincerity;  as  a  citizen,  ho 
was  patriotic  and  enterprising ;  and  as  a  friend,  sincere  and  faithful. 

He  died  in  1842,  loved  and  lamented  by  all  who  knew  him,  leaving  a  wife 
and  seven  children  to  mourn  their  bereavement. 

The  late  Colonel  Michael  Hoke  was  a  native  .and  resident  of  this  county. 

He  was  the  son  of  the  late  Col.  John  Hoke,  an  enterprising  and  useful 
citizen  of  this  county,  and  born  in  1810. 

He  was  educated  chiefly  at  Captain  Patridge's  Military  Academy,  Middle- 
town,  Connecticut,  then  in  high  repute.  He  studied  law  with  Judge  Tucker 
in  Virginia,  and  finished  with  Hon.  R.  II.  Burton,  whose  daughter  Frances 
he  married. 

His  ease  of  manners,  brilliancy  of  oratory,  and  acquirements  in  his  pro- 
fession soon  won  him  "troops  of  friends"  and  an  extensive  practice. 

He  entered  early  "  the  stormy  sea"  of  politics,  and  in  1834  was  a  member 
from  Lincoln  in  the  House  of  Commons ;  which  he  held  continuously  until 
1842,  when  he  declined  a  re-election. 

In  1844  he  was  nominated  as  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Governor,  in 
opposition  to  Hon.  Wm.  A.  Graham,  the  present  Secretary  of  the  Navy;  and 
such  was  the  fairness  of  his  conduct,  his  open,  generous  temper,  his  elevated 
mode  of  argument,  that  even  in  high  excitement,  party  spirit  forgot  its  ran- 
cor ;  and  he  won,  as  he  deserved,  the  regard  and  respect  of  all  parties. 

His  career  was  short  as  it  was  brilliant.  He  died  at  Charlotte  on  the  9th 
September,  1844,  after  an  illness  of  ten  days. 

Captain  John  F.  Hoke,  the  brother  of  Col.  Hoke,  is  a  native  of  Lincoln, 
and  her  present  senator.^  He  graduated  at  the  University  in  1841,  and  studied 
law.     In  the  late  war  with  Mexico  he  volunteered,  and  was  appointed  Cap- 


LINCOLN  COUNTY. 


247 


tain  of  Infantry,  and  was  in  the  severely  contested  battles  of  Tolema,  Na- 
tional Bridge,  and  Cerro  Gordo. 

Hon.  "William  A.  Graham  is  a  native  of  this  county,  for  whose  biography 
see  Orange  County. 

Hon.  James  Graham  resides  in  this  county ;  a  brother  of  the  above,  and 
son  of  Gen.  Joseph  Graham. 

He  was  born  in  January,  1793,  and  was  educated  at  the  University,  and 
graduated  in  1814,  in  the  same  class  with  Aaron  V.  Brown  (late  Governor  of 
Tennessee),  Charles  Manly  (late  Governor  of  N.  C),  and  others. 

He  studied  law,  and  practiced  for  many  years  with  great  success.  He 
moved  to  Kutherford,  and  in  1822  represented  that  county  in  the  House  of 
Commons,  as  also  in  1823,  1828,  and  1829. 

He  was  elected  from  that  District  to  Congress  in  1833,  and  served  until 
1843,  and  elected  again  in  1845.  He  then  retired  from  public  life,  and  de- 
voted himself  to  agricultural  pursuits,  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Sep- 
tember, 1851. 

Rev.  Egbert  Hall  Morrison,  D.  D.,  whose  ambition  has  never  led  him 

"  The  applause  of  listening  Senates  to  command," 

but  to  discharge  the  far  more  important  duty  of  teaching  his  fellow-men 
"  wisdom's  ways,"  and  the  eterpal  truths  of  revelation,  also  resides  in  this 
county. 

He  graduated  in  1818  at  Chapel  Hill,  in  the  same  class  with  James  K. 
Polk,  Wm.  D.  Mosely  (late  Governor  of  Florida),  Hamilton  C.  Jones  and 
others.  He  has  been  pastor  of  several  Presbyterian  churches  of  the  State, 
President  of  Davidson  College,  and  is  now  pastor  of  Unity  and  Machpelah 
churches,  in  this  county.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Gen.  Graham.  He  is 
much  esteemed  by  those  who  know  him  best,  as  one 


whose  doctrine  and  whose  life 


Coincident,  exhibit  lucid  proof, 

That  he  is  honest  in  the  sacred  cause." 


List  of  members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Lincoln  County, 
from  date  of  its  formation  to  1850-51. 


Years.  Senate. 

1780.  James  Johnston, 

1781.  James  Johnston, 

1782.  James  Johnston, 

1783.  Robert  Alexander, 

1784.  Robert  Alexander, 

1785.  Robert  Alexander, 

1786.  Robert  Alexander, 

1787.  Robert  Alexander, 

1788.  Joseph  Dixon, 

1789.  Joseph  Dixon, 

1791.  Joseph  Dixon, 

1792.  Joseph  Dixon, 

1793.  Joseph  Dixon, 

1794.  Joseph  Dixon, 

1795.  Joseph  Dixon, 

1796.  Wallace  Alexander, 

1797.  Wallace  Alexander, 

1798.  Wallace  Alexander, 

1799.  Wallace  Alexander, 

1800.  Peter  Forney, 

1801.  Peter  Forney, 

1802.  Peter  Forney, 

1803.  Henrv  Hoke, 

25 


House  of  Commons. 

Valentine  Mauney,  John  Sloan. 
Robert  Alexander,  John  Sloan. 
Robert  Alexander,  John  Sloan. 
Daniel  McKissick,  John  Sloan. 
Daniel  McKissick,  John  Sloan, 
John  Sloan,  Daniel  McKissick. 
Daniel  McKissick,  John  Sloan. 
Daniel  McKissick,  Jos.  Jenkins. 
John  Moore,  Wm.  McLean. 
John  Moore,  Wm.  McLean. 
Wm.  McLean,  John  Moore. 
John  Moore,  Nathan  Alexander. 
John  Moore,  Nathan  Alexander. 
John  Moore,  Peter  Forney. 
Peter  Forney,  David  Robeson. 
Peter  Forney,  David  Robeson. 
Peter  Forney,  John  Ramsour. 
John  Moore,  John  Ramsour. 
John  Moore,  John  Reinhardt. 
John  Moore,  John  Reinhardt. 
Jesse  Robeson,  John  Moore. 
John  Moore,  Peter  Hoyle. 
John  Moore,  Peter  Hoyle. 


248 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

1804.  Henry  Hoke, 

1805.  Ephraim  Perking, 

1806.  David  Shufford, 

1807.  Andrew  Hoyle, 

1808.  Andrew  Hoyle, 

1809.  Andrew  Hoyle, 

1810.  John  Reid, 

1811.  John  Reid, 

1812.  David  Shufford, 

1813.  David  Shufford, 

1814.  William  McLean, 
181.5.  David  Shufford, 

1816.  David  Shufford, 

1817.  John  Reid, 

1818.  John  Reid, 

1819.  Peter  Hoyle, 

1820.  David  Shufford, 

1821.  Robert  Williamson, 

1822.  Robert  Williamson, 

1823.  Daniel  M.  Forney, 

1824.  Daniel  M.  Forney, 

1825.  Daniel  M.  Forney, 

1826.  Daniel  M.  Forney, 

1827.  Michael  Reinhardt, 

1828.  Michael  Reinhardt, 

1829.  Daniel  Hoke, 

1830.  Daniel  Hoke, 

1831.  Daniel  Hoke, 

1832.  Daniel  Hoke, 

1833.  Daniel  Hoke, 

1834.  Bartlett  Shipp, 

1835.  John  B.  Harry, 

1836.  Michael  Reinhardt, 

1838.  Michael  Reinhardt, 

1840.  Thomas  Ward, 

1842.  A.Ray, 

1844.  Larkin  Stowe, 

1846.  Larkin  Stowe, 

1848.  Henry  W.  Conner, 

1850.  John  F.  Hoke, 


House  of  Commons. 

John  Moore,  Peter  Hoyle. 

John  Moore,  Peter  Hoyle. 

John  Moore,  Peter  Hoyle. 

Peter  Hoyle,  Jones  Abernathy. 

Peter  Hoyle,  Jones  Abernathy. 

Daniel  Hoke,  Robert  Patterson. 

Peter  Hoyle,  Daniel  Hoke. 

Daniel  Hoke,  Peter  Hoyle. 

Daniel  Hoke,  Peter  Hoyle. 

Peter  Hoyle,  Daniel  Hoke. 

R.  Patterson,  -John  Ramsour. 

Peter  Hoyle,  Daniel  Hoke. 

Peter  Hoyle,  Daniel  Hoke. 

Peter  Hoyle,  Henry  T.  Webb. 

Robert  Williamson,  -J.  F.  Brevard, 

Robert  Williamson,  D.  Conrad. 

D.  Conrad,  Robert  Williamson. 

Peter  Hoke,  Oliver  W.  Holland. 

Peter  Hoke,  Daniel  Conrad. 

0.  W.  Holland,  Daniel  Conrad. 

Bartlett  Shipp,  Daniel  Conrad. 

0.  W.  Holland,  Daniel  Conrad. 

0.  W.  Holland,  Bartlett  Shipp. 

Alex.  J.  M.  Brevard,  Daniel  Conrad. 

Bartlett  Shipp,  Andrew  H.  Loretz. 

Bartlett  Shipp,  Andrew  H.  Loretz, 

Bartlett  Shipp,  Andrew  H.  Loretz. 

Myles  W.  Abernathy,  Henry  Cansler. 

Myles  W.  Abernathy,  Henry  Cansler. 

Daniel  Conrad,  AV'illiam  Johnson. 

Michael  Hoke,  Henry  Cansler. 

Henry  Cansler,  Michael  Hoke. 

Michael  Hoke,  Henry  Cansler,  0.  W. 
Holland,  Thomas  Ward. 

M.  Hoke,  John  Killian,  0.  W.  Hol- 
land, AV.  W.  Monday. 

M.  Hoke,  0.  W.  Holland,  W.  W.  Mon- 
day, .John  Killian. 

Larkin  Stowe,  Jas.  H.  White,  Nathaniel 
Wilson,  John  Yount. 

James  H.  White,  Nathaniel  Wilson, 
F.  D.  Reinhardt,  Richard  Rankin. 

James  H.  White,  Franklin  D.  Rein- 
hardt, N.  AYilson,  John  AVebster. 

J.  H.  AVhite,  Franklin  D.  Reinhardt, 
S.  N.  Stowe,  Andrew  H.  Shufford. 

Richard  Rankin,  F.  D.  Reinhardt,  S. 
N.  Stowe,  Henderson  Sherrill. 


MACDOWELL  COUIvTY.  249 


CHAPTER    XLVII. 


MACDOWELL   COUNTY. 


MacDowell  County  was  erected  in  1842,  and  called  in  honor  of 
Colonel  Joseph  MacDowell,  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  Revolution, 
for  whose  biography  see  below. 

It  was  formed  from  portions  of  Rutherford  and  Burke  Counties, 
with  which  counties  it  still  votes  until  after  the  next  session  (1852). 

It  is  situated  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded  on 
the  north  by  the  Blue  Ridge,  which  separates  it  from  Yancey  and 
Watauga  Counties,  east  by  Burke,  south  by  Rutherford,  and  west 
by  the  Blue  Ridge,  which  separates  it  from  Yancey  and  Buncombe. 

It  is  called  in  honor  of  Colonel  Joseph  MacDowell,  who  resided  in  this 
county.  He  was  born  at  Pleasant  Garden,  on  Feb.  25th,  1758.  He  was  dis- 
tingufshed  as  a  soldier  and  as  a  statesman.  He  married  Mary  Moffet,  by 
-whom  he  had  several  children.  Among  them,  Colonel  James  MacDowell,  of 
Yancey,  John  MacDowell,  of  Rutherford,  and  the  wife  of  Captain  Charles 
MacDowell,  now  residing  near  Morganton.  After  his  death,  April,  1795,  she 
married  Colonel  John  Carson,  of  Pleasant  Garden,  and  by  him  she  had  a 
number  of  children,  among  them  the  Hon.  Samuel  P.  Carson. 

Maiiion  is  the  county  seat,  and  called  after  the  distinguished 
partisan  General  of  South  Carolina,  Francis  Marion,  and  is  distant 
from  Raleigh  about  two  hundred  miles. 

Francis  Marion  was  born  in  .Charleston,  in  1732.  He  was  Major  in  Col. 
Moultrie's  Regiment,  and  distinguished  himself  in  the  repulse  of  the  British  in 
their  attack  of  Sullivan's  Island  in  1776.  He  was  appointed  Brigadier-General 
in  1780.  AVhile  the  British  overwhelmed  South  Carolina,  Marion  retreated 
with  his  men  to  the  swamps  of  his  native  State,  from  which  he  made  frequent 
and  successful  sorties  on  the  enemy,  and  much  annoyed  them.  He  jvas  with 
General  Greene  in  tlie  bloody  engagement  of  the  Eutaws  (Sep.,  1781),  and 
received  the  thanks  of  Congress  for  his  gallantry.     He  died  in  1795. 

The  population  of  MacDowell  County,  according  tp  the  census  of  1850,  is 
4,777  whites;  1,2G2 slaves  ;  207 free  negroes;  5,741  representative  population. 


250  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER    XLVIII. 


MACON  COUNTY. 


Macon  County  was  formed,  in  1828,  from  Haywood  County,  and 
called  in  honor  of  Hon.  Nathaniel  Macon,  of  Warren  County,  who 
was  long  the  representative  in  Congress  from  the  Warren  District, 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  Senator  in  Congress  ; 
for  whose  biography  see  Warren  County. 

It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  western  portion  of  North  Carolina, 
and  bounded  on  the  north  by  Haywood  County,  east  by  the  moun- 
tains, which  separate  it  from  Henderson,  south  by  the  South  Caro- 
lina line  and  Cherokee  County,  and  west  by  the  Smoky  Mountain, 
which  separates  it  from  Tennessee. 

Its  capital  is  Franklin,  three  hundred  and  thirty-one  miles  west 
from  Raleigh,  romantically  situated  on  the  Little  Tennessee. 

Its  population  is  5,613  whites;  121  Indians ;  549  slaves ;  207  free  negroes ; 
6,169  representative  population. 

Its  products  are,  125,820  bushels  of  corn;  32,855  bushels  of  oats;  6,311 
bushels  of  wheat ;  4,125  bushels  of  rye ;  2,983  pounds  of  tobacco  ;  6,447  pounds 
of  wool. 

The  River  Nan-ti-ha-lah,  flows  through  this  County,  Its  Indian  name 
signifies  the  "  Maiden's  Bosom,"  from  the  crystal  purity  of  its  waters,  and  its 
rapid  and  undulating  motion. 

At  the  head  of  the  River  Too-ge-lah*  is  one  of  the  remarkable  curiosities  of 
this  mountain  country.  It  is  a  granite  cliff  with  a  smooth  surface  a  half  a 
mile  long,  and  twelve  hundred  feet  wide,  called  by  the  natives  White  Side 
Mountain,  or  Devil's  Court  House,  on  the  top  of  which  is  a  cave. 

LIST  OP  MEMBERS  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY. 

MACON  COUNTY. 
Years.  Senators.  House  of  Commons. 

1831.  James  W.  Guinn,         Thomas  Tatham,  J.ames  Whitaker. 

1832.  Benjamin  S.Brittain,  James  Whitaker,  Asaph  Enloe. 

1833.  Benjamin  S.  Brittain,  Jas.  W.  Guinn,  Thomas  Tatham. 

1834.  Benjamin  S.  Brittain,  Jas.  W.  Guinn,  Thomas  Tatham. 

1835.  Benjamin  S.  Brittain,  Jas.  W.  Guinn,  Jacob  Siler. 

1836.  James  Gudger,  James  W.  Guinn. 
1838.  Hodge  Raburn,  Jacob  Siler. 
1840.  Thomas  L.  Clingman,  Jacob  Siler. 
1842.  I.  Cathy,                       James  Whitaker. 
1844.  Michael  Francis,         T.  J.  Roane. 
1846.  Michael  Francis,          John  Y.  Hicks. 
1848.  William  H.  Thomas,   John  Y.  Hicks, 
1850.  William  II,  Thomas,    David  W,  Siler, 

*  Letters  from  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  by  Charles  Lanman,  p.  74. 


MADISON  COUNTY.  -  251 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 


MADISON  COUNTY. 


Madison  County  was  formed,  in  1850,  from  Buncombe  and 
Yancey  Counties,  and  called  in  honor  of  James  Madison,  the  fourth 
President  of  the  United  States. 

It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  western  portion  of  the  State  ;  and 
is  hounded  on  the  north  and  west  by  the  Bald  Mountain,  which 
separates  it  from  Tennessee,  on  the  east  by  Yancey,  and  south  by 
Haywood  and  Buncombe- 
It  is  not  yet  organized,  and  more  will  be  said  hereafter  of  it. 
Its  county  seat  is  to  be  called  Marshall,  which  is  not  to  be  within 
two  miles  of  the  French  Broad  River.     (Acts  of  1850-51.) 


CHAPTER   L. 


MARTIN  COUNTY. 


Martin  County  was  erected,  in  1774,  from  Halifax  and  Fay- 
ette Counties,  and  called  in  honor  of  Josiah  Martin,  then  the 
Royal  Governor  (and  the  last)  of  the  Colony  of  North  Carolina. 

For  his  character  and  conduct,  see  vol.  i.  62. 

It  is  situated  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  State,  and  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Roanoake  River,  which  separates  it  from  Bertie, 
east  by  Washington  County,  south  by  Pitt,  and  west  by  Edge- 
combe County. 

Its  capital  is  Williamston,  situated  on  the  banks  of  Roanoake, 
one  hundred  and  forty  miles  east  of  Raleigh- 
Its  population  is  4615  whites  ;  3367  slaves  ;  325  free  negroes ;  6960  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  products  (annual)  are  251,403  bushels  corn;  291,686  lbs.  cotton;  ,4io 
bushels  oats;  5158  bushels  wheat;  4414  lbs.  wool ;  600  bbls.  fish;  22,601 
bbls.  turpentine. 

To  the  General  Meeting  of  Deputies  at  Newbern,  on  25th  August,  17/4, 
Martin  sent  Edmund  Smithwick. 

To  Hillsboro',  21st  Aug.,  1775,  she  sent  Kenneth  McKenzie,  Whitmel 
Hill,  John  Eyeritt,  William  Slade,  John  Stuakt,  and  William  Williams. 


252 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


To  Halifax,  on  4th  April,  1776,  she  sent  William  Williams,  Whitmel 
Hill  Kenneth  McKenzie,  Thomas  Wiggins,  and  Edytard  Smithwick. 

To' the  Cono-ress  at  Halifiix,  12th  Nov.,  1776,  she  sent  William  Williams, 
Whitmel  IIii°,  Thomas  Hunter,  John  Hardison,  and  Samuel  Smithwick. 

The  officers  for  this  county  were  William  Williams,  Colonel ;  Whitmel 
Hill,  Lieut«nant-ColoneI;  Thomas  Wiggins,  Major;  Kenneth  McKenzie, 
Second  Major. 

Hon.  Whitmel  Hill  resided  in  this  county.  He  was  distinguished  for  his 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  a  man  of  strong  natural  sense  and  of  culti- 
vated mind.  He  was  born  in  Bertie  on  the  12th  February,  1743,  son  of  John 
and  Martha  Hill,  and  was  educated  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  at 
which  he  graduated.  ^  ,       ,   ,  ,  .    , 

He  early  entered  with  great  earnestness  into  the  dubious  and  dangeroua 
conflict  between  England  and  America,  and  threw  into  the  scale  of  liberty 
his  "  life,  his  fortune,  and  his  sacred  honor." 

In  1775  he  was  a  delegate  from  Martin  to  the  Assembly  of  Freemen^  at 
Hillsboro',  and  was  in  the  State  Congress  in  Halifax  in  April,  1776,  which 
placed  the  State  in  military  organization,  and,  in  Nov.,  1776,  which  formed 
our  present  State  Constitution. 

In  1778  he  was  delegated  to  the  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  and 
served  until  1781. 

He  resided  at  Hill's  Ferry,  in  Martin  County,  near  the  Halifax  line,  where 
he  died,  26th  September,  1797.  He  -was  a  man  of  fine  literary  attainments, 
a  devoted  patriot,  and  useful  citizen. 

He  married  Winnefred  Blount,  of  Chowan,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons, 
Joseph,  John,  and  Thomas  Blount,  and  one  daughter,  Elizabeth.  Joseph 
and  John  died  young  without  issue.  Thomas  B.  Hill  left  a  large  family  of 
children  and  grandchildren,  among  whom  is  Whitmel  B.  Hill,  Esq.,  of  Halifax, 
Mrs.  Spruill,  and  others.  His  daughter  Elizabeth  married  John  Anthony, 
of  Philadelphia,  from  whom  a  large  family  has  sprung. 

Hon.  Asa  Biggs  is  a  native  and  resident  of  this  county.  He  was  born. 4th 
Feb.,  1811.  He  is  by  profession  a  lawyer,  and  was  licensed  in  1831.  He 
entered  public  life,  in  1840,  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  was 
re-elected  in  1842.     In  18  W  he  served  in  the  Senate. 

In  1845  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Representatives  in  Congress,  where 
he  served  with  credit  to  himself  and  great  satisfaction  to  his  constituents. 
He  is  now  (with  Hon.  R.  M.  Saunders  and  B.  F.  Moore,  Esq.)  engaged  in 
digesting  and  revising  the  statute-laws  of  the  State. 

List  of  the  members  from  Martin  County,  from  1777  to  1850-51. 


years.         .  Senate. 

1777.  William  Williams, 

1778.  AVhitmel  Hill, 

1779.  AVhitmel  Hill, 

1780.  Whitmel  Hill, 

1781.  K.  McKenzie, 

1782.  K.  McKenzie, 

1783.  K.  McKenzie, 

1784.  Whitmel  Hill, 

1785.  Whitmel  Hill, 

1786.  Nathan  Maj^o, 

1787.  Nathan  Mayo, 

1788.  Nathan  Mayo, 

1789.  Nathan  Mayo, 

1790.  Nathan  Mayo, 

1791.  Nathan  Mayo, 

1792.  Ebenezer  Slade, 

1793.  Ebenezer  Slade, 

1794.  Ebenezer  Slade, 


House  of  Commons. 

Whitmel  Hill,  Wm.  Slade. 
Nathan  Mayo,  E.  E.  Smithwick. 
Saml.  Smithwick,  Saml.  Williams. 
Edmd.  Smithwick,  -John  Averit. 
Saml.  Smithwick,  Saml.  Williams. 
Saml.  Smithwick,  Saml.  AVillianrs. 
Saml.  Smithwick,  Saml.  Williams. 
Nathan  Mayo,  John  Ross. 
Edmd.  Smithwick,  Saml.  Williams. 
Joseph  Bryan,  AVm.  McKenzie. 
Joseph  Bryan,  Edmd.  Smithwick. 
William  Williams,  Ebenezer  Slade. 
William  Williams,  John  Mayo. 
Ebenezer  Slade,  Jesse  Cherry. 
Ebenezer  Slade,  Jesse  Cherry. 
Jesse  Cherry,  Ebenezer  Smithwick. 
Ebenezer  Smithwick,  Wm.  Griffin. 
Matthew  Yarrell,  John  Kennedy. 


MARTIN  COUNTY. 


253 


Years.  Senate. 

1795.  Ebenezer  Slade, 

1796.  Ebenezer  Slade, 

1797.  William  McKenzie, 

1798.  William  McKenzie, 

1799.  William  McKenzie, 

1800.  William  McKenzie, 

1801.  John  Hyman, 

1802.  John  Hyman, 

1803.  Jeremiah  Slade, 

1804.  John  Hyman, 

1805.  John  Stewart, 

1806.  Jeremiah  Slade, 

1807.  James  Burroughs, 

1808.  James  Burroughs, 

1809.  Jeremiah  Slade, 

1810.  Jeremiah  Slade, 

1811.  Jeremiah  Slade, 

1812.  Jeremiah  Slade, 

1813.  Jeremiah  Slade, 

1814.  Jeremiah  Slade, 

1815.  Jeremiah  Slade, 

1816.  Simmons  J.  Baker, 

1817.  Simmons  J.  Baker, 

1818.  Simmons  J.  Baker, 

1819.  William  Darlett, 

1820.  Lewellen  Bowers, 

1821.  Samuel  Hyman, 

1822.  Samuel  Hyman, 

1823.  Lewellen  Bowers, 

1824.  John  A.  Smithwick, 

1825.  John  A.  Smithwick, 

1826.  Jos.  J.  Williams, 

1827.  Jos.  J.  Williams, 

1828.  Jos.  J.  Williams, 

1829.  Jos.  J.  AVilliams, 

1830.  Jos.  J.  Williams, 

1831.  Jesse  Cooper, 

1832.  David  Latham, 

1833.  David  Latham, 

1834.  Jesse  Cooper, 

1835.  Jesse  Cooper, 

1836.  Jesse  Cooper, 
1838.  Jesse  Cooper, 
1840.  Jesse  Cooper, 
1842.  Jesse  Cooper, 
1844.  Asa  Biggs, 
1846.  Daniel  Ward, 
1848.  Daniel  AVard, 
1850.    W.  R.  W.  Sherrod, 


House  of  Commons. 
Joseph  Bryan,  Jesse  Cherry. 
G.  Sheppard,  John  Stewart. 
Jeremiah  Slade,  John  Hyman. 
Jeremiah  Slade,  John  Hyman. 
Jeremiah  Slade,  John  Hyman. 
Jeremiah  Slade,  John  Hyman. 
William  Biggs,  Jesse  Cherry.    _ 
Jeremiah  Slade,  Edmd.  Smithwick. 
Thomas  Hyman,  William  Pierce. 
Stephen  Fagan,  Joel  Cherry. 
James  Burroughs,  Joel  Cherry. 
James  Wiggins,  James  Burroughs. 
Joel  Cherry,  James  Sheppard. 
•Joel  Cherry,  James  Sheppard. 
Henry  G.  Williams,  Joel  Cherry. 
Henry  G.  Williams,  James  Sheppard. 
Joel  Cherry,  Andrew  Joyner. 

Andrew  Joyner,  Joel  Cherry. 

Andrew  Joyner,  Joel  Cherry. 

Simmons  J.  Baker,  John  Guyther. 

Simmons  J.  Baker,  Gabriel  L.  Stewart. 

Joel  Cherry,  Gabriel  L.  Stewart, 

Darling  Cherry,  Jos.  J.  Williams, 

Wm.  Roulhae,  Darling  Cherry. 

J.  Pt.  Ballard,  Darling  Cherry. 

-Jos.  R.  Ballard,  Darling  Cherry. 

Alfred  M.  Slade,  Jos.  R.  Ballard. 

Jesse  Cooper,  Lawrence  Cherry. 

L.  Cherry,  Gab.  L.  Stewart. 

L.  Cherry,  Gabriel  L.  Stewart. 

David  Latham,  Jesse  Cooper. 

David  Latham,  Jesse  Cooper. 

Gab.  L,  Stewart,  Jesse  Cooper, 

Jesse  Cooper,  David  Latham, 

Jesse  Cooper,  Wm.  Watts, 

Jesse  Cooper,  Wm.  Watts, 

Joseph  Robinson,  John  Cloman, 

Jas.  L.  G.  Baker,  Edwin  S.  Smithwick. 

John  Cloman,  Edwin  S.  Smithwick. 
Raleigh  Roebuck,  Alfred  M.  Slade. 

Raleigh  Roebuck,  Alfred  M.  Slade. 

Raleigh  Roebuck. 

Raleigh  Roebuck. 

Asa  Biggs. 

Asa  Biggs. 

J.  Woodard. 

A.  H.  Coffield. 

A.  H.  Cof&eld. 

Wm.  L.  Missell. 


254  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER   LI 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY. 


Date  of  erection — Origin  of  name — Situation  and  boundaries — Population 
and  products — Distinguished  citizens  and  memliers  of  Assembly. 

Mecklenburg  County  was  formed  in  1762  from  Anson  County, 
and  called  in  honor  of  the  new  queen,  Princess  Charlotte,  of  Meck- 

lenbui'g.* 

It  is  situated  in  tho  south-western  portion  of  the  State,  and  is 
bounded  on  the  north  by  Iredell  County,  east  by  Cabarrus,  south 
by  Union,  and  the  South  Carolina  line,  and  west  by  the  Catawba 
River,  which  separates  it  from  Lincoln  and  Gaston  Counties. 

Its  capital  is  Charlotte,  and  distant  one  hundred  and  fifty-eight 
miles  south-west  from  Raleigh. 

Its  population  8284  -whites;  5473  slaves;  157  free  negroes;  11,724  repre- 
sentative population. 

Products  (annual)  1,595,327  pounds  cotton  ;  22,876  pounds  wool ;  78,315 
bushels  wheat;  586,928  bushels  corn;  61,407  bushels  oats  ;  1,600  dollars  of 
gold. 

There  is  no  portion  of  the  State  whose  early  record  presents  a  more  glow- 
ing page  of  patriotism  and  valor  than  Mecklenburg.  The  temper  and  cha- 
racter of  her  people  were  early  shown.  In  1766,  George  Selwyn,  who  had 
obtained  large  grants  of  land  from  the  crown,  was  about  locating  them  iu 
this  county.  The  people  arose  in  arms,  seized  the  surveyor,  Eustace  McCcl- 
LOCK,  and  compelled  him  to  desist. 

Here  was  the  early  buzzing  of  that  "  Hornet's  Nest,"  that  in  less  than  ten 
years  was  first  to  sting  the  power  of  royalty  itself,  in  these  colonies.f 

It  is  the  birth-place  of  liberty.  Here  in  May,  1775,  the  patriots  of  Meck- 
lenburg assembled  and  resolved  to  be  free  and  independent  of  England.  In 
addition  to  the  resolves  of  20th  May,  1775,  already  quoted,  the  following 
original  documents  are  presented,  which  are  authentic,  and  present  evidence 
not  controvertible  of  this  immortal  transaction. 

From  State  Paper  Office,  London,  Geo.  Vol.  218. 

G.  Bancroft's  Collection,  1775,  page  107. 

Gov.  Wright  to  Secretary  of  State. 

Savannah  in  Georgia,  the  2Qth,  June,  1775. 
(In  his  own  handwriting). 

"By  the  enclosed  paper  your  lordship  will  see  the  extraordinary  resolves 
by  the  people  in  Charlotte  town,  in  Mecklenburg  County,  and  I  should  not 
be  surprised  if  the  same  should  be  done  everywhere  else. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  perfect  esteem, 
My  lord,  your  lordship's  most 

obliged  and  obedient  servant, 

JAS.  WPtlGHT. 
To  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  &c.  &c." 

»  Martin,  History  of  North  Carolina,  ii.  172.  -f  See  vol.  i.  44. 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  255 

Extract  from  iJie  South  Carolina  Gazette  and  County  Journal,  of  June, 
1775,  No.  498 — Printed  at  Charlestown  ly  Charles  Crouch,  on  the  Bay, 
corner  of  Elliott  Street. 

Charlottetown,  Mecklenburg  County,  May  Z\st,  1775. 

This  day  the  Committee  of  this  county  met  and  passed  the  following  re- 
solves : — 

Whereas,  By  an  address  presented  to  His  Majesty  by  both  Houses  of  Par- 
liament in  February  last,  the  American  Colonies  are  declared  to  be  in  a  state 
of  actual  rebellion,  we  conceive  that  all  laws  and  commissions  confirmed  by 
or  derived  from  the  authority  of  the  King  and  Parliament  are  annulled  and 
vacated,  and  the  former  civil  constitution  of  these  colonies  for  the  present 
wholly  suspended.  To  provide  in  some  degree  for  the  exigencies  of  this 
county  in  the  present  alarming  period,  we  deem  it  proper  and  necessary  to 
pass  the  following  resolves,  viz  : — 

I.  That  all  commissions,  civil  and  military,  heretofore  granted  by  the 
crown  to  be  exercised  in  these  colonies,  are  null  and  void,  and  the  constitu- 
tion of  each  particular  colony  wholly  suspended. 

II.  That  the  Provincial  Congress  of  each  Province,  under  the  direction  of 
the  Great  Continental  Congress,  is  invested  with  all  legislative  and  executive 
powers  within  their  respective  provinces,  and  that  no  other  legislative  or 
executive  power  does  or  can  exist  at  this  time  in  any  of  these  colonies. 

III.  As  all  former  laws  are  now  suspended  in  this  Province,  and  the  Con- 
gress has  not  yet  provided  others,  we  judge  it  necessary  for  the  better  preser- 
vation of  good  order,  to  form  certain  rules  and  regulations  for  the  Internal 
Government  of  this  county,  until  laws  shall  be  provided  for  us  by  the  Con- 
gress. 

IV.  That  the  inhabitants  of  this  county  do  meet  on  a  certain  day  ap- 
pointed by  the  Committee,  and  having  formed  themselves  into  nine  com- 
panies (to  wit:  eight  for  the  county  and  one  for  the  town),  do  choose  a 
colonel  and  other  military  officers,  who  shall  hold  and  exercise  their  several 
powers  by  virtue  of  the  choice,  and  independent  of  the  crown  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, and  former  constitution  of  this  province. 

V.  That  for  the  better  preservation  of  the  peace  and  administration  of 
justice,  each  of  those  companies  do  choose  from  their  own  body  two  discreet 
freeholders,  who  shall  be  empowered  each  by  himself,  and  singly,  to  decide 
and  determine  all  matters  of  controversy  arising  within  said  company,  under 
the  sum  of  twenty  shillings,  and  jointly  and  together  all  controversies  under 
the  sum  of  forty  shillings,  yet  so  as  their  decisions  may  admit  of  appeal  to 
the  Convention  of  the  Select  Men  of  the  County,  and  also  that  any  one  of 
these  men  shall  have  power  to  examine  and  commit  to  confinement  persons 
accused  of  petit  larceny. 

VI.  That  those  two  select  men  thus  chosen  do  jointly  and  together  choose 
from  the  body  of  their  particular  company  two  persons  to  act  as  constables, 
who  may  assist  them  in  the  execution  of  their  office. 

VII.  That  upon  the  complaint  of  any  persons  to  either  of  these  select 
men,  he  do  issue  his  warrant  directed  to  the  constable,  commanding  him  to 
bring  the  aggressor  before  him  to  answer  said  complaint. 

VIII.  That  these  select  eighteen  select  men  thus  appointed  do  meet  every 
third  Thursday  in  January,  April,  July  and  October  at  the  Court  House  in 
Charlotte,  to  hear  and  determine  all  matters  of  controversy  for  sums  exceed- 
ing 40s.,  also  appeals  ;  and  in  case  of  felony  to  commit  the  persons  convicted 
thereof  to  close  confinement  until  the  Provincial  Congress  shall  provide  and 
establish  laws  and  modes  of  pi'oceeding  in  all  such  cases. 

IX.  That  these  eighteen  select  men  thus  convened  do  choose  a  clerk,  to 
record  the  transactions  of  said  convention,  and  that  said  clerk,  upon  the 
application  of  any  person  or  jiersons  aggrieved,  do  issue  his  warrant  to  any 
of  the  constables  of  the  company  to  which  the  ofleuder  belongs,  directing 
said  constable  to  summon  and  warn  said  offender  to  appear  before  said  con- 
vention at  their  next  sitting,  to  answer  the  aforesaid  complaint. 

X.  That  any  person  making  complaint,  upon  oath,  to  the  clerk,  or  any 


256  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

member  of  the  convention,  that  he  has  reason  to  suspect  that  any  person  or 
persons  indebted  to  him  in  a  sum  above  40  shillings  intend  clandestinely  to 
withdraw  from  the  county  without  paying  the  debt,  the  clerk  or  such  mem- 
ber shall  issue  his  warrant  to  the  constable,  commanding  him  to  take  said 
person  or  persons  into  safe  custody  until  the  next  sitting  of  the  convention. 

XI.  That  when  a  debtor  for  a  sum  above  forty  shillings  shall  abscond  and 
leave  the  county,  the  warrant  granted  as  aforesaid  shall  extend  to  any  goods  or 
chattels  of  said  debtor  as  maybe  found,  and  such  goods  or  chattels  be  seized 
and  held  in  custody  by  the  constable  for  the  space  of  thirty  days,  in  which 
time,  if  the  debtor  fail  to  return  and  discharge  the  debt,  the  constable 
shall  return  the  warrant  to  one  of  the  select  men  of  the  company,  where  the 
goods  are  found,  who  shall  issue  orders  to  the  constable  to  sell  such  a  part 
of  said  goods  as  shall  amount  to  the  sum  due. 

That  when  the  debt  exceeds  forty  shillings,  the  return  shall  be  made  to 
the  convention,  who  shall  issue  orders  for  sale. 

XII.  That  all  receivers  and  collectors  of  quit  rents,  public  and  county 
taxes,  do  pay  the  same  into  the  hands  of  the  chairman  of  this  committee,  to 
be  by  them  "disbursed  as  the  public  exigencies  may  require,  and  that  such 
receivers  and  collectors  proceed  no  further  in  their  office  until  they  be  ap- 
proved of  by,  and  have  given  to  this  committee  good  and  sufficient  security 
for  a  faithful  retui-n  of  such  moneys  when  collected. 

XIII.  That  the  committee  be  accountable  to  the  county  for  the  application 
of  all  moneys  received  fi'om  such  public  officers. 

XIV.  That  all  these  officers  hold  their  commissions  during  the  pleasure  of 
their  several  constituents. 

XV.  That  this  committee  will  sustain  all  damages  to  all  or  any  of  their 
officers  thus  appointed,  and  thus  acting,  on  account  of  their  obedience  and 
conformity  to  these  rules. 

XVI.  That  tcJiatever  person  shall  hereafter  receive  a  commission  from  the 
crown,  or  attempt  to  exercise  any  such  commission  heretofore  received,  shall 
be  deemed  an  enemy  to  his  country ;  and  upon  confirmation  being  made  to 
the  captain  of  the  company  in  which  he  resides,  the  said  company  shall 
cause  him  to  be  apprehended  and  conveyed  before  two  select  men,  who,  upon 
proof  of  the  fact,  shall  commit  said  oifender  to  safe  custody,  until  the  next 
sitting  of  the  committee,  who  shall  deal  with  him  as  prudence  may  direct. 

XVII.  That  any  person  refusing  to  yield  obedience  to  the  above  rules 
shall  be  considered  equally  criminal,  and  liable  to  the  same  punishment  as 
the  offenders  above  last  mentioned. 

XVIII.  That  these  resolves  be  in  full  force  and  virtue  until  instructions 
from  the  Provincial  Congress  regulating  the  jurisprudence  of  the  province 
shall  provide  otherwise,  or  the  legislative  body  of  Great  Britain  resign  its 
unjust  and  arbitrary  pretensions  with  respect  to  America. 

XIX.  That  the  eight  militia  companies  in  this  county  provide  themselves 
with  proper  arms  and  accoutrements,  and  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to 
execute  the  commands  and  directions  of  the  General  Congress  of  this  pro- 
vince and  this  Committee. 

XX.  That  the  Committee  appoint  Col.  Thomas  Polk  and  Dr.  Joseph  Ken- 
nedy to  purchase  300  pounds  of  powder,  600  pounds  of  lead,  1000  flints  for 
the  use  of  the  militia  of  this  county  and  deposit  the  same  in  such  place  as 
the  Committee  may  hereafter  direct. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee, 

EPH.  BREVARD, 

Clerk  of  the  Committee. 

Governor  Martin  to  the  Secretary  of  State. 

State  Paper  Office,  London.]  ^y  ^^,    ^  „     ^.       ,„»r    ,.o 

America  &  West  I.  vol.  204.    }  I^'^ncroft  s  Collection,  In  5,  loo. 

Fort  Johnston,  North  Carolina, 

'SOth  Jane,  1775. 
"  The  minutes  of  a  council  held  at  this  place,  the  other  day,  will  make  the 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  25T 

impotence  of  Government  here  as  apparent  to  your  Lordship  as  anything  I 
can  set  before  you.  The  Board  have  been  afraid  to  take  a  becoming  part,  I 
firmly  believe,  from  apprehensions  of  personal  injury  and  insult.      *      *      * 

"  the  situation  in  which  I  find  myself  at  present  is  indeed,  my  Lord,  most 
despicable  and  mortifying.  *  *  *  *  1  live,  alas  !  ingloriously,  only  to 
deplore  it.  *  *  The  resolves  of  the  Committee  of  Mecklenburg,  lohich 
your  Lcrdship  will  find  in  the  enclosed  newspaper,  surpass  all  the  horrid 
and  treasonable  publications  that  the  inflammatory  spirits  of  the  continent 
have  yet  produced ;  and  your  Lordship  may  depend,  its  authors  and  abettors 
vrill  not  escape,  when  my  hands  are  sufficiently  strengthened,  to  attempt  the 
recovery  of  the  lost  authority  of  the  Government.  A  copy  of  these  Resolves  ivas 
sent  off,  I  am  informed,  by  express  to  the  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  as  soon  as 
they  were  j)assed  in  the  Cornmittee.     *     *     * 

"  A  Mr.  John  Ashe,  heretofore  a  Colonel  of  the  Militia  in  the  County  of 
New  Hanover,  but  who  had  lately  formally  declined  the  appointment  by 
letter  to  me  on  pretence  of  age  and  business,  and  requested  me  to  appoint 
another  person,  appeared  at  Wilmington,  a  fortnight  after  such  resignation, 
at  the  head  of  a  body  of  four  and  five  hundred  men.  *  *  * 

"  On  being  interrogated  for  his  authority  for  such  arbitrary  proceedings, 
he  pointed  to  the  men  he  had  assembled. 

"  I  am  bound  to  return  your  Lordship  my  best  acknowledgments,  for  tlie 
attention  you  have  been  pleased  to  give  to  my  representations  of  the  mis- 
conduct of  the  members  of  the  council,  here  ;  at  the  same  time,  I  must  freely 
own  to  your  Lordship,  that  I  fea^that  it  will  be  difficult  to  reform  that  body 
effectually,  at  this  time.     *      *      * 

"  Mr.  Dry,  Collector  of  the  Customs  at  this  port,  whose  imprudences  and 
absurdity  are  such,  as  I  fear  will  compel  me,  in  spite  of  all  the  allowance  that 
I  can  make  for  his  simplicity  and  weakness,  to  disgrace  him." 

These  records  have  never  before  been  all  published,  and  place 
this  matter  beyond  all  cavil  or  doubt.  They  were  procured  from 
the  State  Paper  Office  in  London,  by  the  Hon.  George  Bancroft, 
late  our  Envoy  at  that  Court,  and  by  his  kindness  furnished  for 
the  use  of  this  work. 

The  citizens  of  the  State  have  not  been  unmindful  of  their  duty  in  re- 
spect to  this  glorious  transaction. 

A  meeting  was  held  in  1842,  and  a  Memorial  prepared  to  the  General 
Assembly  on  the  subject,  a  copy  of  which  has  been  procured,  and  here 
inserted. 

MEMORIAL  OF  THE  MECKLENBURG  MONUMENTAL  ASSOCIATION. 

To  the  Honorable,  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  now  in 

session : — 

At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  the  County  of  Mecklenburg  and  the  adjoin- 
ing counties,  held  on  the  24th  of  August,  1842,  at  the  Court  house  in  the 
town  of  Charlotte,  the  undersigned  were  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare 
and  forward  a  Memorial  to  your  Honorable  body,  on  the  subject  of  incorpo- 
rating the  "Mecklenburg  Monumental  Association,"  whose  duty  and  objects 
will  be  the  erection  of  a  suitable  Monument  in  the  town  of  Charlotte,  com- 
memorative of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence,  on  the  20th  of 
May,  1775. 

There  is  no  State  in  our  Union  whose  early  history  is  marked  with  greater 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  Liberty  than  the  State  of  North  Carolina.  The  re- 
mark will  not  be  misconstrued,  when  it  is  stated,  that  neither  at  home  or 
abroad,  is  the  real  character  of  the  State,  and  the  unsullied  patriotism  of  her 
citizens,  known  and  appreciated.  The  historian  is  compelled,  by  examina- 
tion, to   say  that  "so  carelessly  has   the  history  of  North  Carolina   been 


258  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

written,  that  the  name,  the  merits,  and  the  end  of  the  first  Governor  are  not 

known."*  ,     .     •       •     i       j       -• 

Pure  and  unpretending  in  character,  firm  and  undeviating  in  her  devotion 
to  principles,  her  sons  seem  rather  satisfied  with  a  consciousness  of  the  rec- 
titude of  their  own  intentions,  than  to  court  the  praise  which  belongs  to  merit, 
or  to  demand  for  their  ancestry  that  meed  of  renown  which  is  due  to  exalted 
patriotism  or  chivalric  daring.  i     .   j 

But  we  trust  a  more  auspicious  moment  has  arrived,  when  the  industry 
and  research  of  her  sons  will  preserve  those  memorials  of  her  patriotism,  to 
be  handed  down  as  "  a  rich  legacy"  to  future  generations. 

So  far  as  the  early  history  of  the  Colony  of  North  Carolina  has  been  ex- 
hibited to  the  curious  eye  of  the  historian,  it  is  full  of  incident,  elevating  to 
the  character  of  the  State,  and  worthy  to  be  cherished  by  her  sons.  ^  It  was 
on  her  shores  that  the  adventurous  anchor  of  the  first  Anglo-Saxonf  to  this 
western  hemisphere  rested.  A  fleet,  sustained  by  the  gallant  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh,  and  led  by  Amidas  and  Barlow,  here  found,  in  the  language  of 
the  hfstorian  of  the  day,  "  a  people  most  gentle,  loving,  and  faithful,  void  of 
all  guile  and  treason,  and  such  as  lived  after  the  manner  of  the  golden  age." 
Among  such  a  people,  fleeing  from  the  oppressions  and  persecutions  of  the 
Old  World,  our  ancestors  founded  the  Colony  of  North  Carolina.  Her  whole 
history,  from  the  earliest  periods  of  its  existence,  to  the  final  overthrow  of 
the  royal  power  of  England,  shows  an  indomitable  spirit  of  Liberty ;  and, 
although  obedient  to  wholesome  laws,  that  the  least  oppression  or  tyranny 
was  promptly  met,  and  manfully  opposed.   • 

"Are  there  any  who  doubt  man's  capacity  for  self-government?"  asks  an 
eloquent  writer  on  her  history,  "  let  them  study  the  history  of  North  Carolina. 
Its  inhabitants  were  restless  and  turbulent  in  their  imperfect  submission  from 
abroad ;  the  administration  of  the  Colony  was  firm,  humane,  and  tranquil, 
when  left  to  themselves."  The  first  American  manifesto  against  the  encroach- 
ments of  power,  the  elective  franchise,  and  the  unwise  interference  of  trade, 
was  made  in  North  Carolina  as  early  as  1678,  J  and  nearly  two  hundred  years 
before  our  Independence  was  declared.  Thus  were  sown,  deep  and  broad, 
the  seeds  of  Liberty  among  her  people  with  a  liberal  hand.  Sometimes  these 
seeds  produced  the  fruits  of  anarchy  and  confusion  ;  for,  at  an  early  period, 
the  Colony  was  under  the  control  of  rulers  in  open  rebellion  against  the 
English  Crown.  At  another  period,  the  imbecile  hand  that  then  swayed  the 
English  sceptre  (Charles  II.),  tired  of  the  contest,  left  her  to  her  own  course, 
undisturbed  either  by  the  tyranny  of  rulers,  or  the  rapacity  of  avarice. 

Pursuing  "the  noiseless  tenor  of  their  way,"  the  Colonists  of  North  Caro- 
lina peacefully  followed  the  avocations  of  labor  and  industry,  acknowledging 
no  superior,  and  bending  their  knee  to  no  power  but  to  the  God  Almighty. 
Towards  many  of  her  Colonies,  that  eloquent  defender  of  American  rights. 
Lord  Chatham,  on  the  floor  of  Parliament,  denounced  the  course  of  the 
mother  country  as  that  of  "a  cruel  and  unjust  stepmother."  But  towards 
the  Colony  of  North  Carolina,  her  course  was  often  like  that  of  the  mother 
of  the  faithful,  driving  her,  Hagar-like,  into  the  wilderness,  there  to  perish, 
neglected  and  alone.  But  the  God  of  Abraham  comforted  her  in  her  exile 
with  the  refreshing  shade  and  the  gushing  fountain ;  and  declared  unto  her, 
that  she  should  greatly  increase,  so  that  "her  seed  should  not  be  numbered 
for  multitude."  It  is  not  wonderful,  that  a  people  thus  nurtured,  should  be 
ready,  Ishmael-like,  to  raise  their  hands  against  tyranny  and  oppression. 

That  the  people  of  North  Carolina  should  always  have  been 

"  Men  who  knew  their  rights,  and  knowing  dared  maintain," 

18  evident  from  every  page  of  their  history.  But,  that  her  sons  should,  on 
the  20th  day  of  May,  1775,  assemble  at  Charlotte,  at  a  period  of  doubt,  of 
darkness,  and  of  danger,  without  concert  with  other  States,  without  assur- 

*  Bancroft's  History  of  the  United  States,  vol.  ii.  p.  135. 

t  July,  1581.     Hakluyt,  vol.  ii.  p.  297. 

I  Wiliiamsoa's  History  of  North  Carolina,  vol.  i.  p.  263. 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  259 

ances  of  support  from  any  quarter,  and  there  "dissolve  the  political  bands 
■which  connected  them  with  the  mother  Country,"  and  there  "declare  them- 
selves a  free  and  independent  people,  and  of  right,  ought  to  be  sovereign  and 
self-governing,"  is  a  subject  full  of  moral  sublimity,  and  a  source  of  elevating 
State  pride. 

That  this  event  should  be  deemed  by  some  (who,  ignorant  of  our  history, 
are  jealous  of  the  fair  name  of  our  State,)  as  a  legend  of  a  doubtful  authen- 
ticity, or  of  modern  origin,  is  not  to  be  wondered.  But  time,  that  steady  but 
unerring  guide  of  truth,  has  settled  this  matter  beyond  the  reach  of  doubt,  or 
the  cavilings  of  envy. 

The  cotemporaneous  evidence  of  General  Graham ;  of  Captain  Jack,  who 
bore  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting  to  Caswell,  Hooper,  and  Hewes,  then 
members  of  the  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  and  the  testimony  of 
others,  now  preserved  in  the  archives  of  American  History,  are  sufBcient  to 
satisfy  incredulity  itself.  But  should  any  still  doubt,  considering  these  as 
the  traditions  of  an  obscure  event,  preserved  by  the  filial  fondness  of  North 
Carolinians,  we  would  produce  the  proclamation  of  Governor  Martin,  on 
board  of  his  Majesty's  Ship  Cruiser,  on  the  Cape  Fear  River,  dated  the  8th 
of  August,  1775,  denouncing*  "as  most  infamous,  a  publication  in  the  Cape 
Fear  Mercury,  importing  to  be  resolves,  by  a  set  of  people  styling  themselves 
a  committee  for  the  County  of  Mecklenburg,  most  traitorously  declaring  the 
entire  dissolution  of  the  Laws,  Government,  and  Constitution  of  the  Country, 
and  setting  up  a  system  of  rule  and  regulation,  subversive  of  his  Majesty's 
Government." 

Here  is  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  fully  sot  forth,  and  vindicated  from 
cavil  or  doubt.  But  the  very  fact  of  its  being  doubtedj  first  by  an  oracle, 
whose  responses  however  prophetic  in  politics,  cannot  be  regarded  as  infal- 
lible ;  and  subsequently,  by  others  abroad,  should  convince  most  earnestly 
and  conclusively,  your  Honorable  Body,  the  importance  of  securing  to  North 
Carolina  a  more  enduring  monument  than  legislative  reports  or  paper  reso- 
lutions. Nearly  all  who  were  actors  in  these  scenes  and  perils,  have  now 
passed  away.  It  often  occurs  in  the  history  of  man,  that  facts  well  known 
by  one  generation,  are  controverted  by  the  next;  and  at  a  succeeding  period 
are  considered  as  doubtful  legends,  not  worthy  of  historical  faith.  Let  us 
then  preserve  these  memorials  of  an  event  so  soul  cheering  to  the  patriot,  so 
elevating  to  our  character  as  a  State. 

There  are  some  events  which  are  engraved  on  the  hearts  of  the  Nation, 
"and  no  inscriptions  or  tablatures  less  broad  than  the  earth  itself,  can  carry 
the  information  where  it  has  not  gone."  Of  these  is  our  National  Birthday, 
the  4th  July,  1776.  It  is  inscribed  in  living  letters  of  joy,  in  the  hearts  of 
millions  of  Freemen,  and  annually  we  rejoice  and  read 

"  Its  history  in  a  Nation's  eyes." 

But  the  20th  of  May,  1775,  more  than  a  year  in  advance  of  this  glorious 
period,  belongs  to  the  Old  North  State.  It  is  one  of  her  reserved  rights,  and 
one  she  will  never  cede  to  the  Federal  Government.  Let  then  a  monument 
arise  unto  the  memory  of  the  Signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence, and  by  this  means  show  our  sense  of  this  glorious  achievement, 
preserve  the  same  pui-e  spirit  of  patriotism,  and  keep  alive  a  deep  and  abiding 
regard  for  the  principles  of  our  Revolution. 

"Human  beings,"  said  an  eloquent  orator  at  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone 
of  the  Bunker  Hill  Monument,  "  are  composed  not  of  reason  only,  but  of 
imagination  and  sentiment ;  and  that  is  neither  wasted  or  misapplied,  which  is 
appropriated  to  giving  right  direction  to  sentiments,  and  opening  the  proper 
springs  of  feeling  in  the  human  heart."  In  rearing  this  monument  at  the 
very  spot  where  the  first  Declaration  of  Independence  was  made,  we  direct 
the  mind  by  an  elevated  object,  to  the  great  moral  causes  that  produced  our 
Revolution,  to  the  noble  daring  and  chivalric  patriotism  by  which  it  was 

*  See  "  American  Archives"  of  Peter  Force,  Fourth  Series,  vol.  ii.  p.  S55.  The  same 
vol.  lii.  p.  62. 


260  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

achieved,  and  to  the  numberless  blessings  that  have  flown  dovpn  unto  us  by 

its  happy  consummation.  .  .      •     xv.    ^    -^    /•  v 

Before  this  monument  hoary  age  may  pause  and  rejoice  m  the  truit  ot  his 
labors,  and  from  it  youth  receive  the  inspirations  of  patriotism,  as  shown 
forth  i'n  their  gUirious  examples,  and  thus  vow  to  emulate  their  career.  In 
the  language  of  the  orator  above  alluded  to,  "we  wish  that  this  column, 
rising  towards  Heaven,  amid  temples  dedicated  to  God,  may  produce  in  all 
mindl  a  pious  feeling  of  dependence  and  gratitude.  Let  it  arise  until  it  meet 
the  Sun  in  his  coming,  let  the  earliest  light  of  the  morning  gild  it,  and  parting 
day  linger  and  play  on  its  summit." 

The  undersigned,  in  conclusion,  beg  leave  to  submit  a  copy  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  meeting  above  alluded  to,  and  hope  that  your  Honorable  Body 
■will,  as  requested,  grant  an  Act  of  Incorporation  to  this  Association,  and 
also  an  appropriation  for  funds  to  assist  in  accomplishing  its  objects. 
And,  as  in  duty  bound,  &c. 

Fred.  Nash,  M.  Hoke, 

Wm.  J.  Alexander,  Charles  Fisher, 

David  F.  Caldwell,  Jos.  McD.  Carson, 

James  W.  Osborne,  Robert  Strange, 

H.  C.  Jones,  James  Iredell, 

Paul  Barringer,  D.  L.  Swain, 

John  Phifer,  Wm.  H.  Haywood,  Jr. 

John  H.  Wheeler,*  Burton  Craige, 

Isaac  T.  Avery, 
Committee  to  Memoralize  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina. 

Mecklenburg  sent  as  delegate  to  the  meeting  at  Newbern,  25th  August, 
1774,  Benjamin  Patton  ;  and  to  the  meeting  at  Hillsboro',  21st  August  1775, 
Thomas  Polk,  John  Phifer,  Waightstill  Avery,  Samuel  Martin,  James 
Houston,  and  John  McKnitt  Alexander. 

To  the  meeting  at  Halifax,  4th  April,  1776,  she  sent  John  Phifer,  Robt. 
Irwin,  and  John  McKnitt  Alexander. 

The  following  instructions  were  given  to  the  delegates  from  the  people, 
extracted  from  a  Charlotte  newspaper  in  1837.  It  was  found  among  the  old 
surviving  papers  of  John  McKnitt  Alexander,  and  he  is  the  author  of  them. 
They  are  dated  1st  September,  1775  : — 

Instructions  for  the  Delegates  of  Mecklenburg  County,  proposed  to  the  considera- 
tion of  the  County,  viz : — 

1.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  the  late  province  of  North  Carolina  is 
and  of  right  ought  to  be,  a  free  and  independent  State,  invested  with  all  the 
power  of  Legislation,  capable  of  making  Laws  to  regulute  all  its  internal 
policy,  subject  only  in  its  external  connections  and  foreign  commerce,  to  a 
negative  of  a  continental  Senate. 

2.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  for  the  Execution  of  a  civil  Government 
under  the  authority  of  the  People  for  the  future  security  of  all  the  Rights, 
Privileges  and  Prerogatives  of  the  State,  and  the  private,  natural  and  unalien- 
able Rights  of  the  constituting  members  thereof,  either  as  Men  or  Christians. 
If  this  should  not  be  confirmed  in  Congress  or  Convention — protest. 

3.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  an  equal  Representation  be  established, 
and  that  the  qualifications  required  to  enable  any  person  or  persons  to  have 
a  voice  in  Legislation,  may  not  be  secured  too  high,  but  that  every  Freeman 
who  shall  be  called  upon  to  support  Government  either  in  person  or  property, 
may  be  admitted  thereto.  If  this  should  not  be  confirmed,  protest  and  re- 
monstrate. 

4.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  Legislation  be  not  a  divided  right,  and 
that  no  man,  or  body  of  men  be  invested  with  a  negative  on  the  voice  of  the 
People  duly  collected,  and  that  no  honors  or  dignities  be  conferred,  for  life, 

*  Author  of"  this  Report. 


i^ 


^F' 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  261 


or  made  hereditary,  on  any  person  or  persons,  either  legislative  or  execu- 
tive.    If  this  should  not  be  confirmed — protest  and  remonstrate. 

5.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  all  and  every  person  or  persons,  seized 
or  possessed  of  any  estate,  real  or  personal,  agreeable  to  the  last  establish- 
ment, be  confirmed  in  their  seizure  and  possession,  to  all  intents  and  purposes 
in  law,  who  have  not  forfeited  their  right  to  the  protection  of  the  State  by 
their  criminal  practices  towards  the  same.  If  this  should  not  be  confirmed — 
protest. 

6.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  Deputies  to  represent  this  State  in  a 
Continental  Congress  be  appointed  in  and  by  the  supreme  Legislative  body 
of  the  State,  the  form  of  nomination  to  be  submitted  to,  if  free,  and  also  that 
all  officers  the  influence  of  whose  office  is  equally  to  extend  to  every  part  of 
the  State,  be  appointed  in  the  same  manner  and  form — likewise  give  your 
consent  to  the  establishing  the  old  political  divisions,  if  it  should  be  voted  in 
convention,  or  to  new  ones  if  similar.  On  such  establishments  taking  place 
you  are  instructed  to  vote,  in  the  general,  that  all  officers,  who  are  to  exercise 
their  authority  in  any  of  the  said  districts,  be  recommended  to  the  trust  only 
by  the  freemen  of  said  division — to  be  subject,  however,  to  the  general  laws 
and  regulations  of  the  State.  If  this  should  not  be  substantially  confirmed — 
protest. 

7.  You  are  instructed  to  move  and  insist  that  the  people  you  immediately 
represent  be  acknowledged  to  be  a  distinct  county  of  this  State  as  formerly 
of  the  late  province,  with  the  additional  privilege  of  annually  electing  in  their 
own  officers  both  civil  and  military,  together  with  the  election  of  Clerks  and 
Sheriffs,  by  the  freemen  of  the  same.  The  choice  to  be  confii-med  by  the 
sovereign  authority  of  the  State,  and  the  officers  so  invested  to  be  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  State  and  liable  to  its  cognizance  and  inflictions,  in  case  of 
malpractice.     If  this  should  not  be  confirmed,  protest  and  remonstrate. 

8;  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  no  chief  justice,  no  secretary  of  State, 
no  auditor-general,  no  surveyor-general,  no  practicing  lawyer,  no  clerk  of 
any  court  of  record,  no  sheriff,  and  no  person  holding  a  military  office  in  this 
State,  shall  be  a  representative  of  the  people  in  Congress  or  Convention.  If 
this  should  not  be  confirmed — contend  for  it. 

9.  You  are  instructed  to  vote  that  all  claims  against  the  public,  except 
such  as  accrue  upon  attendance  of  Congress  or  Convention,  be  first  submitted 
to  the  inspection  of  a  committee  of  nine  or  more  men,  inhabitants  of  the 
county  where  said  claimant  is  a  resident,  and  without  the  approbation  of 
said  committee,  it  shall  not  be  accepted  by  the  public,  for  which  purpose  you 
are  to  move  and  insist  that  a  law  be  enacted  to  impower  the  freemen  of  each 
county  to  choose  a  committee  of  not  less  than  nine  men,  of  whom  none  are 
to  be  military  officers.  If  this  should  not  be  confirmed — protest  and  remon- 
strate. 

10.  You  are  instructed  to  refuse  to  enter  into  any  combinations  of  secrecy 
as  members  of  Congress  or  Convention,  and  also  to  refuse  to  subscribe  any 
ensnaring  jests  binding  you  to  an  unlimited  subjection  to  the  determination 
of  Congress  or  Convention. 

11.  You  are  instructed  to  move  and  insist  that  the  public  accounts  fairly 
stated  shall  be  regularly  kept  in  proper  books,  open  to  the  inspection  of  all 
persons  whom  it  may  concern.   If  this  should  not  be  confirmed — contend  for  it. 

12.  You  are  instructed  to  move  and  insist  that  the  power  of  County  Courts 
be  much  more  extensive  than  under  the  former  constitution,  both  with  respect 
to  matters  of  property  and  breaches  of  the  peace.  If  not  confirmed — contend 
for  it. 

13.  You  are  instructed  to  assent  and  consent  to  the  establishment  of  the 
Christian  Religion  as  contained  in  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, and  more  briefly  comprised  in  the  39  Articles  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, excluding  the  37th  Article,  together  with  all  the  Articles  excepted  and 
not  to  be  imposed  on  dissenters  by  the  act  of  toleration  ;  and  clearly  held 
forth  in  the  confession  of  faith  compiled  by  the  assembly  of  divines  at  West- 
minster, to  be  the  Religion  of  the  State,  to  the  utter  exclusion  forever  of  all 
and  every  other  (falsely  so  called)  Religion,  whether  Pagan  or  Papal,  and 


262  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

that  the  full,  free  and  poacealjle  enjoyment  thereof  he  secured  to  all  and 
every  constituent  member  of  the  State  as  their  unalienable  right  as  Freemen, 
without  the  imposition  of  rites  and  ceremonies,  whether  claiming  civil  or 
ecclesiastic  power  for  their  source,  and  that  a  confession  and  profession  of 
the  Reli<^ion  so  established  shall  be  necessary  in  qualifying  any  person  for 
public  trust  in  the  State.  If  this  should  not  be  confirmed— protest  and  re- 
monstrate. ,  x-      1         1-        u 

14.  You  are  instructed  to  oppose  to  the  utmost  any  particular  church  or 
get  of  clergymen  being  invested  with  power  to  decree  rites  and  ceremonies 
and  to  decide  in  controversies  of  faith  to  be  submitted  to  under  the  influence 
of  penal  laws— you  are  also  to  oppose  the  establishment  of  any  mode  of 
worship  to  be  supported  to  the  opposition  of  the  rights  of  conscience,  together 
with  the  destruction  of  private  property.  You  are  to  understand  that  under 
modes  of  worship  are  comprehended  the  different  forms  of  swearing  by  law 
required.  You  are  moreover  to  oppose  the  establishing  an  ecclesiastic  supre- 
macy in  the  sovereign  authority  of  the  State.  You  are  to  oppose  the  toleration 
of  the  popish  idokxtrous  worship.  If  this  should  not  be  confirmed — protest 
and  remonstrate. 

15.  You  are  instructed  to  move  and  insist  that  not  less  than  four-fifths  of 
the  body  of  which  you  are  members,  shall,  in  voting,  be  deemed  a  majority. 
If  this  should  not  be  confirmed— contend  for  it. 

16.  You  are  instructed  to  give  your  voices  to  and  for  every  motion  and  bill 
made  or  brought  into  the  Congress  or  Convention,  where  they  appear  to  be 
for  public  utility  and  in  no  ways  repugnant  to  the  above  instructions. 

17.  Gentlemen,  the  foregoing  instructions,  you  are  not  only  to  look  on  as 
instructions,  but  as  charges,  to  which  you  are  desired  to  take  special  heed  as 
the  general  rule  of  your  conduct  as  our  Representatives,  and  we  expect  you 
will  exert  yourselves  to  the  utmost  of  your  ability  to  obtain  the  purposes 
given  you  in  charge,  and  wherein  you  fail  either  in  obtaining  or  opposing, 
you  are  hereby  ordered  to  enter  your  protest  against  the  vote  of  the  Congress 
or  Convention  as  is  pointed  out  to  you  in  the  above  instructions. 

To  the  meeting  at  Halifax,  Nov.  12th,  1776  (which  formed  the  Constitution), 
she  sent  John  Phifer,  Robert  Irwin,  Zaccheus  Wilson,  Hezekiah  Alex- 
ander, and  Waightstill  Avery. 

The  officers  appointed  in  1775  for  Mecklenburg,  were  Adam  AlexaiJder, 
Colonel;  John  Phifer,  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  John  Davidson,  Major;  George 
II.  Alexander,  2d  Major. 

Not  only  were  her  sons  active  in  tliese  trying  times,  but  no  por- 
tion of  our  State  was  more  constantly  the  theatre  of  stirring  events. 

It  was  in  the  streets  of  Charlotte  that,  on  Sept.  26th,  1780, 
Colonel  Davie,  with  a  mere  handful  of  troops,  held  the  whole  British 
Army  in  check.* 

The  British  approached  Charlotte  on  the  street  leading  towards 
Major  Benjamin  Morrow's  and  Dr.  Fox's,  and  lay  for  several 
weeks  in  camp  on  the  old  field,  nearly  opposite  Dr.  Dunlap's. 

Lord  Cornwallis's  Head-Quarters  were  in  the  house,  on  the  south- 
east corner,  second  house  from  the  corner. 

And  when  Lord  Cornwallis  was  quartered  in  this  village,  he  was 
held  in  continual  apprehension  by  the  daring  spirit  of  the  people. 

In  a  letter  to  Colonel  Balfour,  of  the  British  Army,  his  Lordship  says, 
"  Charlotte  is  an  agreeable  village,  but  in  a  d d  rebellious  county." 

The  testimony  of  Colonel  Tarleton  is  left  that  the  spirit  of  the 
*  See  Halifax  (Life  of  Davie),  p.  195. 


A,  MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  263 

people  was  such  that  no  force  could  overawe  and  subdue  their  rebel 
temper.* 

T\ie  works  of  Stedman,  Tarleton,  and  others,  as  well  as  the  records  of  the 
day,  afford  ample  evidence  of  the  daring  spirit  of  Mecklenburg.  "  Its  inhabit- 
ants were  more  hostile,"  says  Tarleton,  "  to  England  than  any  others  in 
America."  This  animosity  of  the  people,  while  it  checked  the  Tory  influence, 
cut  off  all  supplies  from  the  country.  Constant  attacks  were  made  on  the 
convoys  from  Camden  and  Blair's  Mill.  The  picquet  at  Polk's  Mill,  late  Bissel's, 
near  Charlotte  was  attacked  by  the  people. 

A  foraging  party  in  large  force  at  Mcln tire's  (now  Hipp's  Mine),  seven 
miles  from  Charlotte,  on  the  road  to  Seattle's  Ford,  was  attacked  by  the  resolute 
sons  of  Mecklenburg,  under  George  Graham ;  a  British  Captain  was  killed 
with  others,  and  several  wounded.  The  Americans  made  good  their  retreat 
without  loss.  The  detachment  returned  to  town,  disappointed  of  their  forage, 
and  reported  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  "  that  every  bush  on  the  road  concealed  a 
rebel." 

The  British  Army  demanded  heavy  supplies.  Stedman,  the  Commissary- 
General,  states  that  they  used  one  hundred  cattle  per  day.  The  English  had 
at  that  day  the  reputation  they  still  enjoy,  of  being  great  beef  eaters. 

After  the  fall  of  Ferguson,  on  King's  Mountain,  Cornwallis  fell  back  in 
great  precipitation  to  Winnsboro',  a  less  dangerous  and  rebellious  neighbor- 
hood. 

It  was  in  the  town  of  Charlotte,  on  Dec.  3d,  1780,  that  General 
Greene  took  charge  of  the  southern  Army. 

The  last  order  that  General  Gates  ever  issued  is  as  follows : — 

HEAD  QUARTERS. 

Charlotte,  December  3d,  ITSO.f 
"  The  Honorable  Major-General  Greene,  who  arrived  on  Saturday  afternoon 
at  Charlotte,  being  appointed  by  His  Excellency,  General  Washington,  with  the 
approbation  of  the  honorable  Congress,  to  the  command  of  the  Southern  Army  ; 
all  orders  in  future  will  issue  from  him,  and  all  reports  are  to  be  made  to  him . 
"General  Gates  returns  his  sincere  and  grateful  thanks  to  the  Southern 
Army,  for  their  perseverance,  fortitude,  and  patient  endurance  of  all  the  hard- 
ships and  sufferings  while  under  his  command. 

"  He  anxiously  hopes  their  misfortunes  will  cease  therewith,  and  that  vic- 
tory, and  the  glorious  advantages  attending  it,  may  be  the  future  portion  of 
the  Southern  Armv." 


General  Greene  detached,  in  1781,  William  Davidson,  of  this 
county,  who  was  a  Brigadier-General  of  militia  of  the  State, 
and  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  North  Carolina  line,  to  guard  the 
passage  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  with  the  whole  British  Army,  over  the 
Catawba  in  his  pursuit  of  the  American  forces. 

At  Cowan's  Ford,  on  Feb.  1st,  1781,  the  waters  of  the  Catawba 
were  mingled  with  the  lifeblood  of  this  distinguished  and  merito- 
rious officer. 

General  William  Davidson  was  the  youngest  son  of  George  Davidson,  who 
removed  from  Lancaster  County,  in  Pennsylvania,  in  the  year  1750,  to  North 
Carolina.  He  was  born  in  1746.  He  was  educated  at  the  Academy  in  Char- 
lotte. 

When  the  Revolution  broke  out,  on  April  22d,  1776,  the  State  Congress  at 
Halifax,  raised  four  additional  regiments,  to  the  two  already  in  service.     Of 

*  Tarleton's  Campaigns.  t  Force's  American  Archives. 

26 


234  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

the  4th  Regiment,  Thomas  Polk  was  Colonel,  James  Thackstojj-  Lieutenant- 
Colonel,  and  William  Davidson  Major.  _ 

With  this  regiment,  under  General  Francis  Nash,  he  marched  to  join  the 
Army  of  the  North,  under  General  Washington,  where  he  served  until  Nov., 
1779,  when  the  North  Carolina  line  was  ordered  south  to  reinforce  General 
Lincoln,  at  Charleston.  Previous  to  this,  Davidson  was  promoted  to  the  rank 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  line.  As  the  troops  passed  through  North  Caro- 
lina, Colonel  Davidson  obtained  a  furlough  for  a  few  days  to  visit  his  family, 
which  he  had  not  seen  for  three  years.  This  saved  him  from  the  fate  that 
hefell  Lincoln  and  his  Army  at  Charleston  ;  for  when  he  approached  Charles- 
ton, he  found  it  so  closely  beleaguered  by  the  British  Army,  that  he  was  pre- 
vented from  joining  his  regiment.  When  Lincoln  surrendered,  Davidson 
returned  to  Mecklenburg,  and  rendered  important  services  in  subduing  the 
Tories,  who,  encouraged  by  the  success  of  the  British,  became  numerous, 
daring,  and  dangerous.  ^ 

He  raised  a  troop  of  volunteers  and  marched  against  them.  At  Calson  s 
Mill  he  encountered  a  strong  force  of  Tories,  and  a  severe  engagement  took 
place,  in  which  Davidson  was  severely  wounded.  A  ball  entered  the  um- 
bilical region  and  passed  through  his  body  near  the  kidneys.  This  had 
nearly  been  fatal.  He  was  confined  for  two  months  with  this  wound.  On 
his  recovery  he  took  the  field,  having  been  promoted  for  his  bravery  to  a 
brigadier-general,  in  place  of  Gen.  Rutherford,  taken  prisoner  at  Camden. 
Ile^was  active,  with  General  Sumner  and  Colonel  Davie,  in  checking  the 
advance  of  the  British,  and  throughout  this  dark  period  of  our  fortunes  gave 
unceasing  evidence  of  his  untiring  zeal  in  the  cause  of  his  country. 

After  the  brilliant  afi"air  of  the  Cowpens  (17th  Jan.  1781),  in  which  Gen. 
Morgan,  with  an  inferior  force,  chastised  the  temerity  and  insolence  of  Col. 
Tarieton,  Davidson  was  most  active  in  assembling  the  militia  of  hjs_  district 
to  aid  General  Greene  (who  had,  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Catawba,  joined  the 
light  corps  of  Morgan)  in  impeding  the  advance  of  the  enemy ;  and  it  was  his 
fortune  to  guard  the  very  ford  at  which  Cornwallis  attempted  to  pass.  At 
the  head  of  three  hundred  men,  he  took  post  at  Cowan's  Ford. 

At  daybreak  the  British  army  under  Cornwallis,  on  the  1st  February,  1781, 
entered  the  waters  of  Catawba,  then  swollen  by  heavy  rains,  at  Cowan's 
Ford. 

The  morning  was  dark  and  rainy.*  The  light  infantry  under  Col.  Hall 
entered  first,  followed  by  the  grenadiers  and  the  battalions.f  The  picquet  of 
Gen.  Davidson  challenged  the  enemy;  receiving  no  reply,  the  guard  fired. 
This  turned  out  the  whole  force  of  Davidson,  who  kept  up  a  galling  fire  from 
the  bank.  The  guide  of  the  British,  alarmed  at  the  firing,  turned  about  and 
left  them.  This  caused  an  unexpected  diversion  of  the  enemy  from  the  ex- 
pected landing  of  the  ford,  and  Col.  Hall  led  them  directly  across.J  Col. 
Hall  was  killed  as  he  ascended  the  bank ;  Lord  Cornwallis'  horse  was  shot  in 
the  river,  and  fell  as  he  reached  the  bank ;  three  privates  killed,  and  thirty-six 
British  wounded. 

General  Davidson,  in  riding  from  the  point  where  he  expected  the  enemy 
to  the  point  where  they  landed,  was  shot ;  the  ball  passed  through  his  heart, 
and  he  fell  dead  from  his  horse.  As  he  fell  by  a  rifle-ball  (the  British  only 
using  muskets),  it  is  supposed  he  fell  by  the  hand  of  some  Tory.  Withered 
be  the  hand  and  forever  cursed  that  did  this  deed  1 

Thus  fell,  in  the  prime  of  life,  at  a  moment  of  usefulness,  this  noble  and 
patriotic  soldier.  Worthily  is  his  name  bestowed  on  one  of  the  most  fertile 
counties  of  our  State,  and  a  seat  of  learning,  near  the  scene  of  his  death, 
perpetuates  his  fame  to  the 

"  Last  syllable  of  recorded  thne." 

*  See  Dispatch  of  Lord  Cornwallis  to  Lord  George  Germain,  Notes  to  Tarleton's 
Campaign,  259. 
t  ytedman's  History  of  the  American  War,  ii.  239. 
i  Tarleton's  History  of  the  Campai^'-ns  of  1780  and  1781,  p.  23-5. 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  265 


The  Congress  of  the  United  States,  in  1781,  passed  the  following  resolu- 
tion : — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Governor  and  Council  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina 
be  desired  to  erect  a  monument  at  the  expense  of  the  United  States,  not  ex- 
ceeding in  value  of  five  hundred  dollars,  to  the  memory  of  the  late  Brigadier- 
General  Davidson,  who  commanded  the  militia  of  the  District  of  Salisbury, 
in  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  and  was  killed,  on  the  first  of  February  last,, 
fighting  gallantly  for  the  defence  of  the  liberty  and  independence  of  these 
States."* 

The  descendants  of  General  Davidson  still  live  among  us.  The  spirit  of 
patriotism,  the  heroic  example,  illustrious  services,  and  chivalric  death  of 
their  distinguished  ancestor,  are  left  "  as  a  rich  legacy  unto  their  issue." 


General  George  Graham  was  a  resident  of  Mecklenburg. 

He  was  the  brother  of  General  Joseph  Graham,  and  performed  "  a  soldier's 
service"  in  the  Revolution.  There  was  no  duty  too  perilous,  no  service  too 
dangerous,  that  he  was  not  ready  to  undertake  for  his  country. 

He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1758,  and  came,  with  his  widowed  mother 
and  four  others,  to  North  Carolina  when  about  six  years  old. 

He  was  educated  at  Charlotte,  and  was  distinguished  for  his  assiduity  and 
noble  temper. 

He  was  early  devoted  to  the  cause  of  his  country.  In  1775,  he,  with  a 
few  others,  rode  all  night  to  Salisbury,  seized  the  Tory  lawyers,  Dunn  and 
Boothe,  brought  them  to  Mecklenburg,  and  from  thence  they  were  carried 
to  Camden,  and  imprisoned.! 

When  Cornwallis  lay  at  Charlotte  (Oct.  1780),  he  was  active  in  attacking 
his  foraging  parties,  and  annoying  them,  so  as  to  render  their  supplies 
hazardous  and  difficult. 

He  was  the  leader  of  the  attack  at  Mclntire's,  seven  miles  from  Charlotte, 
on  the  Beattie's  Ford  Road,  and  actually,  with  twelve  men,  compelled  the 
foraging  party  of  four  hundred  English  to  retreat ;  they  fearing,  from  the 
fatality  of  the  fire,  that  an  ambuscade  was  prepared  for  them. 

He  was  Major-General  of  militia  of  North  Carolina.  For  a  long  time  Clerk 
of  the  Court  of  Mecklenburg  County,  and  often  a  member  of  the  Legis- 
lature. 

He  died  29th  March,  1826.  The  following  inscription  is  from  the  slab  of 
marble  that  covers  his  grave  at  Charlotte. 

SACRED 

to  the 

Memory  of 

Major-GENERAL,  George  Graham, 

Who  died 

On  the  29th  of  March,  1826, 

in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age. 


He  lived  more  than  half  a  century  in  the  vicinity 

of  this  place,  and  was  a  zealous  and  active  defender  of  his 

Country's  rights, 

in  the 

Revolutionary  war, 

and  one  of  the  gallant  twelve  who  dared  to  attack, 

and  actually  drove  400  British  troops  at  Mclntire's, 

seven  miles  north  of  Charlotte, 

on  the  third  of  October,  1780. 

George  Graham  filled  many  high  and  responsible 


*  This  resolution  has  never  been  execnied. 
See  Narrative  of  Boothe,  chapter  ixvii.  (Rowan. 


266  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

public  trusts, 

the  duties  of  -which  he  discharged  with  fidelity. 

He  was  the  people's  friend,  not  their  flatterer, 

and  uniformly  enjoyed  the 

unlimited  confidence 

and  respect  of  his 

fellow  citizens. 

TTon.  Samuel  Lowrie  resided  and  died  in  this  county. 

He  was  a  native  of  New  Castle  County,  State  of  Delaware,  born  12th  May, 
1756,  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  Lowrie.  When  a  child  his  parents  moved 
to  Rowan  County,  and  he  was  educated  at  Clio  Academy.  Iredell  County,  by 
Rev.  James  Hall.  He  studied  law  in  Camden,  S.  C,  and  was  elected  to  the 
House  of  Commons  from  this  county  in  1804,  '5  and  '6,  when  he  was  elected 
a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  Avhich  he  held  until  his  death,  on  22d  Dec. 

1818 

He  married  in  1788  Margaret,  daughter  of  Robert  Alexander,  who  left 
him  with  several  children ;  and  second  time,  1811,  he  married  Mary,  daughter 
of  Marmaduke  Norfleet,  of  Bertie  County. 

Joseph  "Wilson,  a  distinguished  lawyer  and  statesman,  resided  and  died 
in  Charlotte,  which  for  many  years  was  the  scene  of  his  services  and  honors. 
His  ancestors  on  the  paternal  side  were  from  Scotland,  and  settled  in 
1720  near  Edenton,  and  in  Perquimans,  where  many  of  his  name  still  reside. 
His  ancestors  by  the  maternal  side  were  English,  settled  on  Nantucket 
Island,  removed  first  to  Guilford  and  then  to  Randolph,  where  his  father 
married  Eunice  Worth.     His  parents  were  of  the  society  of  Friends. 

Joseph  Wilson's  early  education  was  as  good  as  the  country  afforded.  He  was 
under  care  of  Rev.  David  Caldwell,  and  under  the  advice  of  Reuben  Wood, 
Esq.,  of  Randolph,  then  a  lawyer  of  some  celebrity,  he  studied  law  ;  whose 
daughter  he  married.  He  was  licensed  in  1804,  and  came  to  the  bar  at  the 
same  time  with  Israel  Pickens,  of  Burke  County,  afterwards  Governor  of 
Alabama. 

By  the  perseverance  of  his  character,  the  force  of  his  intellect,  and  steady 
application  he  arose  to  eminence  in  his  profession.  He  settled  in  Stokes 
County,  and  in  1810  represented  that  county  in  the  House  of  Commons.  He 
was  re-elected  in  1811  and  1812.  At  this  important  and  exciting  period  he 
distinguished  himself  by  his  warm,  devoted,  and  talented  support  of  the  war. 
At  this  session  he  was  elected  Solicitor  of  the  Mountain  Circuit,  then  em- 
bracing nearly  all  the  western  part  of  the  State.  The  unsurpassed  ability, 
the  fearless  zeal  and  indomitable  energy  with  which  he  discharged  the  arduous 
duties  of  this  responsible  station,  are  to  this  day  a  source  of  grateful  recol- 
lection. The  mountains  of  North  Carolina  were  infested  with  many  men, 
whose  lawless  passions  and  nefarious  deeds  defied  the  restraints  of  justice. 
On  several  occasions  Mr.  Wilson's  life  was  placed  in  serious  jeopardy,  by 
his  firm  and  manly  prosecution  of  evil  doers.  But  while  the  wicked  had 
nothing  to  hope,  in  his  generous  temper  the  innocent  found  "  a  friend  in 
every  time  of  need."  He  continued  in  this  office  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  August,  1829,  leaving  an  interesting  family,  and  the  State  of  North 
Carolina  to  lament  his  untimely  end.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  looked 
upon  as  a  suitable  successor  to  Governor  Branch  (as  Senator  in  Congress), 
who  had  been  appointed  Secretary  of  the  Navy  by  Gen.  Jackson. 

James  Kxox  Polk  was  a  native  of  Mecklenburg. 

He  was  born  on  2d  November,  1795,  about  eleven  miles  south  of  Char- 
lotte, on  the  land  now  owned  by  Nathan  Orr,  about  two  hundred  yards  south 
of  Little  Sugar  Creek.  He  was  the  eldest  of  ten  children.  In  1806  his 
father  moved  to  Tennessee.  He  was  educated  in  North  Carolina,  and  was 
graduated  in  1818,  with  the  first  honors  of  the  University.  He  laid  while 
at  college  tlie  foundations  of  his  future  fame.  He  never  missed  a  single  re 
citation  or  dutj/  during  his  whole  collegiate  term.  Let  our  young  gentlemen 
at  Chapel  Hill  imitate  this  illustrious  example. 


MECKLENBURG  COUNTY.  267 

H«  returned  to  Tennessee,  and  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the  office 
of  Felix  Grundy,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1820.  In  1823  he  en- 
tered the  stormy  sea  of  politics,  and  in  which  he  was  destined  to  so  brilliant 
a  career.  In  1825  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  in  1835  was  elected 
Speaker,  which  he  held  for  five  sessions.  After  fourteen  years'  service  he 
declined  a  re-election.  During  this  long  and  laborious  service  he  never  was 
known  to  be  absent  a  single  day  from  the  House.  In  1839  he  was  elected 
Governor  of  Tennessee.  In  May,  1844,  he  was  nominated  as  President  of 
the  United  States.  His  majority  in  the  electoral  college  in  December,  over 
Henry  Clay,  was  sixty-five. 

It  does  not  become  us  at  this  day  or  in  this  place  to  speak  of  the  measures 
or  the  policy  of  Mr.  Polk,  while  in  the  discharge  of  the  important  functions 
of  this  elevated  office.  The  labor  that  he  underwent  at  a  period  of  unex- 
ampled danger  to  the  republic  and  of  difficulty  with  foreign  nations,  doubtless 
hastened  his  end. 

He  declared  in  May,  '44,  in  his  letter  accepting  the  nomination,  that  he 
would  only  serve  one  term.  And  in  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Convention  in 
1848,  through  Dr.  J.  G.M.Ramsay,  of  Mecklenburg,  Knox  County,  Tennessee, 
he  reiterated  his  determination,  and  voluntarily  declined,  when  many  deemed 
his  name  the  only  available  means  of  success.  He  died  at  Nashville,  15th 
June,  1849. 

When  the  mists  of  party  and  prejudice  shall  have  subsided,  and  the  calm 
verdict  of  posterity  be  given,  the  services  and  talents  of  James  K.  Polk 
will  be  acknowledged  as  unsurpassed  in  the  annals  of  our  nation,  and  his 
talents  esteemed  as  they  deserve. 

Mecklenburg  is  proud  of  her  son ! 

Nathaniel  Alexander,  late  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  was  a  native  of 
Mecklenburg.  He  was  a  physician  by  profession,  and  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  House  of  Commons  in  1797,  from  Mecklenburg ;  a  member  of  the 
Senate  in  1801,  and  re-elected  1802.  In  1803  to  1805  he  was  a  member  of 
Congress,  and  he  was  in  1805  elected  Governor  of  the  State.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Col.  Thomas  Polk  ;  he  left  no  children.  He  was  a  man  of  much 
personal  worth  and  respectable  talents.  He  died  and  lies  buried  in  Char- 
lotte. 

William  Davidson  still  resides  in  Charlotte  "  in  a  green  old  age."  He 
succeeded  General  George  Graham  in  1813  in  the  Senate  from  Mecklen- 
burg, which  he  represented  in  1815,  '16  and  '17. 

In  1848  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  in  which  he  served  until  1821.  In 
1827  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  in  1828  and  1829. 

William  Julius  Alexander  was  long  a  representative  from  Mecklen- 
burg. He  was  born  in  Salisbury,  in  March,  1797  ;  educated  at  Poplar  Tent, 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Robinson,  and  was  graduated  at  the  University,  in  1816.  He 
studied  law  with  his  relative,  Archibald  Henderson,  Esq.,  in  Salisbury,  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1818.  He  married  Catharine  (a  fit  compeer  of  her 
imperial  namesake  of  Russia),  daughter  of  the  late  Joseph  Wilson,  Esq., 
whose  life  we  have  just  sketched. 

He  entered  public  life  as  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  in  1826,  and 
was  re-elected  in  1827  and  1828  (of  which  he  was  Speaker),  and  in  1829  and 
1830,  when  he  was  chosen  Solicitor  of  that  Judicial  Circuit,  vacated  by  the 
death  of  Joseph  Wilson,  Esq. 

In  1846,  he  was  appointed  by  the  President,  Superintendent  of  the  U.  S. 
Branch  Mint,  at  Charlotte. 

Greene  Washington  Caldwell  is  a  resident  of  Mecklenburg.  He  was 
born  in  Gaston  County,  on  the  Catawba  River,  near  Tuckasege  Ford,  on 
the  13th  of  April,  1811.  His  early  education  was  conducted  by  John  Dob- 
son.  He  studied  medicine  with  Dr.  Doherty,  near  Beattie's  Ford,  and  prac- 
ticed with  success  ;  but  becoming  dissatisfied  with  this  profession,  abandoned 
it  for  the  law,  of  which  profession  he  is  now  a  member. 


2G8  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

His  first  appearance  in  public  life  was  in  1836,  as  a  member  of  the  IIousp 
of  Commons.  lie  continued  to  be  re-elected  through  the  stormy  periods 
of  political  excitement  of  1S38,  '39  and  '40,  and  in  1841,  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  Congress,  in  which  he  served  one  Congress,  and  declined  a  re- 
election. 

In  1844,  he  was  appointed  by  the  President  Superintendent  of  the  Mint  at 
Charlotte.  In  1846,  he  was  the  unanimous  choice  of  his  party  for  Governor, 
but  this  he  declined.  When  the  war  with  Mexico  broke  out,  he  resigned  his 
appointment  in  the  Mint,  and  volunteered  to  go  to  Mexico.  _  He  was  ap- 
pointed captain  of  a  Company  of  Dragoons,  with  E.  Constantine  Davidson, 
John  K.  Harrison,  and  Alfred  A.  Norment,  as  lieutenants,  and  exchanged 
the  comforts  of  home  and  emoluments  of  office,  for  the  dangers  and  fatigues 
of  camp. 

On  his  return  from  Mexico,  he  was  elected,  without  opposition,  to  the  Se- 
nate (1849),  with  his  two  officers  as  colleagues  in  the  Commons.  He  was  a 
candidate  for  Congress  in  1851,  but  was  defeated  by  Hon.  Alfred  Dockey. 

In  this  County,  at  Charlotte,  the  government  has  located  a  branch  of  the 
United  States  Mint.  It  was  established  by  act  of  Congress  in  1835,  and  went 
into  operation  in  1836.  Its  officers  were  John  H.  Wheeler,  Superintendent; 
John  H.  Gibuon,  Assayer;  John  R.  Bolton,  Coiner;  Wm.  F.  Strange,  Clerk. 

In  1841  Colonel  Burgess  S.  Gaither  succeeded  as  Superintendent,  who  was 
succeeded  by  Hon.  Greene  W.  Caldwell,  who  resigned  his  post  to  go  to  the 
Mexican  War.  Col.  AVm.  J.  Alexander  succeeded  him,  and,  on  the  accession 
of  General  Taylor,  James  W.  Osborne,  Esq.,  was  appointed,  who  now  holds 
this  position. 

Last,  and  not  least,  should  the  Ladies  of  old  Mecklenburg  be  mentioned. 

I  find  in  the  "  South  Carolina  and  American  General  Gazette,"  from  the 
2d  to  the  9th  of  February,  1776,  the  following  paragraph  : — 

"The  young  ladies  of  the  best  families  of  Mecklenburg  County,  North 
Carolina,  have  entered  into  a  voluntary  association  that  they  will  not  receive 
the  addresses  of  any  young  gentleman  of  that  place,  except  the  brave  volun- 
teers who  served  in  the  expedition  to  South  Carolina,  and  assisted  in  sub- 
duing the  Scovalite  insurgents.  The  ladies  being  of  opinion,  that  such  per- 
sons as  stay  loitering  at  home,  when  the  important  calls  of  the  country  de- 
mand their  military  services  abroad,  must  certainly  be  destitute  of  that  noble- 
ness of  sentiment,  that  brave,  manly  spirit  which  would  qualify  them  to  be  the 
defenders  and  guardians  of  the  fair  sex.  The  ladies  of  the  adjoining  County 
of  Rowan,  have  desired  the  plan  of  a  similar  association  to  be  drawn  up  and 
prepared  for  signature." 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Mecklenburg  County, 
from  1777  to  1850-51 :— 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

Martin  Phifer,  Waightstill  Avery. 
Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 
Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 
Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 
Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 
Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 
Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 
Caleb  Phifer,  David  Wilson. 
Caleb  Phifer,  George  Alexander. 
Caleb  Phifer,  George  Alexander. 
William  Polk,  Caleb  Phifer. 
Caleb  Phifer,  .Joseph  Douglass. 
Caleb  Phifer,  George  Alexander. 
Robert  Erwin,  William  Polk. 
Caleb  Phifer,  William  Polk. 
Caleb  Phifer,  James  Harris. 


1777. 

-Jno.  McK.  Alexander, 

1778. 

Robert  Irwin, 

1779. 

Robert  Irwin, 

1780. 

Robert  Irwin, 

1781. 

Robert  Irwin, 

1782. 

Robert  Irwin, 

1783. 

Robert  Irwin, 

1784. 

James  Harris, 

1785. 

James  Harris, 

1786. 

James  ^Mitchell, 

1787. 

Robert  Irwin, 

1788. 

Joseph  Graham, 

1789. 

Joseph  Graham, 

1790. 

Joseph  Graham, 

1791. 

Joseph  Graham, 

1792. 

Joseph  Graham, 

MECKLENBURG  COUNTY. 


269 


Years.  Senate. 

1793.  Joseph  Graham, 

1794.  Joseph  Graham, 

1795.  Robert  Irwin, 

1796.  George  Gi-aham, 

1797.  Robert  Irwin, 

1798.  Robert  Irwin, 

1799.  Robert  Irwin, 

1800.  Robert  Irwin, 

1801.  Nathaniel  Alexander, 

1802.  Nathaniel  Alexander, 

1803.  George  Graham, 

1804.  George  Graham, 

1805.  George  Graham, 

1806.  George  Graham, 

1807.  George  Graham, 

1808.  George  Graham, 

1809.  George  Graham, 

1810.  George  Graham, 

1811.  George  Graham, 

1812.  George  Graham, 

1813.  William  Davidson, 

1814.  Jonathan  Harris, 

1815.  Wm.  Davidson, 

1816.  Wm.  Davidson, 

1817.  Wm.  Davidson, 

1818.  Wm.  L.  Davidson, 

1819.  Michael  McLeary, 

1820.  Michael  McLeary, 
1821..  Michael  McLeary, 

1822.  Michael  McLeary, 

1823.  Michael  McLeary, 

1824.  Michael  McLeary, 

1825.  Wm.  Davidson, 

1826.  Michael  McLeary, 

1827.  Wm.  Davidson, 

1828.  Wm.  Davidson, 

1829.  Wm.  Davidson, 

1830.  .Joseph  Blackwood, 

1831.  Henry  Massey, 

1832.  Henry  Massey, 

1833.  Washing'n  Morrison, 

1834.  Wm.  H.  McLeary, 

1835.  Stephen  Fox, 

1836.  Stephen  Fox, 

1838.  Stephen  Fox, 

1840.  J.  T.  R.  Orr, 

1842.  John  Walker, 

1844.  John  Walker, 

1846.  John  Walker, 

1848.  John  Walker, 

1850.  Green  W.  Caldwell, 


House  of  Commons. 
Charles  Polk,  George  Graham. 
Charles  Polk,  George  Graham. 
Chai-les  Polk,  George  Graham. 
David  McKee,  William  Morrison. 
James  Conner,  Nathaniel  Alexander. 
James  Conner,  Hugh  Parker. 
James  Conner,  Sherrod  Gray. 
Charles  Polk,  Hugh  Parker. 
Alexander  Morrison,  Charles  Polk. 
Alexander  Morrison,  Thos.  Henderson. 
Alexander  Morrison,  Thos.  Henderson. 
Thos.  Henderson,  Sam'l  Lowrie. 
Sam'l  Lowrie,  Geo.  W.  Smart. 
Sam'l  Lowrie,  Thos.  Henderson. 
John  Harris,  Thos.  Henderson. 
George  W.  Smart,  John  Harris. 
Thos.  Henderson,  Hutchins  G.  Burton. 
Thos.  Henderson,  H.  G.  Burton. 
Jonathan  Harris,  Henry  Massey. 
Jonathan  Harris,  Henry  Massey. 
Cunningham  Harris,  Jonathan  Harris. 
William  Beattie,  Geo.  Hampton. 
John  Ray,  Abdon  Alexander. 
Joab  Alexander,  John  Wilson. 
John  Rhea,  John  Wilson. 
John  Rhea,  John  AVilson. 
John  Rhea,  Miles  J.  Robinson. 
John  Rhea,  Miles  J.  Robinson. 
Samuel  McCoombs,  John  Rhea. 
Matthew  Baine,  John  Rhea. 
Thos.  G.  Polk,  Matthew  Baine. 
Thos.  G.  Polk,  Matthew  Baine. 
Thos.  G.  Polk,  Matthew  Baine. 
jNIatthew  Baine,  Wm.  J.  Alexander. 
Joseph  Blackwood,  Wm.  J.  Alexander. 
Joseph  Blackwood,  AVm.  J.  Alexander. 
Wm.  J.  Alexander,  Evan  Alexander. 
W^m.  J.  Alexander,  Evan  Alexander. 
James  Dougherty,  John  Ilarte. 
John  Harte,  James  Dougherty. 
Wm.  J.  Alexander,  Andrew  Grier. 
Wm.  J.  Alexander,  J.  M.  Hutchison. 
J.  M.  Hutchison,  J.  A.  Dunn. 
Jas.  Hutchison,  G.  W.  Caldwell,  J.  A. 

Dunn. 
G.  W.  Caldwell,  Jas.  T.  J.  Orr,  Caleb 

Erwin. 
G.   W.    Caldwell,    John   Walker,   Benj 

Morrow. 
John  Kirk,  Jas.  W.  Ross,  Caleb  Erwin. 
Robert  Lemmons,    J.   A.    Dunn,    John 

Kirk. 
John  W.  Potts,  John  N.  Davis,  Robert 

Lemmons. 
Harrison,  J.  N.  Davis,  J.  J.  Williams. 
John  K.    Harrison,   J.  J.   Williams, 

F.  Constantine  Davidson. 


270  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER    LII. 


MONTGOMERY   COUNTY. 


Montgomery  County  was  formed  in  the  year  1779,  fi-om  Anson 
County,  and  called  in  honor  of  General  Richard  Montgomery,  who 
was  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  Revolution,  and  who  fell  fighting 
her  battles  in  his  heroic  attack  upon  Quebec,  31st  December, 
1775. 

Gen.  Montgomery  was  a  native  of  the  North  of  Ireland.  He  commenced 
his  career  in  arms  under  the  celebrated  Gen.  Wolfe,  who  was  his  predeces- 
sor in  the  same  field  of  glory  and  of  death.  His  remains,  after  lying  at  Que- 
bec fortj'-two  years,  were  by  order  of  the  Government,  disinterred  and 
brought  to  the  city  of  New  York ;  where,  in  front  of  St.  Paul's,  on  Broad- 
way, they  now  lie,  with  this  inscription  : — 

"  This  Moxumext 

was  erected  by  oi-der  of  Congress, 

25th  January,  177G, 

to  transmit  to  posterity  a  grateful  remembrance 

of  the 

patriotism,  conduct,  enterprise,  and 

perseverance  of 

Major-General  Richard  Montgomery  ; 

who,  after  a  series  of 

successes  amidst  the  most  discouraging  difficulties, 

fell  in  the  attack  on 

Quebec, 

31st  December,  1775, 

aged  37  years. 

Montgomery  County  is  situated  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
State,  and  bounded  on  the  north  by  Randolph,  east  by  Chatham, 
south  by  Richmond  and  Anson,  and  west  by  the  Yadkin,  which 
separates  it  from  Stanly  County. 

Its  capital  is  Troy,  which  preserves  the  name  of  late  John  B. 
Troy,  Esq.,  an  eminent  attorney  at  this  county,  and  solicitor  of 
this  Judicial  Circuit.  Its  distance  from  Raleigh,  one  hundred  and 
fifteen  miles  south-west. 

Its  population  is  5055  whites;  1773  slaves;  44  free  negroes;  6162  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  products  are  2,332,222  lbs.  cotton  ;  200,597  lbs.  tobacco ;  255,496  bush- 
els corn  ;  48,879  bushels  wheat;  1525  dollars  in  gold. 

In  this_  County  resides  Hon.  Edmund  Deberry.  He  was  born  14th  Au- 
gust, 1787. 

He  was  educated  at  the  ordinary  schools  of  the  County,  and  is  a  Planter 
by  profession.  lie  entered  public  life  in  1806  as  a  membe'r  of  the  Senate,  in 
which  he  served  with  some  intermissions  until  1828;  an  unusually  long 


MONTGOMERY  COUNTY. 


271 


period  of  public  service.     In  the  next  year,  1829,  he  was  elected  a  member 
of  Congress  ;  again  in  1833,  and  again  in  1849. 

Hon.  John  Culpepper  resided  in  this  County  and  represented  this  District 
in  Congress  in  1807  to  1809,  1813  to  1817,  1819  to  1821,  1823  to  1825.*  He 
was  a  Baptist  preacher  and  elected  to  the  General  Assembly ;  but  his  seat 
was  vacated  upon  constitutional  grounds.  He  was  deemed  a  man  of  sound 
sense,  but  not  brilliant,  useful  rather  than  showy. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Montgomery  County 
from  date  of  erection  to  1850-51. 


Years.  Senate. 

1780.  John  Kimborough, 

1781.  Thomas  Childs, 

1782.  Thomas  Childs, 

1783.  Thomas  Childs, 

1784.  Samuel  Parsons, 

1785.  Samuel  Parsons, 

1786.  John  Stokes, 

1787.  John  Stokes, 

1788.  David  Nesbitt, 

1789.  William  Kendall, 

1790.  Thomas  Childs, 

1791.  James  Turner, 

1792.  James  Turner, 

1793.  James  Turner, 

1794.  Thomas  Childs, 

1795.  Thomas  Childs, 

1796.  Thomas  Childs, 

1797.  West  Harris, 

1798.  West  Harris, 

1799.  West  Harris, 

1800.  Thomas  Blewett, 

1801.  West  Harris, 

1802.  West  Harris, 

1803.  Geo.  W.  Graham, 

1804.  James  Saunders, 

1805.  James  Saunders, 

1806.  Edmund  Deberry, 

1807.  Edmund  Deberry, 

1808.  Edmund  Deberry, 

1809.  Edmund  Deberry, 

1810.  Edmund  Deberry, 

1811.  Edmund  Deberry, 

1812.  Geo.  W.  Davidson, 

1813.  Edmund  Debei-ry, 

1814.  Edmund  Deberry, 

1815.  James  Legrand, 

1816.  James  Legrand, 

1817.  John  Crump. 

1818.  Geo.  W.  Davidson, 

1819.  Geo.  W.  Davidson, 

1820.  Edmund  Deberry, 

1821.  Edmund  Deberry, 

1822.  James  Legrand, 

1823.  James  Legrand, 

1824.  James  Legrand, 

1825.  James  Legrand,' 

1826.  Edmund  Deberry, 


House  of  Commons. 
James  Roper,  Edward  Moore, 
llobert  Moss,  Peter  Handle. 
Robert  Moss,  Peter  Handle. 
James  McDonald,  Mark  Allen. 
Wm.  Kendall,  Mark  Allen. 
Jas.  McDonald,  Charles  Robertson. 
Jas.  McDonald,  John  Palmer. 
Thomas  Childs,  William  Kendall. 
James  Tindall,  Thomas  Ussory. 
Wm.  Johnson,  James  Tindall. 
Thomas  Butler,  John  Ussory. 
James  Tindall,  James  Gray. 
William  Rush,  West  Harris. 
William  Rush,  Wm.  Loften. 
AYilliam  Loften,  Thos.  Ussory. 
Thomas  Ussory,  Henry  Deberrj'. 
Wm.  Loften,  Henry  Deberry. 
Henry  Deberry,  Arthur  Harris. 
Henry  Deberry,  Arthur  Harris. 
Henry  Deberry,  Thomas  Childs,  Jr. 
Henry  Deberry,  Thomas  Childs,  Jr. 
Thos.  Childs,  Silas  Billingsfly. 
Wm.  R.  Allen,  James  Saunders. 
John  Maske,  James  Saunders. 
James  Allen,  John  Maske. 
John  Maske,  James  Allen. 
James  Allen,  David  Cochran. 
David  Cochran,  Clement  Lavier. 
Claiborn  Harris,  Joseph  Parsons. 
Joseph  Parsons,  Wm.  Crittenden. 
George  W.  Davidson,  Jos.  Parsons. 
James  Legrand,  Jos.  Parsons. 
James  Legrand,  John  Handle. 
John  Crump,  Thomas  Butler. 
J.  Crump,  Juhn  Handle. 
John  Handle,  John  Crump. 
John  Crump,  John  Handle. 
John  Lilley,  Andrew  AVade. 
John  Kendall,  John  Lilley. 
John  Lilley,  John  Kendall. 
John  Dargan,  John  Lilley. 
John  Dargan,  Hardy  Morgan. 
Hardy  Morgan,  John  Dargan. 
Hardy  Morgan,  John  Dargan. 
John  Culpepper,  John  Dargan. 
.John  Dargan,  Thos.  C.  Dunn. 
John  Dargan,  James  Allen. 


*  This  is  an   error,  but  the   authorities   are,  '=  American  Ahiianac"    for  IS.%,   and 
"  Statesman's  Manual,"  by  Williams,  ii.  1534.     JMr.  C.  was  not  in  Congress  in  1825. 


272  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1827.  Edmund  Deberry,  James  Allen,  Jas.  M.  Lilley. 

1828.  Edmund  Deberry,  Reuben  Kendall,  Jas.  M.  Lilley. 

1829.  John  Crump,  Reuben  Kendall,  Jas.  M.  Lilley. 

1830.  John  Crump,  James  M.  Lilley,  Reuben  Kendall. 

1831.  Reuben  Kendall,  Geo.  W.  McClain,  Pleasant  M.  Maske. 

1832.  James  jM.  Lilley,  Francis  Locke,  Pleasant  M.  Maske. 

1833.  Reuben  Kendall,  Francis  Locke,  Edmund  F.  Lilley. 
1835.  Reuben  Kendall,  William  Harris,  Peter  R.  Lilley. 
183G.  .John  B.  Kelley,  William  Harris,  Enoch  -Jordan. 
1838.  J.  H.  Montgomery,  William  Hai-ris,  Thos.  Pemberton. 
1840.  J.  H.  Montgomery,  Thos.  Pemberton,  Edmund  F.  Lilley. 
1842.  J.  M.  Worth,  Calvin  J.  Cochran,  Francis  Locke. 
1844.  J.  M.  Worth,  Calvin  J.  Cochran. 

1846.  Alexander  Kelly,  Zebodee  Russell. 

1848.  J.  M.  Worth,  Zebedee  Russell. 

1850.  Angus  R.  Kelly,  Zebedee  Russell. 


CHAPTER   LIII. 


MOORE  COUNTY. 


Moore  County  was  formed,  in  1784,  from  Cumberland  County, 
and  named  in  compliment  of  Hon.  Alfred  Moore,  late  one  of  the 
Associate  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  for 
whose  biography  see  Brunswick  County,  Chapter  VIII. ,  page  49. 

Moore  County  is  near  the  centre  of  the  State,  being  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Chatham,  west  by  Cumberland,  south  by  Richmond, 
and  west  by  Montgomery. 

Its  capital  is  Carthage,  seventy-nine  miles  south-west  of  Raleigh. 

Its  population  is  7197  whites  ;  1976  slaves  ;  169  free  negroes  ;  8551  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  products  are  756,640  lbs.  cotton;  6073  lbs.  wool;  31,416  lbs.  tobacco; 
30,325  bushels  corn  ;  17,241  bushels  oats;  15,643  bushels  wheat. 

Hon.  Archibald  McNiel,  of  this  county,  entered  the  House  of  Commons 
in  1808,  and  re-elected  in  1809,  and  was  elected  to  the  Senate  in  1811  ;  he 
was  again  in  the  Senate  in  1815 ;  he  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1821,  and 
served  to  1823,  and  again  elected  to  Congress  in  1825. 

Hon.  Arcuibald  McBryde,  of  this  county,  was  elected  to  Congress  in 
1809,  and  re-elected  in  1811 ;  he  was  a  member  of  the  Senate  in  1813  and 
1814. 


Hon.  Benjamin  Williams  was  a  resident  of  this  county. 
Governor  in  1799,  and  elected  to  the  State  Senate  in  1807, 


He  was  elected 

.  ,  at  which  session 

he  was  again  elected  Governor,  and,  iu  1809,  again  a  member  of  the  State 
Senate. 

He  died  in  Moore,  at  his  residence,  now  owned  by  Dr.  Charles  Chalmers. 
We  regret  that  we  do  not  know  more  of  the  lives,  characters,  and  services  of 
the  citizens  of  Moore,  and  we  trust  that  some  patriotic  son  of  hers  will,  from 
the  data  herewith  given,  furnish  more  of  their  merits. 


MOORE  COUNTY. 


273 


Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  ^loore  County,  from  its 
erection  to  last  Session,  1850-51. 


Years.  Senate. 

178.5.     Philip  Alston, 
178G.     Philip  Alston, 

1787.  Thomas  Overton, 

1788.  Thomas  Overton, 

1789.  Thomas  Overton, 

1790.  Thomas  Overton, 

1791.  Thomas  Tyson, 

1792.  Thomas  Overton, 

1793.  William  Martin, 
179-1.     Daniel  Mcintosh, 

1795.  Daniel  Mcintosh, 

1796.  Malcolm  Gilchrist, 

1797.  Daniel  Mcintosh, 

1798.  Malcolm  Gilchrist, 

1799.  Malcolm  Gilchrist, 

1800.  Malcolm  Gilchrist, 

1801.  Duncan  Brice, 

1802.  Murdock  McKenzie, 

1803.  Duncan  Brice, 

1804.  Jacob  Gastor, 

1805.  Thomas  Tyson, 

1806.  Jacob  Gastor, 

1807.  Benjamin  Williams, 

1808.  Thomas  Tyson, 

1809.  Benjamin  Williams, 

1810.  Allen  McClennan, 

1811.  Archibald  McNeill, 

1812.  Jacob  Gastor, 

1813.  Archibald  McBryde, 

1814.  Archibald  McBryde, 

1815.  Archibald  McNeill, 

1816.  Atlas  Jones, 

1817.  Atlas  Jones, 

1818.  John  B.  Kelly, 

1819.  Josiah  Tyson, 

1820.  Benjamin  Person, 

1821.  Benjamin  Person, 

1822.  Benjamin  Person, 

1823.  William  .Jackson, 

1824.  Benjamin  W.  Williams 

1825.  Cornelius  Dowd, 

1826.  Josiah  Tyson, 

1827.  Alexander  McNeill, 

1828.  Alexander  IMcNeill, 

1829.  Alexander  McNeill, 

1830.  Alexander  McNeill, 

1831.  Josiah  Tyson, 

1832.  Josiah  Tyson, 

1833.  Duncan  Murchison, 

1834.  Cornelius  Dowd, 

1835.  Cornelius  Dowd, 
1838.     John  II.  Montgomery, 
1840.     John  IT.  Montgomery, 
1842.     J.  M.  Worth, 

1844.     J.  M.  Worth, 
1846.     Alexander  Kelly, 
1848.     J.  M.  Worth, 
1850.    Angus  R.  Kelly, 


House  of  Commons. 
John  Carroll,  John  Cox. 
John  Cox,  Charles  Crawford. 
John  Cox,  Thomas  Tyson. 
William  Martin,  William  Mears. 
William  Martin,  William  Mears. 
William  Martin,  William  Mears. 
Cornelius  Dowd,  William  Martin. 
William  Barrett,  William  Dunn. 
William  Dunn,  Daniel  Mcintosh. 
Thomas  II.  Perkins,  Malcolm  Gilchrist. 
Malcolm  Gilchrist,  William  Gilchrist. 
Jacob  Gastor,  Murdock  Martin. 
Cornelius  Dowd,  Jacob  Gastor. 
William  Barrett,  Cornelius  Dowd. 
John  Mclvor,  Jacob  Gastor. 
Murdock  Martin,  Jacob  Gastor. 
Allen  McLellan,  Archibald  Dalrymple. 
Jacob  Gastor,  Allen  lAIcLellan. 
John  Atkinson,  Cornelius  Dowd. 
Allen  McLellan,  Francis  Bullock. 
Allen  McLellan,  Francis  Bullock. 
William  Barrett,  Cornelius  Dowd. 
Cornelius  Dowd,  Allen  McLellan. 
Archibald  McNeill,  William  Brice. 
Archibald  McNeill,  Edmund  Wade. 
William  Brice,  David  Pveid. 
Atlas  Jones,  John  McLennan. 
James  Seawell,  Atlas  .Jones. 
James  Seawell,  Josiah  Tyson. 
Jonathan  Tyson,  Malone  Brice. 
Jacob  Gastor,  Josiah  Tyson. 
Josiah  Tyson,  John  Murchison. 
John  Murchison,  Josiah  Tyson. 
Benjamin  Person,  John  Murchison. 
Malcolm  Brice,  Alexander  McNeill. 
Alexander  McNeill,  Josiah  Tyson. 
Josiah  Tyson,  Alexander  McNeill. 
Josiah  Tyson,  Alexander  McNeill. 
Gideon  Seawell,  Angus  Martin. 
,  Jos.  A.  Hill,  Jos.  Lamb. 
John  Murchison,  William  Crawford. 
Gideon  Seawell,  William  Wadsworth. 
Gideon  Seawell,  William  Wadsworth. 
Josiah  Tyson,  WiDiam  Wadsworth. 
William  Hancock,  Duncan  Murchison. 
William  Wadsworth,  Willis  D.  Dowd. 
William  Wadsworth,  Gideon  Seawell. 
AVm.  W^idsworth,  John  II.  Montgomery. 
Wm.  Wadsworth,  John  H.  Montgomery. 
Wm.  Wadsworth,  Angus  McDonald. 
John  0.  Kelly,  John  A.  D.  McNeill. 
John  A.  D.  McNeill. 
Duncan  Murchison. 
William  D.  Harrington. 
Donald  Street. 
M.  B.  Person. 
Samuel  -J.  Person. 
Samuel  J.  Person. 


274  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER   LIV. 


NASH  COUNTY. 


Nash  County  was  formed  from  Edgecombe  County,  in  1777, 
and  named  in  compliment  of  General  Francis  Nash,  of  Orange, 
■who  fell  this  year  at  the  battle  of  Germantown,  bravely  fighting 
for  the  liberties  of  his  country.  For  a  sketch  of  whose  life  see 
Orange  County,  Chapter  LVIII. 

It  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Halifax,  east  by  Edgecombe,  south  by  Johnston,  and 
west  by  Franklin. 

Its  capital  is  Nashville,  and  is  distant  44  miles  east  from  Raleigh. 

Its  population,  5,972  whites  ;  4,056  slaves  ;  629  free  negroes;  9,034  repre- 
sentative population. 

Products,  50,738  lbs.  cotton;  1,165  lbs.  wool;  32,325  bushels  corn;  5,882 
bushels  oats ;  833  bushels  wheat. 

ATTACK  OF  TORIES  ON  JAMES  DRAKE,  AND  GALLANT  CONDUCT  OF    HIS   SON — SOOTH- 
ING EFFECT  OF  ONE  OF  THE  GREAT  STAPLES  OF  NASH. 

During  the  Revolution  there  was  a  Captain  Beard,  who  spread  terror 
through  this  County.  This  account  of  him,  and  that  of  his  death,  has  been 
narrated  to  me  by  my  venerable  and  worthy  friend  Michael  Collins,  Esquire, 
of  Warren,  now  in  the  73d  year  of  his  age,  and  may  be  relied  on  for  its  cor- 
rectness : — 

About  1778,  Captain  Beard,  who  was  a  brave  and  gallant  soldier,  but 
mistaken  in  his  duty,  attacked  the  house  of  James  Drake,  Esq.,  of  Nash 
County,  with  a  band  of,  Tories.  There  was  at  the  time,  in  the  house,  no  one 
but  Mr.  Drake,  his  son  Albritain,  then  about  seventeen,  and  Benjamin 
Bridges,  his  half-brother ;  Nathaniel  Nichols,  Henry  Massinger,  and  Robert 
Piland.  Bridges  and  Nichols  retreated.  The  rest  prepared  for  defence. 
Albritain,  who  was  one  of  a  corps  of  light  horse,  and  had  been  in  active  duty 
scouring  the  country  for  these  very  men,  ran  out  with  a  loaded  musket  and 
fired.  The  Tories  then  surrounded  the  house,  and  ordered  a  surrender. 
They  had  several  prisoners,  tied,  with  them.  Old  Mr.  James  Drake  seized  a 
gun  and  advanced  on  the  foe,  but  his  gun  missed  fire  ;  AVilliam  R,oss,  a  Tory, 
fired  at  him  with  a  gun  charged  with  buck  shot.  His  aim  missed  the  old 
man,  but  wounded  both  Massinger  (cutting  off  a  part  of  his  nose)  and  Piland 
(shot  in  the  abdomen).  The  Tories,  headed  by  Beard,  sword  in  hand,  rushed 
into  the  house.  Beard  was  met  by  young  Albritain  Drake,  with  a  cutlass ; 
they  engaged  ;  at  the  first  blow  young  Drake's  sword  struck  the  joist  above  his 
head,  and  broke  off  at  the  hilt:  he  was  knocked  down.  The  old  man  then  joined 
in  the  melee,  with  his  gun  clubbed  ;  but  was  soon  cut  down  by  the  sword  of 
Beard,  and  was  so  severely  wounded  that  "  he  was  a  gore  of  blood."  Seeing 
her  husband  cut  down,  old  Mrs.  Drake  rushed  in,  not  with  a  weapon,  but  with 
^Jug  of  old  Nash,  even  to  this  day  celebrated  for  its  excellent  flavor.  Her  en- 
treaties and  the  more  potent  influences  of  the  liquor,  produced  a  parley.  She 
plied  them  so  liberally  with  the  brandy,  that  peace  was  restored.  Beard  had 
been  an  aspirant  for  the  hand  of  her  daughter.  During  this  time  Captain  Peter 
Goodwin  with  a  troop  of  horse  galloped  up ;  Albritain  Drake  threw  up  his 


NASH  COUNTY. 


275 


liat,  and  gave  a  loud  halloo ;  Goodwin  made  a  furious  attack,  and  Beard  and 
his  men  made  a  precipitate  retreat.  In  his  retreat,  he  was  encountered  by 
Bridges,  who  was  near.  Bridges's  gun  missed  fire,  and  Beard  used  his  sword, 
but  was  knocked  down  by  Bridges,  and  he  fell  lifeless.  Bridges  thought  he 
was  killed,  and  came  to  the  house  and  informed  them  that  he  had  killed 
Beard.  They  all  went  out  to  see  his  dead  body,  but  Beard  had  recovered  so 
as  to  sit  up.  He  was  then  taken  into  custody.  A  negro  man,  Simon,  who 
had  a  wife  at  Drake's,  caught  another  one  of  his  band,  named  Porch. _  These 
were  taken  to  Colonel  Seawell,  in  Franklin  County.  They  were  tried  by_a 
Court-martial,  and  both  were  forthwith  hung.     Such  was  the  end  of  Captain 

Mr.  Drake  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  and  died  in  1790,  in  the  sixty-fifth  year 
of  his  age.  His  brave  son  Albritain  married  and  settled  in  Robeson,  where 
his  son  John  now  lives,  and  then  moved  to  Kentucky,  where  he  raised  a 
large  family,  who,  and  their  decendants,  are  highly  respectable  and  scattered 
over  the  south-western  States.  His  son  Colonel  James  P.  Drake,  commanded 
the  Indiana  Regiment  in  the  late  war  with  Mexico.  Albritain  Drake  died 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty,  loved  and  respected  for  his  kindness  and  virtues, 

Hon.  Archibald  Arrington  resides  in  this  County.  He  is  the  brother  of 
Samuel  L.  Arrington,  who,  from  1833  to  1842,  represented  Nash  County  in 
the  Senate.  Mr.  Arrington  was  elected  to  Congress  from  this  District,  in 
1841,  and  was  re-elected  in  1843,  defeating  the  Hon,  Edward  Stanly,  After 
serving  this  Congress,  he  retired  to  private  life. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Nash  County,  from  its 
erection  to  1850-51. 


Years.  Senate. 

1778.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1780.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1781.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1782.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1783.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1784.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1785.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1786.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1787.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1788.  Red.  Bunn, 

1789.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1790.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1791.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1792.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1793.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1794.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1795.  Hardy  Griffin, 

1796.  William  Arrington, 

1797.  Archibald  Griffin, 

1798.  John  Arrington, 

1799.  John  Arrington, 

1800.  John  H.  Drake, 

1801.  John  Arrington, 

1802.  John  Arrington, 

1803.  John  Arrington, 

1804.  John  Arrington, 

1805.  John  H.  Drake, 

1806.  John  Arrington, 

1807.  John  Arrington, 

1808.  AVilliam  Arrington, 

1809.  William  Arrington, 

1810.  William  Arrington, 

1811.  William  Arrington, 


House  of  Commons. 

Thomas  Hester,  Hardy  Griffin. 
Joseph  Arrington,  Edward  Nicholson, 
Joseph  Arrington,  Edward  Nicholson. 
Joseph  Arrington,  Edward  Nicholson, 
Micajah  Thomas,  Thomas  Pounds. 
Micajah  Thomas,  Thomas  Pounds, 
John  Bonds,  Micajah  Thomas, 
John  Bonds,  Jos,  J.  Clinch. 
Micajah  Thomas,  John  Bonds. 
Wilson  Vick,  John  Bonds. 
Wilson  Vick,  John  Bonds, 
James  Battle,  John  Bonds, 
Howell  Ellen,  Joseph  Arrington, 
John  II.  Drake,  Joseph  Arrington, 
John  H.  Drake,  John  Bonds. 
John  II.  Drake,  Arch'd  Hunter. 
John  II.  Drake,  Arch'd  Hunter, 
John  II.  Drake,  Arch'd  Hunter, 
Redmond  Bunn,  Arch'd  Hunter. 
Redmond  Bunn,  John  H.  Drake, 
Redmond  Bunn,  Arch'd  Hunter. 
Geo,  Boddie,  Redmond  Bunn, 
Geo,  Boddie,  Arch'd  Hunter, 
John  Hilliard,  Arch'd  Gi'iffin, 
Arch'd  Griffin,  John  Hilliard, 
Arch'd  Griffin,  Nathan  Whitehead, 
Nathan  Whitehead,  Henry  Ilines. 
Arch'd  Griffin,  Redmond  Bunn, 
Arch'd  Griffin,  Redmond  Bunn, 
Amos  Gandy,  Redmond  Bunn. 
Michael  Collins,  Exum  Phillips. 
Amos  Gandy,  Michael  Collins. 
Michael  Collins,  Exum  Phillips. 


276 


HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

1812.  "William  vVrrington, 

1813.  George  Boddie, 

1814.  George  Boddie, 

1815.  George  Boddie, 

1816.  Michael  Collins, 

1817.  Ilobert  C.  Ililliard, 

1818.  Michael  Collins, 

1819.  Joseph  Terrell, 

1820.  W.  W.  Boddie, 

1821.  ^Vm.  W.  Boddie, 

1822.  Wm.  W.  Boddie, 

1823.  Wm.  W.  Boddie, 

1824.  ^Ym.  W.  Boddie, 

1825.  Wm.  W.  Boddie, 

1826.  Wm.  W.  Boddie, 

1827.  Nicholas  Drake, 

1828.  Wm.  W.  Boddie, 

1829.  Wm.  W.  Boddie, 

1830.  Wm.  AV.  Boddie, 

1831.  Wm.  W.  Boddie, 

1832.  Wm.  W.  Boddie, 

1833.  Samuel  L.  Arrington, 

1834.  Samuel  L.  Arrington, 

1835.  Samuel  L,  Arrington, 

1836.  Samuel  L,  Arrington, 
1838,  Samuel  L,  Arrington, 
1840,  Samuel  L.  Arrington, 
1842.  Samuel  L.  Arrington, 
1844.  John  H.  Drake, 
1846.  John  11.  Drake, 
1848.  John  H.  Drake, 
1850.  John  H.  Drake, 


House  of  Commons. 
Geo.  Boddie,  Michael  Collins. 
R.  C.  Ililliard,  Michael  Collins, 
R.  C.  Hilliard,  Michael  Collins. 
R.  C.  Ililliard,  Michael  Collins. 
Bartley  Deans,  David  Ricks. 
Arch'd  Lamon,  Joseph  Terrell. 
Wm.  W.  Boddie,  Arch'd  Lamon. 
Wm.  W.  Boddie,  Arch'd  Lamon. 
Arch'd  Lamon,  Henry  Blount, 
Henry  Blount,  Arch'd  Lamon, 
Arch'd  Lamon,  Thomas  N.  Mann, 
Arch'd  Lamon,  Thomas  N.  Mann. 
Arch'd  Lamon,  N.  J.  Drake. 
Nicholas  Drake,  Major  A.  AYilcox. 
Duncan  York,  Joseph  Arrington. 
Frederick  Battle,  Jas.  N.  Mann. 
Frederick  Battle,  Gideon  Bass. 
Duncan  York,  Jos.  Arrington. 
Jos.  Arrington,  Robert  C.  Hilliard. 
Jos.  Arrington,  Geo.  Boddie. 
Jos.  Arrington,  Geo.  Boddie. 
George  Boddie,  Ford  Taylor. 
George  Boddie,  Ford  Taylor. 
Samuel  Brown,  Ford  Taylor. 
Henry  Blount. 
Ford  Taylor. 
Ford  Taylor. 
Ford  Taylor. 
W,  D.  Harrison. 
W.  D.  Harrison. 
Dr.  Taylor. 
Ford  Taylor. 


CHAPTER  LV 


NEW  HANOVER  COUNTY. 


Date  of  erection — Origin  of  name,  situation,  and  boundaries — Population  and 
products — Colonial  and  revolutionary  history — Its  distinguished  citizens, 
and  Members  of  Assembly. 

New  IIaxover  County  was  formed  in  1728,  and  called  in  honor 
of  the  House  of  Hanover,  then  on  the  English  throne.* 

It  is  situated  in  the  south-eastern  part  of  North  Carolina ;  and 
hounded  on  the  north  hj  Duplin,  east  by  Onslow,  south  by  the  At- 
lantic Ocean,  and  west  by  the  Cape  Fear  and  South  Rivers,  which 
separate  it  from  Brunswick  and  Bladen  Counties. 

Its  capital  is  Wilmington,  called  in  compliment  to  the  Earl  of 
Wilmington,  the  nobleman  to  whose  patronage  Governor  Johnston 


*  Martin's  History  of  North  Carolina,  vol,  i.  p,  301. 


NEW  HANOVER  COUNTY.  277 

(in  1739)  was  indebted  for  his  office.  It  was  originally  called  New- 
ton.*    Distance  from  Raleigh,  one  hundred  and  fortj-eight  miles. 

On  April  30th,  1844,  a  large  portion  of  this  beautiful  town  was 
destroyed  by  fire. 

Its  population  is  8,190  whites ;  8,581  slaves  ;  897  free  negroes  ;  14,235  repre- 
sentative population. 

Its  annual  products  are,  35,951  barrels  of  turpentine  ;  200,423  bushels  of 
corn ;  28,566  pounds  of  cotton ;  7,468  pounds  of  wool ;  §14,178  worth  of  lum- 
ber ;  109  barrels  of  fish. 

There  is  no  portion  of  North  Carolina  more  early  and  more  sin- 
cerely devoted  to  liberty  than  New  Hanover. 

Long  before  the  Revolution,  its  inhabitants,  led  on  by  John  Ashe, 
showed  indomitable  resistance  to  the  tyrannical  acts  of  England. 

This  section  of  country  was  more  exposed  to  the  presence  of  the 
enemy  than  any  part  of  our  State,  and  none  showed  firmer  opposi- 
tion. 

In  July,  1774,  on  the  Boston  port  bill  being  enacted  by  Parlia- 
ment, the"  citizens  of  Wilmington  met  and  declared  "the  cause  of 
Boston,  the  common  cause  of  America."  In  the  next  month,  the 
citizens  sent,  by  Parker  Quince,  a  ship  load  of  provision  to  their  suf- 
fering brethren  in  Boston. 

On  the  adjournment  of  the  first  Continental  Congress  (in  Oct., 
1774),  on  the  23d  Nov.,  1774,  the  freeholders  of  Wilmington  held 
a  meeting  and  elected  a  Committee  of  Safety,  of  which  Cornelius 
Harnett,  John  Quince,  Francis  Clayton,  William  Hooper,  Robert 
Hocfsr,  John  Ancrum,  Archibald  McLain,  John  Robinson,  and  John 
Walker  were  members. 

In  Jime,  1775,  the  citizens  of  New  Hanover  formed  an  associa- 
tion for  defence  of  their  liberties  with  the  citizens  of  Brunswick, 
Bladen,  Duplin,  and  Onslow;  and  declared  themselves  "ready  to 
go  forth  and  be  ready  to  sacrifice  their  lives  and  fortunes  to  secure 
the  freedom  and  safety  of  the  country." 

AVhen  Governor  Martin  summoned  his  Majesty's  Council  to  attend  him  on 
board  the  sloop-of-war,  in  the  Cape  Fear  River,  in  Jan.,  1776,  the  Committee 
informed  the  members,  then  on  their  way,  that  they  could  not,  consistent "  with 
the  safety  of  the  country,  permit  them  to  attend  the  Governor." 

A  more  decided  act  does  not  occur  in  the  annals  of  any  State. 

To  the  Assembly  that  met  at  Newbern,  on  Aug.  25th,  1774,  there  appeared 
John  Ashe,  William  Hooper,  from  the  county  of  New  Hanover  ;  and  Francis 
Clayton,  from  the  town  of  Wilmington. 

In  April,  1775,  the  same  appeared  at  the  same  place,  from  the  county,  and 
Cornelius  Harnett  from  the  town. 

At  Ilillsboro',  on  Aug.  21st,  1775,  from  the  county  were  George  Moore, 
Alexander  Lillington,  Samuel  Ashe,  AVilliam  Hooper,  James  Moore,  and 
John  Ashe  ;   from  the  town,  Cornelius  Harnett  and  Archibald  McClain. 

At  Halifax,  on  April  4th,  1776,  from  the  county,  John  Ashe,  John  Devane,. 
Samuel  Ashe,  Sampson  Mosely,  and  John  IIollingsworth  ;  and  Wm.  Hooper 
from  the  town. 

The  same  appeared  at  the  same  place,  Nov.  12th,  1776,  which  Convention 
formed  our  State  Constitution. 

*  Williamson's  History  of  North  Carolina,  vol  ii.  p.  39. 


278  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

By  the  Congress  of  April  4th,  1776,  John  Ashe  was  chosen  Brigadier- 
General  of  the  Wiliuington  District. 

Alexander  Lillington  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  6th  Regiment. 

Of  the  New  Hanover  Regiment,  William  Purv^iance  was  Colonel,  Sampsok 
MosELY  Lieutenant-Colonel,  William  Mosely  Major,  John  Devane  2d  Major. 

The  first  conflict  of  arms  after  the  military  organization  of  the 
State,  occurred  in  this  county,  at  Moore's  Creek,  on  the  27th  of 
February,  1776.  This  has  ah'eady  been  referred  to  in  the  life  of 
Caswell,*  and  in  the  life  of  Flora  MacDonald.f 

The  Royal  Governor,  Martin,  had  taken  refuge  on  board  of  a 
ship-of-war,  on  the  Cape  Fear  River,  and  General  Clinton  with  a 
large  force  appeared  to  reinstate  him. 

Governor  Martin,  working  upon  the  loyalty  of  the  Scottish  popu- 
lation on  Cross  Creek  (now  Fayetteville),  had  persuaded  them  to 
rise  and  form  a  junction  with  General  Clinton.  He  had  sent  a 
commission  to  the  chief  of  the  Clan  of  MacDonald,  as  Brigadier- 
General,  and  they  had  assembled  in  strong  force,  and  marched  to- 
wards the  Cape  Fear. 

On  the  27th  of  February,  1776,  they  met  at  Moore's  Creek,  in 
Hanover  County,  Colonels  Caswell  and  Lillington,  with  an  inferior 
force.  A  severe  conflict  ensued;  the  Royalists  were  routed,  their 
General,  MacDonald,  taken  prisoner,  and  many  killed  and  wounded. 

This  was  most  fortunate  at  the  time.  Had  the  Loyalists  effected 
a  junction  with  Clinton,  they  would  have  overrun  the  whole  country, 
dispersed  the  friends  of  liberty,  and  encouraged  its  enemies. 

I  present  Colonel  Caswell's  own  official  report  of  this  battle. 

A  letter  from  Richard  Caswell,  to  Mr.  President  Harnett : — 

February  2^th,  1776. 

"  Sir — I  have  the  pleasure  to  acquaint  you  that  we  had  an  engagement  with 
the  Tories,  at  Widow  Moore's  Creek  Bridge,  on  the  27th  current.  Our  army 
was  about  one  thousand  strong,  consisting  of  the  Newborn  Battalion  of  Mi- 
nute-men, the  militia  from  Craven,  Johnston,  Dobbs,  and  AVake,  and  a  de- 
tachment of  the  Wilmington  Battalion  of  Minute-men,  which  we  found  en- 
camped at  Moore's  Creek  the  night  before  the  battle,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Lillington.  The  Tories,  by  common  report,  were  three  thousand  ; 
but  General  MacDonald,  whom  we  have  prisoner,  says  there  were  about 
fifteen  or  sixteen  hundred ;  he  was  unwell  that  day,  and  not  in  the  battle. 
Captain  McLeod,  who  seemed  to  be  principal  commander,  and  Captain  John 
Campbell,  are  among  the  slain." 

In  the  same  letter  he  says : — 

"  Colonel  Moore  arrived  at  our  camp  a  few  hours  after  the  engagement  was 
over.  His  troops  came  up  that  evening,  and  are  now  encamped  on  the 
ground  where  the  battle  was  fought,  and  Colonel  Martin  is  at  or  near  Cross 
Creek,  with  a  large  body  of  men.  These,  I  presume,  will  be  sufficient  to  put 
a  stop  to  any  attempt  of  the  Tories  to  embody  again." 

The  proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the  Town  of 
Wilmington,  from  1774  to  1776,  have  been  published,  and  evince 
the  purest  patriotism  and  unconquerable  spirit  of  liberty.  The 
members  were  sworn  to  secrecy,  and  exercised  unlimited  power  over 

*  Yol.  i.  88.  t  See  Cumberland,  chapter  xxiii. 


NEW  HANOVER  COUNTY.  279 

the  property,  persons,  and  lives  of  the  community.  They  provided 
arms  for  the  defence  of  the  country.  Great  as  their  powers  were, 
in  no  instance  were  they  used  with  injustice  or  oppression.  Among 
these  appear  the  names  of  John  Baptist  Ashe,  John  Ashe, 
Samuel  Ashe,  Cornelius  Harnett,  Wm.  Hooper,  Thomas 
Brown,  Thomas  Owen,  Archibald  MacLaine,  Alexander 
LiLLiNGTON,  Samuel  Swann,  and  others  ? 

The  events  of  the  Revokition  and  previous,  and  the  recollections 
that  cluster  around  their  names,  the  sketch  of  their  lives  and  ser- 
vices, and  the  history  of  the  Town  of  \Yilmington,  and  the  County 
of  New  Hanover,  would  form  of  itself  a  volume  of  deep  interest. 
Already  have  the  character  and  services  of  one  General  John  Ashe 
employed  the  pen  of  the  biographer.  May  we  not  hope  that  this 
may  stimulate  other  sons  of  the  patriotic  section  of  our  State  to 
preserve  the  record  of  their  glorious  ancestry  ? 

"  Character  is  as  important  to  a  State  as  to  individuals,"  and 
that  estimate  is  chiefly  based  upon  the  achievement  and  conduct  of 
its  citizens. 


ASHE   FAMILY. 

John  Baptist  Ashe,  the  founder  and  origin  of  the  family,  emigrated  from 
England  in  the  early  part  of  1727.  He  was  the  friend  of  Lord  Craven,  and 
under  his  powerful  patronage,  sought  his  fortunes  in  the  Western  World.  He 
was  a  man  of  liberal  education,  accomplished  manners,  and  superior  intellect. 

His  name  appears  as  one  of  the  Council  named  in  the  Commission  of 
George  Burrington,  as  Governor  of  North  Carolina  in  1730.* 

He  married  Elizabeth  Sv\-ann,  a  relative  of  Samuel  Swann,  who  was  an  emi- 
nent lawyer,  and  compiler  of  the  statute  laws  in  1752  (called  Yellow  Jacket.) 

From  this  union  sprang  three  children: — 

I.  John-  Ashe,  born  1721, 
II.  Mart,  born  1723,  who  married  Moore. 

III.  Samuel,  born  1725. 

I.  John  Ashe  was  distinguished  in  his  opposition,  before  the  Revolution, 
to  the  Stamp  Act;  was  Speaker  of  the  Assembly,  under  the  Colonial  Govern- 
ment, from  1762,  to  1765  ;  remarkable  fur  his  talents,  firmness,  and  fine  per- 
sonal appearance.  He  was  the  officer  who  led  the  daring  spirits  of  this  sec- 
tion in  that  day. 

He  attacked  Fort  Johnston,  ran  the  Royal  Governor  (Martin)  on  board  of 
a  sloop-of-war,  and  destroyed  the  fort.  This  was  an  overt  act  of  treason 
against  the  Royal  Government. 

He  was  the  first  person  in  the  State  that  ever  received  a  commission  from 
the  people.  In  1775,  he  declined  the  commission  of  Colonel,  from  the  Royal 
Governor,  Martin,  and  was  appointed  Colonel  of  New  Hanover  County. 

In  1776,  he  was  appointed  Brigadier-General  of  Wilmington  District. 

He  served  in  the  South,  and  at  Brier  Creek  (1779)  on  the  Savannah  River, 
he  was  surprised  by  the  enemy  under  General  Prevost,  and  a  great  loss 
ensued. 

From  General  John  Ashe,  to  Major-General  Lincoln,  giving  an 
account  of  the  disaster  at  Brier  Creek : — 

Matthew's  Bluff,  3d  of  March,  1779. 

Sir — I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  at  3  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  enemy  came 
down  upon  us  in  force,  what  number,  I  know  not.     The  troops  did  not  stand 

*  Vol.  i.  42. 

27 


280  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

fire  five  minutes  ;  many  fled  without  discharging  their  pieces.  I  went  with 
the  fugitives  half  a  mile,  and  finding  it  impossible  to  rally  the  troops,  I 
made  mv  escape  into  the  river  swamp,  and  made  up  in  the  evening  to  this 
place.  Two  officers  and  two  soldiers  \jame  off  with  me.  The  rest  of  the 
troops  have  fallen,  I  am  afraid,  into  the  enemy's  hands,  as  they  had  but  little 
further  where  they  could  fly  to.  Luckily,  Major  Grimkie  had  got  the  artillery 
out  of  the  boat,  so  I  shall  keep  them  here  with  General  Rutherford's  brigade, 
to  defend  this  pass  until  I  receive  further  orders  from  you.  This  instant, 
General  Bryant  and  Colonel  Perkins  have  arrived.  Colonel  Eaton  was 
drowned  in  crossing  the  river.*  _ 

Since  writing  the  above,  a  number  of  officers  and  soldiers  have  arrived. 
We  have  taken  a  man  who  says  he  was  taken  by  them,  and  would  not  take 
their  oath,  and  was  formerly  under  Lee,  at  the  northward.  lie  informed  me 
that  there  were  1,700  red  coats  in  the  action,  also  a  number  of  Tories  from 
New  York,  Georgia  militia,  and  Florida  scouts  ;  that  1,500  men  had  marched 
up  to  Augusta,  to  fortify  that  place ;  that  they  are  fortifying  Hudson's 
strono-ly:  that  the  day  they  marched  off,  7,000  men  had  arrivedfrom  New 
Yorkf  Generals  Bryant  and  Rutherford  are  of  opinion  that  it  is  better  to 
retreat  to  your  quarters,  therefore,  I  am  inclined  to  march  to-night  when  we 
get  our  fugitives  over.  I  am,  &c.,  JOHN  ASHE. 

Major-General  Lincoln. 

A  Court-Martial  was  ordered,  at  the  request  of  General  Ashe,  by  General 
Lincoln,  on  the  9th  of  March,  1779.t  This  Court  decided,  "  that  General  Ashe 
did  not  take  all  the  necessary  precautions  to  secure  his  camp,  and  to  obtain 
timely  intelligence  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  but  the  Court  acquitted 
him  of  all  imputations  as  to  want  of  personal  courage,  and  that  he  remained 
on  the  field  as  long  as  prudence  and  duty  required."  He  returned  to  his 
residence  after  this,  near  Wilmington,  then  in  possession  of  the  British,  under 
Major  Craig,  and  finally,  he  was  betrayed,  by  his  confidential  servant,  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  suffered  a  long  and  rigid  confinement.  While  in 
confinement,  he  contracted  the  small-pox.  He  was  released  on  parole,  and  died 
soon  after  with  that  disease,  at  the  house  of  Colonel  John  Sampson,  in  Samp- 
son County,  in  October,  1781. 

His  son  Samuel  served  as  a  Captain  of  Light  Horse,  and  rendered  im- 
portant services  in  various  expeditions  against  the  enemy  until  the  close  of 
the  war. 

II,  Samuel  Ashe,  son  of  John  Baptist  Ashe,  born  in  1725,  was  more  of 
the  statesman  than  soldier.  lie  was  an  educated  man,  and  by  profession  a 
lawyer.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Council,  and  an  ardent  friend  of 
libeity.  He  served  throughout  the  war  in  various  military  and  civil  capaci- 
ties. He  was  a  member  of  the  State  Congress  at  Hillsboro',  on  21st  August, 
1775,  and  by  this  body  appointed  Paymaster  of  the  first  continental  regi- 
ment, and  a  member  of  the  body  at  Halifax  in  April,  1776,  and  a  member  of 
the  Convention  at  the  same  place,  12th  November,  1776,  which  formed  our 
State  Constitution. 

In  1777,  he  was  one  of  the  three  Judges  under  the  Constitution  (John  Wil- 
liams and  Samuel  Spencer  being  the  other  two),  which  he  held  until  1795, 
when  he  was  elected  Governor  of  the  State. 

The  following  letter  from  Governor  Ashe  will  show  the  spirit  of  the  times 
and  the  part  he  bore. 

Cape  Fear,  8th  October,  1776. 

My  Dear  Sir — Laudamus  te  Denm!  we  can  at  present  joyfully  chant  forth. 
The  vessels  of  war  lately  here,  I  am  just  now  informed,  took  their  departure 
a  few  days  since,  first  burning  two  of  their  tenders.     We  have  now  an  open 

*  This  was  a  mistake,  for  although  Gen.  Ashe  believed  that  Eaton  was  drowned,  he 
arrived  safely  at  Gen.  Lincoln's  camp,  and  gave  early  information  of  this  vicissitude  of 
war 

t  Of  this  Court,  General  William  Moultrie  was  President,  General  Rutherford,  Colonel 
Lock,  and  others,  members.  Its  proceedings  and  the  evidence,  are  reported  in  "Moultrie's 
Memoirs,"  ii.  338. 


NEW  HANOVER  COUNTY.  281 

port,  though  I  fear  it  will  not  long  be. one,  unless  your  Honorable  Board  will 
hurry  down  some  ball.  I  presume  Mr.  Ilewes,  with  a  budget  of  interesting 
northern  news,  is  with  you  before  this.  Pray  be  so  obliging  as  to  communi- 
cate by  a  line  what  he,  or  any  other,  may  have  brought.  We  have  none 
here  since  the  Long  Island  afifair  ;  not  one  syllable  of  Indian  matters.  Has 
Avery  returned  ?  or  have  the  Indians  borrowed  the  poor  fellow's  nightcap  ? 
I  wish  to  hear  from  that  quarter.  The  humor  of  salt  baking  seems  to  be 
taking  place  here.  I  have  seen  some  baked  here,  the  cleanest  and  whitest  of 
any  salt,  I  think,  I  ever  saw  in  all  my  life.  Every  old  wife  is  now  scouring 
up  her  pint  pot  for  the  necessary  operations.  God  send  them  good  luck. 
Pray  tender  my  respectful  compliments  to  every  member  of  your  Board,  and 
believe  me.  Dear  sir,  with  esteem,  your  obedient  servant, 

SAMUEL  ASHE. 

P.S.  Just  as  I  finished  this  I  was  told  the  cruiser,  too  long  a  terror  of  Cape 
Fear,  was  likewise  burnt. 

To  WiLiE  Jones,  Esq., 

Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  Halifax. 

He  married  Mary  Porter,  by  whom  he  had  John  Baptist,  born  in  1748,  and 
Samuel,  born  in  1763,  and  Cincinnatus,  born  in  1765.  If  not  a  soldier  him- 
self, he  gave  proof  that  he  was  of  the  "  stuff  of  which  soldiers  are  made," 
for  all  these  sons  entered  the  army. 

John  B.  Ashe  entered  the  army  at  an  early  age.  He  was  appointed  on 
17th  April,  1776,  a  Captain  in  the  6th  Regiment  of  State  troops  in  the  conti- 
nental service,  commanded  by  Colonel  Alexander  Lillington,  and  promoted 
to  a  Lieutenant-Colonelcy  ;  and,  as  such,  served  at  the  hard  fought  battle  of 
Eutaw  Springs  in  September,  1781. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Continental  Con- 
gress in  1787  and  served  until  1788 ;  and  a  member  of  Congress  under  the 
Constitution  from  1790  and  served  until  1793.  He  settled  in  Halifax,  mar- 
ried a  daughter  of  Col.  Montfort,  and  sister  of  Mrs.  Wilie  Jones.  It  was  this 
lady  whose  wit  caused  even  the  martial  spirit  of  Tarleton  to  quail. 

In  1795,  he  represented  Halifax  in  the  House  of  Commons,  and  about  this 
time  was  elected  Governor  of  the  State,  but  died  before  his  inauguration. 

His  brother,  Samuel  Ashe,  was  born  in  1763.  He  entered  the  army  in 
1779  at  the  early  age  of  sixteen,  as  a  lieutenant.  He  joined  Gen.  Lincoln  at 
Charleston,  and  was  captured  at  that  place  in  May,  1780.  After  a  captivity 
of  fifteen  months,  he  and  his  companions  were  shipped  to  Jamestown,  Vir- 
ginia ;  where  they  were  exchanged.  He  joined  the  army  under  Lafayette, 
and  was  soon  after  transferred  to  General  Greene's  army,  with  which  he  con- 
tinued until  the  close  of  the  war. 

Samoel  Ashe,  son  of  Gen.  John  Ashe,  has  often  represented  New  Hanover 
in  both  branches  of  the  General  Assembly.  His  last  session  was  in  the 
Senate  in  1817.     He  died  about  twenty  years  ago. 

Of  this  family  there  were  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  five  officers  at  one  time, 
all  actively  engaged  in  the  service  of  their  country.  Gen.  John  Ashe  and 
his  son  Captain  Samuel  Ashe,  and  Col.  John  Baptist  Ashe,  Samuel  Ashe,  and 
Cincinnatus  Ashe,  a  Captain  of  Marines. 

Worthy  is  such  a  family  of  the  record  of  their  deeds,  and  worthily  is  their 
name  preserved  in  one  of  our  mountain  counties  ! 

Of  the  family  of  Butlers,  at  a  dinner  in  Philadelphia,  Gen.  Lafayette  gave 
a  toast  that  "  when  he  wished,  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  anything  well  done, 
he  got  a  Butler  to  do  it."  Might  not  North  Carolina  say  the  same  of  the 
name  of  Ashe  ?  ' 

Cornelius  Harnett  was  also  of  this  county.  One  of  the  earliest  and  most 
devoted  friends  of  liberty,  he  threw  into  the  'doubtful  balance  his  influence, 
his  property,  and  his  life,  for  America. 

He  was  distinguished  as  "  a  gentleman  and  a  scholar,"  as  well  as  a  citizen 


282  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

of  •'reat  Tvoalth  and  influence.    Mr.  Quincy,  of  Boston,  who  visited  him  in 
Ma?ch,  1773,  pronounced  him  "  the  Samuel  Adams  of  North  Carolina. 

As  early  as  1730,  he  was  named  in  Governor  Buvrington's  commission,  as 
Counsellor.  He  was  the  President  of  the  Provincial  Council,  which  was  the 
Executive  power  of  the  State,  and  as  such  he  was  virtually  her  Governor 
in  the  interregnum  between  the  retreat  of  Gov.  Martin  and  the  accession 
of  a  Constitutional  officer.  This  office  was  one  of  great  peril,  arduous  and 
responsible.  Had  the  British  subdued  this  country,  and  he  fallen  into 
their  hands,  a  halter  would  have  been  his  fate.  Gen.  Clinton  specially 
marked  him,  and  excluded  him  from  all  marks  of  pardon  or  favor.  In  the 
course  of  the  events  of  war  he,  however,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  and 

died  in  captivity.*  .  .,.,..        .  i    j 

It  is  a  matter  of  deep  regret  that  more  of  the  history  of  this  distinguished 
man,  whose  life  was  ofl'ered  up  to  his  country,  is  not  known.  It  is  hoped 
that 'this  feeble  notice  will  excite  some  friend  of  the  State  to  collect  and 
collate  the  full  biography  of  this  worthy  citizen.  Last  Session  of  our  General 
Assembly  (1851),  a  proposition  was  made  to  name  a  County,  Harnett.  Wor- 
thy are  his  services  and  sacrifices  of  such  a  compliment,  and  the  State  is 
proud  to  cherish  his  name. 

The  life  and  character  of  William  Hooper,  who  was  long  a  resident  and 
representative  of  this  county,  deserve  our  especial  attention.  It  was  most 
strangely  aspersed  by  Mr.  Jetferson,  in  a  letter  to  John  Adams,  dated  9th  July, 
1819, In  which  he  says,  that  "we  had  not  a  greater  Tory  in  Congress  than 
Hooper."  This  remark  produced  in  1834,  Jones'  "Defence  of  North  Carolina." 
That  his  prejudices  had  clouded  Jefferson's  judgment  in  regard  to  this, 
as  well  as  to  our  Declaration  of  Independence  at  Charlotte,  there  can  be  no 
doubt.  It  is,  however,  a  matter  of  no  regret,  since  these  very  errors  have 
stimulated  the  sons  of  North  Carolina  to  examine  the  records,  vindicate  her 
character  and  the  integrity  of  history.  The  character  of  Wm.  Hooper  has 
been  placed  beyond  all  cavil,  and  the  Declaration  of  Independence  at  Char- 
lotte in  May,  1775,  now  rests  on  as  solid  foundations  for  truth  and  reality, 
as  the  National  Declaration  at  Philadelphia,  on  4th  July,  1776. 

I  am  indebted  to  the  politeness  of  Mr.  Heart,  of  Hillsboro',  for  the  follow- 
ing sketch  of  the  life,  character,  and  services  of  William  Hooper,  from,  the 
pen  of  one  of  the  best  writers  of  his  day,  that  from  his  connection  with  the 
distinguished  subject  of  his  biography,  gave  him  facilities  for  procuring  facts 
possessed  by  no  other  person. 

William  Hooper,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  17th  June,  1742,  in 
Boston,  Massachusetts.  His  father,  the  Kev.  William  Hooper, _  pastor  of 
Trinity  Church  in  that  town,  is  mentioned  briefly  and  imperfectly  in  Elliott's 
Biographical  Dictionary.  The  addition  of  a  few  words  would  ha,ve  prevented 
the  suspicion  that  the  account  was  penned  in  the  spirit  of  prejudice.  Certain 
it  is,  that  no  minister  ever  enjoyed  more  fully  the  affection  and  reverence  of 
his  congregation,  and  few  have  been  so  much  admired  for  elegance  of  man- 
ners, and  a  bold  and  impressive  eloquence.  Besides  the  learning  and  the 
sciences  which  are  obtained  at  universities,  he  possessed  accomplishmentsf 
such  as  ai-e  not  considered,  in  any  degree,  essential  in  forming  the  erudite 
and  well-bred  divine.  He  married,  in  Boston,  the  daughter  of  Mr.  John 
Dennie,  an  eminent  merchant.  William  was  the  eldest  of  five  children  by 
this  marriage. 

The  plan  of  his  education  commenced  in  his  infancy.  At  the  age  of  seven 
he  was  removed  in  part  from  the  pupilage  of  his  father,  and  placed  at  a  free 
grammar  school  in  Boston,  the  master  of  which  was  John  Lovel,  almost  as 
much  celebrated  in  America,  in  his  day,t  as  was  once  the  famous  Doctor 


t  In  u  leiler  from  the  late  venerable  Doctor  Lloyd,  of  Boston,  dated  24th  September, 
]796,  to  one  of  the  sons  of  W.  Hooper,  pastor  of  Trinity  Church,  he  says,  "Your  father's 
memory  will  ever  be  dear  to  me.  tin  was  the  n»ost  accomplished  gentleman,  and  one  of 
the  best  friends  I  ever  had." 

t  1749. 


NEW  HANOVER  COUNTY.  283 

Busby  in  England.  Here  he  was  distinguished  for  his  proficiency  in  the 
studies  preparatory  to  his  entering  into  College,  and  completed  the  regular 
course  of  seven  years  with  commendation  and  praise.*  At  this  early  period 
he  was  remarked  on  for  the  weakness  of  his  constitution.  His  nerves  were 
so  sensitive,  that  he  became  an  object  of  incessant  raillery  to  his  group  of  little 
relatives  and  to  his  father's  domestics.  With  increase  of  years,  his  constitu- 
tion grew  firmer,  but  his  nerves  always  retained  much  of  their  early  delicacy. 
Aided  by  the  instruction  of  his  father,  which  was  never  remitted,  he  made 
literary  acquirements  uncommon  for  one  of  his  age,  and  advanced  himself 
in  his  scholastic  studies  beyond  his  coteniporaries.  It  was,  no  doubt,  owing 
to  this  circumstance  that  he  was  admitted,  contrary  to  established  rules,  into 
the  sophomore  class  at  Harvard  College. f  There  he  took  rank  among  the 
most  (listinguished,  and  signalized  himself  in  oratory.  He  graduated  A.  B. 
in  1760,  and  A.  M.  in  1763. 

Such  was  the  anxious  attention  which  his  father  bestowed  on  him,  in  order 
to  form  him  as  an  oi-ator,  that  his  vacations  were  periods  of  more  laborious 
study  and  exertion  than  the  terms  of  his  scholastic  exercises.  And  here  it  is 
worthy  of  observation,  that  the  genius  of  the  fxther  and  son  were  diametri- 
cally opposite.  ThUt  of  the  father  was  of  a  loftier  cast,  and  was  formed  in 
the  school  of  Demosthenes  ;  that  of  the  son  was  Ciceronian  in  its  features. 
The  characteristic  of  the  father  was  vehemence  ;  that  of  the  son  insinuation. 
Were  it  not  a  presumptuous  comparison,  I  would  say,  the  father  was  Chatham, 
the  son  was  William  Pitt. 

It  was  the  early  intention  and  earnest  wish  of  his  father  to  devote  this  son 
to  the  ministry.  To  this,  however,  the  son  was  disinclined,  for  reasons  that 
were  considered  satisfactory  by  his  father,  who  agreed  to  alter  his  destina- 
tion. Finding  that  he  preferred  the  study  of  the  law,  he  placed  him  with 
James  Otis,  Esq.,  who  was  then  a  lawyer  of  eminence. 

At  this  period  commenced  the  attempts  of  the  English  Parliament  against 
the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  subjects  in  the  Provinces.  Mr.  Otis  took  an 
early  and  decided  stand,  by  his  vvritings  and  open  declarations,  against  this 
assumed  power  of  the  British  Government.  He  was  exceeded  by  none  in 
zeal,  and  equalled  by  few  in  abilities.  The  high  esteem  and  respect  which 
the  subject  of  these  sketches  entertained  for  Mr.  Otis,  naturally  rendered  him 
partial  to  his  political  principles ;  and  there  can  be  no  doubt,  had  the  eifect  of 
assisting  to  engraft  those  principles  on  his  mind,  and  to  establish  them  per- 
manently there.  Subsequent  events  ripened  them  into  maturity,  and  ren- 
dered them  active. 

Mr.  Hooper  having  prepared  himself  for  the  practice  of  the  law,  and  finding 
the  bar  in  his  native  State  so  overflowing,  that  there  was  no  encouragement 
for  juvenile  practitioners,  determined,  about  1763,  to  try  the  experiment  of 
making  his  fortune  in  North  Carolina.  To  this  he  was  invited  by  the  circum- 
stance of  his  family  having  very  particular  friends,  influential  characters  in 
the  Province.  Accordingly,  in  1764,  he  embarked  at  Boston  for  Wilmington, 
on  Cape  Fear.  He  did  not  remain  long  in  North  Carolina  at  that  visit,  but 
returned  to  Boston  in  about  a  year.  In  1765  he  again  visited  North  Carolina, 
and  advanced  in  the  practice  of  the  law.  His  health,  however,  sustained 
such  severe  shocks,  that  he  resolved,  conformably  to  the  wishes  of  his  father, 
to  abandon  it. 

In  1767,  the  death  of  his  father  made  it  necessary  that  he  should  revisit 
bis  native  place,  and  at  the  same  time  Ijlasted  the  hope  of  his  quitting  North 
Carolina,  which,  on  account  of  his  health  only,  he  wished  to  do.  In  the  fall 
of  1767,  having  determined  to  fix  his  residence  permanently  in  Wilmington, 
he  married,  in  Boston,  Miss  Ann  Clark,  of  the  former  place,  daughter  of  Thos, 
Clark,  Esq.,  deceased,  and  sister  of  Gen.  Thos.  Clark,  afterwards  of  the  United 
States  Army.  The  choice  was  most  fortunate,  considered  in  reference  to  the 
qualifications  of  the  lady  to  adorn  and  sweeten  social  life.  It  was  most 
fortunate,  too,  considered  in  reference  to  that  firmness  of  mind  which  enaldes 
her  to  sustain,  Avithout  repining,  the  grievous  privations  and  distresses  to  which 

*  1756.  t  1757' 


284  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

she  became   peculiarly  exposed  in   consequence  of  the  prominent  station 
•which  Mr.  Hooper  held  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 

In  relatin"'  the  events  and  circumstances  in  the  life  of  an  individual  who 
has  acquired  distinction  by  the  exercise  of  superior  f\iculties,  it  is  proper  to 
notice  every  particuhvr  which  has  an  influence  on  the  progress  of  the  mind.^ 

The  fatigue  of  attending  to  the  practice  of  the  law  is,  in  our  days,  consi- 
dered excessive.  When  Mr.  Hooper  came  to  the  bar,  and  for  several  years 
after,  it  was  infinitely  greater.  Then  the  luxury  of  carriages  for  traveling 
was  not  common.  Mr.  Hooper  attended  the  County  Courts  of  Rowan,  and 
other  counties  in  the  back  country,  at  least  one  hundred  and  eighty  milea 
distant  from  Wilmington,  and  he  traveled  on  horseback.  Such  fatigue  was 
too  great  for  a  constitution  naturally  delicate. 

The  manners  and  customs  of  the  people  of  Cape  Fear,  at  that  period,  were 
not  more  favorable  to  a  proficiency  in  legal  science,  than  was  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  courts.  Hospitality  carried  to  an  extreme,  and  an  excessive  fond- 
ness for  conviviality,  were  the  characteristics  of  those  days.  In  fact,  every 
class  of  society  became  infected  by  the  example  ;  and  numbers  of  old  families, 
now  reduced  to  comparative  poverty,  have  reason  to  rue  the  prodigal  libe- 
rality of  their  ancestors.  Hospitality  is  indeed  a  virtue,  which  travelers  and 
geographists,  who  have  attempted  to  describe  North  Carolina,  very  generally 
allow  to  her,  however  penurious  their  praise  may  be  in  other  respects. 

The  British  Governor  Martin,  on  a  visit  to  Wilmington,  having  occasion 
to  reply  to  an  address  of  the  inhabitants,  presented  by  Mr.  Hooper,  styled  it 
"  the  region  of  politeness  and  hospitality."  The  commerce  of  AYilmington 
was  then  improving,  and  derived  great  advantage  from  a  bounty  on  naval 
stores.  Many  of  the  families  residing  in  it  were  possessed  of  fortunes,  and 
all  of  them  in  respectable  stations,  obtained  subsistence  without  painful  ex- 
ertion. 

But  the  dissipation  which  arose  out  of  an  excess  of  hospitality,  exhibited  a 
more  animated  picture  in  the  surrounding  country.  Whole  families,  and 
frequently  several  families  together,  were  in  the  practice  of  making  visits, 
and,  like  the  tents  of  the  Arabs,  seemed  continually  in  motion.  The  number 
of  visitants,  the  noise  and  bustle  of  arrivals  and  greetings,  the  cries  of  the 
poultry  yard,  and  the  bleatings  of  the  pasture,  require  some  sounding  poly- 
syllable to  convey  an  idea  of  the  joyous  uproar,  some  new-coined  word  to 
distinguish  their  caravan  approaches  from  ordinary  visits  or  formal  visita- 
tions. Every  visit  was  a  sort  of  jubilee.  Festive  entertainment,  balls,  every 
species  of  amusement  which  song  and  dance  could  afford,  was  resorted  to. 
The  neighing  courser  and  the  echoing  horn,  the  sports  of  the  turf  and  the 
pleasure  of  the  chase,  were  alternately  the  objects  of  eager  pursuit.  Every- 
where, on  the  eastern  and  western  branches  of  the  River  Cape  Fear,  were 
men  of  fortune,  related  by  blood  or  connected  by  marriage,  whose  settlements 
extended  almost  as  far  as  the  then  lowly  hamlet  of  Cross  Creek,  since  digni- 
fied by  the  name  of  Fayetteville,  and  now  swollen  into  importance  by  a 
numerous  population. 

This  general  ease  and  prosperity  was  highly  favorable  to  the  cultivation  of 
polite  literature,  and  to  the  development  of  talents  of  a  certain  kind.  The 
state  of  manners  tended  to  awaken  a  spirit  of  improvement,  which  pervaded 
the  whole  community.  Every  family  possessed  a  collection  of  the  best 
English  authors,  besides  which  there  was  a  public  library,  supported  by  a 
society  of  gentlemen,  and  styled  "  the  Cape  Fear  Library."  Wit  and  humor, 
music  and  poetry,  were  drawn  into  action  in  social  and  convivial  intercourse. 
Conversation  was  cultivated  to  a  high  degree.  Emanating  from  letters  or 
science,  or  rising  out  of  the  busy  scenes  of  life,  it  always  teemed  with  instruc- 
tion and  imparted  delight.  The  point  of  honor  was  understood  and  recog- 
nized, and  the  sliglitest  approach  to  indignity  resented.  In  this  exercise  of 
colloquial  talent,  the  ladies  participated  and  heightened  the  pleasures.  Then 
they  were  not,  as  now,  early  instructed,  or  perhaps,  were  not  instructed  at 
all  in  the  rudiments  of  knowledge ;  but  they  derived  from  reading,  and  im- 
bibed from  an  association  with  eminent  persons  of  the  opposite  sex,  a  tincture 
of  taste  and  elegance,  and  they  had  softness,  sentiment,  grace,  intelligence — • 


NEW  HANOVER  COUNTY.  285 

every  quality  which  in  the  female  sex  can  inspire  and  exalt  the  enthusiasm 
of  romantic  passion. 

In  the  hospitable  conviviality  of  those  times,  allurements  to  dissipation 
were  greater  than  social  life  usually  presents.  The  actors  were  far  above  the 
cast  of  ordinary  bon  vivants.  I  once  hoped  to  be  able  to  present  a  biogra- 
phical sketch  of  each  of  them,  but  my  cares  and  avocations  have  compelled 
me  to  relinquish  the  task.  Among  these  there  was  Eustace,*  the  correspond- 
ent of  Sterne,  who  united  wit,  and  genius,  and  learning,  and  science ;  Ilarnett.f 
who  could  boast  a  genius  for  music,  and  taste  for  letters  ;  Lloyd,t  gifted  with 
talents  and  adorned  with  classical  literature;  Pennington,^  an  elegant  writer, 
admired  for  his  wit  and  his  highly  polished  urbanity;  Maclaine,l|  whose 
criticisms  on  Shakspearef  would,  if  they  were  published,  give  him  fameand 
rank  in  the  republic  of  letters ;  Boyd,**  who,  without  pretensions  to  wit  or 
humor,  possessed  the  rare  art  of  telling  a  story  with  spirit  and  grace,  and 
whose  elegiac  numbers  afforded  a  striking  contrast  to  the  vivid  brilliancy  of 
the  scenes  in  which  he  figured  ;  Moore, ff  endowed  with  versatile  talents,  and 
possessed  of  extensive  information — as  a  wit,  always  prompt  in- reply,  as  an 
orator,  always  "daring  the  mercy  of  chance;"  IIowe,Jt  whose  imagination 
fascinated,  whose  repartee  overpowered,  and  whose  conversation  was  en- 
livened by  strains  of  exquisite  raillery.  Wit  and  humor,  and  music  and 
poetry,  displayed  all  their  charms  among  the  festive  deities,  and  heightened 
the  glow  of  delight.  Is  it  to  be  wondered  at  that  the  banquet  was  often  car- 
ried to  an  injurious  excess? 

Mr.  Hooper  did  not  escape  the  contagion.  He  played  his  part  among  these 
distinguished  wits,  and  shed  a  classic  lustre  over  these  refined  revels.  He 
kept,  however,  his  professional  pursuits  in  view,  advanced  himself,  and  was 
considered  eminent  in  1763.  The  cause  of  The  State  vs.  M'Gufford,  tried  in 
the  Superior  Court  of  New  Hanover  County,  seemed  first  to  establish  his 
claims  to  eminence.  It  was  a  case  of  atrocious  murder,  committed  by  a 
master  on  his  slave,  tried  before  a  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer.  In  that  cause 
he  was  counsel  for  the  defendant ;  and  he  displayed  such  extent  of  research, 
and  such  powers  of  argument,  as  excited  universal  admiration.  Maurice 
Moore  was  also  employed  in  the  same  cause,  and  displayed  great  dexterity. 
He  thought,  and  he  thought  justly,  that  nature  and  feeling  would  resume 
their  rights  in  time  to  defe'at  the  efforts  of  eloquence.  He,  therefore,  moved 
to  set  aside  the  commission  of  Oyer  and  Terminer,  and  succeeded. 

Mr.  Hooper  distinguished  himself  about  the  same  time  at  Halifax  Superior 
Court,  as  counsel  for  the  heirs  of  Governor  Dobbs,  in  a  suit  instituted  for  the 
recovery  of  a  landed  estate,  against  Abner  Nash,  who  had  married  the  widow 
of  Governor  Dobbs.  In  this  suit  he  was  opposed  by  several  advocates,  and 
among  the  rest,  by  the  defendant,  Abner  Nash. 

Such  is  the  effect  of  impressions  early  received,  that  the  name  of  Abner 
Nash  always  brings  to  my  imagination  the  inflamed  energy  of  Demosthenes, 
and  produces  some  of  that  perturbation  which  is  felt  in  reading  his  orations. 
The  eloquence  of  Nash  and  that  of  Mr.  Hooper,  must,  indeed,  have  exhibited 
a  very  fine  contrast.  Nash  was  vehemence  and  fire  ;  Mr.  Hooper  was  stately 
and  diffusive  elegance. 

Having  noted,  in  the  commencement  of  this  number,  those  particulars  which 
influence  the  progress  of  the  mind,  let  me  here  observe,  that  the  adverse  or 
the  prosperous  situation  of  communities  depends  very  much  on  the  state  of 
manners.  This  observation  will  be  illustrated  by  a  hasty  view  of  the  com- 
parative situation  of  North  and  South  Carolina  at  this  period. 

South  Carolina  was  destined  to  become  a  mine  of  wealth,  in  consequence 

*  Doctor  John  Eustace. 

t  Conieliiis  Harnett,  afterwards  member  of  Congress. 
t  Colonel  Thomas  Lloyd. 

§  William  Pennington,  Comptroller  of  the  Customs  of  the  Port  of  Wilmmgton,  and 
afterwards  Master  of  Ceremonies  at  Bath. 
II  Archibald  Maclaine. 
"f  Now  in  possession  of  his  descendants. 
**  The  Rev.  Adam  Bovd.  tt  Judge  Maurice  Moore.  tJ  <Jen.  Robt.  Howe. 


286  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

of  most  laborious  exertions  in  opening  her  swamplands  for  the  cultivation  of 
rice.     Economy  preserved  what  industry  acquired. 

On  the  contrary,  the  phanters  of  Cape  Fear,  many  of  them  holders  of  great 
possessions  in  lands  and  slaves,  scarcely  regarded  these  lands,  though  supe- 
rior undoubtedly,  to  those  of  South  Carolina,  and  producing  a  grain  larger, 
more  solid,  and  more  nutritious.  Content  to  raise  from  naval  stores  a  suffi- 
ciency to  pay  the  interest  on  continually  increasing  debts,  they  indulged 
themselves  in  habits  of  ease  and  dissipation.  The  consequence  is,  that  while 
the  fruitful  lands  of  South  Carolina  afford  an  inexhaustible  source  of  riches, 
the  fertile  soil  of  Cape  Fear  is  destined  to  remain  uncultivated,  and  to  furnish 
evidence  of  its  superior  fertility  only  in  its  baneful  effects  on  the  health  of 
the  inhabitants. 

At  this  distant  day,  it  is  impossible  to  enumerate  the  many  public  appoint- 
ments which  Mr.  Hooper  filled.  It  is  proper,  however,  to  mention,  that  he 
was  active  in  behalf  of  the  government  against  the  insurgents  denominated 
Kegulators,  who  were  defeated  at  Alamance  in  1771. 

Tryon,  the  provincial  Governor,  and  Martin,  his  successor,  and  also  Howard 
the  Chief  Justice,  distinguished  him  by  their  regard,  and  showed  a  desire  to 
conciliate  his  friendship.  In  1773,  Mr.  Hooper  represented  the  town  of  Wil- 
mington in  the  General  Assembly.  In  1774  he  represented  the  county  of 
New  Hanover  in  the  same  body.  There  he  united  himself  with  a  band  of 
patriots,  in  resisting  the  demand  of  the  British  government,  to  insert  a  clause 
into  the  bill  for  establishing  a  court  system  favoring  British  subjects,  on 
the  article  of  process  by  attachment,  to  the  prejudice  of  creditors  on  this 
side  of  the  Atlantic*  This  measure  at  once  deprived  the  province  of  courts, 
and  the  gentlemen  of  the  bar  of  their  professional  emoluments.  On  this 
occasion  Mr.  Hooper  took  the  lead  in  legislative  debate.  He  also  addressed 
the  people  of  North  Carolina  in  a  series  of  letters,  under  the  signature  of 
Hampden.  These,  it  is  said,  were  much  admired.  "What  effect  they  pro- 
duced, in  accomplishing  the  views  of  the  writer,  we  cannot,  at  this  time,  as- 
certain. The  province  remained  without  a  judiciary  until  1777,  when  it  was 
revived  under  the  new  order  of  things  ;  meanwhile  the  law  practitioners 
sacrificed  their  dependency  for  subsistence,  and  the  other  classes  suffered 
greatly. 

In  the  provincial  and  State  assemblies,  IMr.  Hooper,  on  various  occasions, 
brought  forward  high-toned  and  energetic  measures,  and  supported  them 
with  all  the  powers  of  his  persuasive  oratory.  The  patriots  most  conspicuotis 
in  opposition  to  the  arbitrary  acts  of  the  British  government,  at  that  memo- 
rable era,  were  Ashe,t  Iredell.t  Johnston, §  Moore, ||  and  Harvey,1[  all  emi- 
nent men.  Some  of  them  were  Harnett,**  Caswell, ff  Maclaine,JJ  Xash,|§ 
Burke, II II  and  Henderson.^'[  These  were  natives  of  the  province,  and  entitled 
to  great  weight  from  their  age,  their  fortune,  and  the  extent  and  respecta- 
bility of  their  connections.  From  this  band  Mr.  Hooper,  at  an  early  age, 
with  small  estate,  with  but  few  connections,  and  those  few  without  influence, 
was  selected  for  the  most  important  public  appointments,  and  that  too  at  con- 
junctures which  called  for  first-rate  talents  and  undaunted  firmness. 

*  Among  the  papers  of  the  late  Archibald  Maclaine.  of  Wilming-ton,  are  some  memo- 
randa that  !-eem  to  be  intendedasthegroundworkof  adefence  of  his(Maclaine'f;)  political 
character,  which  had  been  attacked  In  one  item  he  refers  to  hijs  conduct  "  at  the  time 
the  ministerial  instruction  came  to  alter  the  attachment  law." 

t  Samuel  Ashe,  afterwards  Governor  Ashe. 

t  James  Iredell,  afterwards  Judge  Iredell. 

§  Samuel  Jolin>ton,  attervvards  Governor  Johnston. 

II  Maurice  Moore,  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Commons,  one  of  the  judges  appoimed  by 
the  crown. 

^  John  Harvey. 

**  Cornelius  Ilarnett,  one  of  the  members  of  the  first  Congress. 

tt  Richard  Caswell,  afterwards  Governor  Caswell. 

jt  Archibald  Maclaine. 

^  Abner  Xash,  afterwards  Governor  Nash. 

nil  Thomas  Burke,  afterwards  Governor  Burke. 

•f^  liicliard  Henderson,  for  some  lime  Judge  Henderson. 


NEW  HANOVER  COUNTY.  287 

How  he  advanced  himself  so  highly  in  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the 
people  of  North  Carolina,  we  can  at  this  time  only  conjecture.  It  was  pro- 
bably owing  to  the  wider  comprehension  of  his  views,  to  the  uncommon 
fervor  of  his  zeal,  to  the  fascinating  splendor  of  his  eloquence  ;  and  above 
all,  to  the  extraordinary  activity  and  perseverance  of  his  exertions. 

In  1775  Mr.  Hooper  was  delegated  by  the  Assembly  to  Congress,  and 
continued  in  that  capacity  till  1777,  at  which  time  his  private  concerns  com- 
pelled him  to  resign.  The  proceedings  of  the  first  Congress,  having  been 
from  policy,  conducted  with  great  secrecy,  the  debates  were  not  recorded. 
When  Mr.  Hooper  first  addressed  that  illustrious  assemblage  of  compatriots, 
his  speech  occupied  about  half  an  hour ;  and  it  is  said,  upon  authority  which 
seems  to  be  too  respectable  to  be  questioned,  that  he  commanded  the  most 
profound  silence,  and  was  listened  to  with  the  most  earnest  attention.  The 
encomium  was,  however,  qualified  with  this  observation,  that  the  house  was 
seized  with  astonishment  at  the  display  of  such  powers  of  elocution  from 
Xorth  Carolina.  He  spoke,  it  is  said,  more  than  once  on  the  floor  of  the 
House,  and  always  inspired  respect  and  admiration. 

During  the  same  period  he  was  a  prominent  member  and  distinguished 
speaker  in  the  Conventions  which  sat  at  Hillsborough  and  Halifax.  At  the 
Convention  which  sat  at  the  former  place,  in  April,  177G,  he  reported 
an  address  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  British  Empire.  This  was,  without 
doubt,  the  exclusive  production  of  his  pen,  and  it  was,  at  the  time,  uni- 
versally admired.  Many  other  public  documents  emanated  from  the  same 
source. 

On  the  most  trying  occasions,  the  loftiness  and  elasticity  of  his  spirit  were 
strikingly  manifest.  Events  which  cast  a  gloom  over  the  minds  of  others, 
had  no  eifect  in  damping  his  ardor,  or  in  depressing  his  hopes.  The  disas- 
trous result  of  the  battle  of  Germantown,  which  spread  dismay  among  the 
Whigs,  seemed  to  give  fresh  courage  to  his  zeal.  When  the  report  of  the 
battle  reached  Wilmington,  he  was  among  a  party  of  patriotic  friends,  who 
were  overwhelmed  with  consternation.  He  instantly  started  from  his  chair, 
with  unusual  animation,  and  exclaimed,  "  We  have  been  disappointed  !  No 
matter !  Now  we  have  become  the  assailants,  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  the 
issue." 

Johnston  s»>metimes  endeavored  to  restrain  in  him  what  he  considered  an 
excess  of  zeal.  "  I  have,"  said  that  great  patriot  and  statesman,  "I  have 
resolved  to  stake  my  life  and  my  fortune  in  the  contest  for  libei'ty,  but  I  am 
not  without  painful  apprehensions  of  the  result.  I  am  indeed  afraid  that 
when  independence  shall  have  been  achieved,  talents  and  virtue  may  be 
thrown  into  the  shade,  and  the  mob  may  govern."  In  relating  this  anecdote 
to  me,  in  May,  1802,  Judge  Johnston  thought  that  his  prediction  was  rapidly 
fulfilling. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  Revoluticfuary  war,  Mr.  Hooper's  name  was  ex- 
tremely obnoxious  to  the  British  oSicers.  The  captain  of  a  sloop-of-war 
stationed  in  the  River  Cape  Fear,  meanly  descended  to  fire  a  house  which  he 
had  built  about  three  miles  below  Wilmington. 

On  his  return  to  private  life,  his  family  resided  at  hie  seat  at  Masonbo- 
rough  Sound,  about  eight  miles  from  Wilmington.  There  he  continued 
taking  part  as  occasion  required,  in  public  measures,  until  January,  1781. 
At  this  time  a  force  under  Major  Craig,  arrived  in  Cape  Fear  Biver.  Mr. 
Hooper  found  it  necessary  to  remove  his  family  :  and  having  no  place  to  re- 
sort to  less  dangerous,  he  removed  them  to  AVilmington,  preferring  to  trust 
them  to  the  humanity  of  an  open  enemy,  rather  than  sufler  them  to  remain 
exposed  in  a  predatory  warfare.*     He  sought  for  safety  for  himself  by  flight 

*  He  had  made  airangemonts  for  taking  refuse  in  one  of  the  French  West  India  is- 
lands in  the  event  of  the  .■success  of  the  British  arms.  Mrs.  Hooper  understood  him  that 
an  arranaement  of  this  kind  was  projected  by  all  the  members  of  Congress,  and  that  it 
was  understood  by  the  French  minister.  An  exile  such  as  this  would  have  been  less 
irksome  to  him  than  to  many  of  his  compatriots.  His  tather,  who  was  intinialely  ac- 
quainted with  French,  gave  him  a  critical  knowledge  of  that  language,  and  it  is  probable 
that  he  would  soon  have  acquired  Uuency  in  speakuig  it. 


288  HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

into  the  country.  His  family  remained  at  Wilmington  without  any  outrage 
until  October,  1781,  when  they  with  others  were  ordered  at  a  short  notice  to 
leave  the  town.  Mr.  Hooper  and  his  family  returned  to  it  immediately  after 
its  evacuation  by  the  enemy  in  November  of  the  same  year  ;  and  shortly  after- 
wards removed  to  Hillsborough,  in  Orange  County.  After  this  and  until 
about  1787,  he  continued  to  hold  a  distinguished  rank  in  the  councils  of  his 
country,  and  to  maintain  a  very  high  station  at  the  bar.  Speaking  of  him, 
the  late  Judge  Iredell  observed  that  his  latest  exertions  were  equal  to  the 
most  splendid  of  his  meridian  days. 

Meeting  with  opposition  in  his  elections  Mr.  Hooper  became  soured,*  and 
seemed  inclined  to  retire.  He  gradually  relaxed  his  exertions,  and  at  length 
withdrew  wholly  from  public  life.  His  withdrawal  excited  much  specula- 
tion. Some  ascribed  it  to  a  solicitude  for  the  interests  of  his  family,  which 
had  suffered  much  by  his  devotion  to  the  public  weal ;  and  others  attributed 
it  to  disgust  occasioned  by  some  legislative  measures  of  the  State.  It  is  pro- 
bable, however,  from  circumstances,  that  a  union  of  both  causes  influenced 
him.  The  few  years  which  he  lived  after  his  retirement,  were  spent  in  do- 
mestic enjoyment,  for  which,  indeed,  he  was  better  fitted  by  his  temper  and 
sensibilities,  than  for  public  life.  He  died  October,  1790,  in  the  forty-ninth 
year  of  his  age,  at  Hillsborough,  leaving  a  widow,  two  sons  and  a  daughter, 
all  of  whom,  except  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Watters,  of  Hillsborough,  are  deceased. 
There  survive  also  of  his  descendants  three  grandsons,  children  of  his  eldest 
son  William,  to  wit:  William,  distinguished  as  a  literary  writer,  was  Pro- 
fessor of  Languages  of  the  University,  a  Baptist  minister,  and  resides  in 
Raleigh  ;  Thomas,  a  lawyer,  and  James,  a  merchant. 

In  person  he  was  of  the  middle  size,  elegantly  formed,  delicate  rather  than 
robust.  His  countenance  was  pleasing  and  indicated  intelligence.  His 
manners  were  polite  and  engaging.  With  his  intimates  and  friends,  his 
conversation  was  frank  and  animated,  enlivened  by  a  vein  of  pleasing 
humor,  and  abounding  with  images  of  playful  irony.  It  was  sometimes 
tinctured  with  the  severity  of  sarcasm,  and  sometimes  marked  by  compre- 
hensive brevity  of  expression.!  His  i\ither,  himself  a  model  of  colloquial 
excellence,  had  cultivated  this  talent  in  his  son  with  great  assiduity. 

From  the  same  preceptor  he  learned  the  art,  rarely  attained,  of  reading 
with  elegance.  In  this  respect  the  grace  and  propriety  whicii  marked  his 
manner,  communicated,  it  is  said,  a  pleasure  even  when  he  read  cases 
from  the  law  reporters,  or  the  ordinary  documents  of  a  suit  in  court.  In 
mixed  society  he  was  apt  to  be  reserved.  Sincerity  was  a  striking  feature 
in  his  character.     He  never  practiced  disguise.     Hospitality  he  carried  to 

CXCGoS. 

In  his  domestic  relations  he  was  affectionate  and  indulgent.     Failings  he 

*  He  was  probably  soured  by  finding  himself  in  collision  with  some  of  his  compatriots 
and  best  friends.  Maclainc,  who  was  one  of  these,  became  irritated  by  the  difference  of 
opinion  between  them.  After  the  ratification  of  the  treaty  of  peace,  Maclaine  was 
anxious  to  shield  the  disafiecled  from  persecution,  and  in  tiie  pursuit  of  this  object  he 
exercised  no  address.  Mr.  Hooper,  who  no  doubt  coincided  with  him  so  far  as  respected 
the  justice  and  humanity  of  this  course,  ihoug-ht  that  great  prudence  and  circumspection 
ought  to  be  observ-ed;  and  this  prudence  and  circumspection  was  the  more  necessary  on 
his  part,  from  the  circumstance  of  all  his  connections  having  espoused  the  royal  cause. 
Aware  that  his  station  was  such  that  he  ought  to  be  above  suspicion,  he  suppressed,  on 
this  occa>ion,  the  best  and  warmest  feelings  of  his  heart,  hi  a  letter  to  a  friend,  dated 
18ih  February,  178-'),  Maclaine  adverts  to  Mr  Hooper's  conduct  in  this  respect,  and  in  the 
asperity  of  his  temper  puts  a  construction  on  it  which  in  his  cooler  moments  he  would 
have  retracted.  In  this  letter  he  speaks,  in  the  style  of  complaint,  of  the  superiority 
which  Mr.  Hooper's  education  gave  him,  of  the  deference  paid  to  him  bv  Iredell,  and  of 
the  homage  he  received  from  .lohnston,  and  adds,  "I  never  pay  him  aiiy  compliments, 
but,  on  the  contrary,  have  opposed  him."' 

t  On  his  return  iVom  the  Assembly,  which  met  for  the  purpose  Bf  carrying  into  effect 
the  State  Constitution,  many  inquiries  were  made  by  the  crowds  which  collected  around 
him,  relative  to  the  powers  confided  to  the  several  departments  of  the  government. 
Mr.  Hooper  having  satisfied  curiosity  as  to  other  particulars,  one  of  the  crowd  asked, 
"And  what  powers,  sir,  have  the  Assemljly  given  to  the  governor  ?"  "  Power,  sir,"  re- 
plied Mr.  Hooper,  "  to  sign  a  receipt  for  his  salary." 


NEW  HANOVER  COUNTY.  289 

certainly  had  ;  but  they  were  not  such  as  affected  the  morality  of  his  private, 
or  the  integrity  of  his  public  conduct. 

As  a  writer  we  cannot  fairly  graduate  his  pretensions.  The  letters  of 
Hampden,  which  would  have  furnished  the  best  criterion  for  this  purpose, 
have  perished  with  the  prints  which  contained  them. 

As  a  letter  writer  he  was,  I  think,  deficient  in  ease  and  simplicity  ;  but 
his  epistolary  compositions  must  have  been  unequaled.  Major  Craig  in- 
tercepted one  of  these,  which  impressed  him  with  such  an  exalted  opinion  of 
the  writer,  that  afterwards,  when  Mr.  Hooper,  accompanied  by  Maclaine, 
visited  Wilmington  under  the  protection  of  a  flag  of  truce,  Craig  scarcely 
noticed  the  latter,  while  to  Mr.  Hooper  he  paid  the  most  marked  and  respect- 
ful attention. 

On  all  important  occasions  he  was  called  upon  by  the  inhabitants  of  Wil- 
mington and  its  vicinity  to  exercise  his  pen.  A  very  flattering  testimony  to 
his  talents,  considering  the  number  of  eminent  men  who  then  resided  in  the 
same  part  of  the  country,  some  of  whom  had  cultivated  the  art  of  composition 
with  great  success.  Among  these  were  Maclaine,  Eustace,  Lloyd,  Penning- 
ton, and  Moore. 

In  classical  learning  and  in  literary  taste  he  had  few  superiors  ;  yet  he 
was  never  ostentatious  in  the  display  of  these  qualifications.  He  possessed  a 
talent  for  elegant  versification,  which  he  exercised  in  his  moments  of  re- 
creation. His  ode  on  the  birthday  of  AVashington,  which  circulated  only 
among  a  few  friends,  was  pronounced,  by  a  competent  judge,  superior  to 
any  which  had  been  published.*  I  have  never  been  able  to  procure  the 
manuscript. 

Among  his  friends  were  some  of  opposite  political  principles,  but  it  pro- 
duced no  change  of  regard  towards  them,  nor  did  he  iu  any  instance  depart 
from  an  inherent  benevolence,  by  becoming  the  persecutor  of  any  one  on  ac- 
count of  his  principles  or  prejudices. 

In  his  private  concerns  his  probity  and  honor  were  unimpeached.  His  es- 
tate was  moderate,  and  he  was  not  avaricious. 

His  religion  was  that  of  a  sincere  Christian,  free  from  bigotry  to  any  sect 
or  denomination. 

He  appears  to  have  been  free  from  envy.  In  a  letter  to  INIaclaine  he  de- 
scribes the  death  of  Judge  Henderson  in  a  strain  of  enthusiastic  admiration 
of  the  talents  of  that  extraordinary  man. 

After  John  Haywood,  now  Judge  Haywood,  appeared  at  the  bar,  and  be- 
fore his  faculties  were  developed,  or  perhaps  even  known  to  himself,  he  had 
to  contend  with  men  of  great  intellectual  powers  and  profound  legal  science, 
Mr.  Hooper  sustained  him  in  the  unequal  contest.  This  patronage  of  rising 
merit,  if  it  arose  from  generous  feeling,  is  worthy  of  mention  ;  and  it  is  not 
less  worthy  to  be  noted  if  it  arose  from  a  sentiment  of  friendship,  for  that 
revered  personagef  who  has  rendered  the  name  of  Haywood  dear  to  the 
people  of  North  Carolina,  whose  boundless  benevolence  pointed  him  out  as 
the  Atticus  of  his  native  State,  until  more  recent  events  presented  him  in 
the  sterner  aspect  of  Aristides  the  Just. 

His  penetration  into  character  was  obvious  in  the  choice  of  his  friends. 
He  always  selected  them  from  the  most  worthy;  and  he  experienced  in  every 
instance,  that  warm  reciprocal  attachment  which  was  due  to  the  ardor  and 
constancy  of  his  friendship. 

The  champion  of  that  illustrious  band,  which  in  North  Carolina  first  op- 
posed the  encroachments  of  arbitrary  power,  no  man  ever  entered  into  the 
public  service  on  more  correct  principles,  or  with  purer  or  more  disinterested 
motives.  AVhen  he  engaged  in  revolutionary  measures,  he  was  fully  aware 
of  the  dangers  to  wliich  he  exposed  his  person  and  estate  ;  yet  in  spite  of 
untoward  events,  his  enthusiasm  never  abated,  his  firmness  never  forsook 
him.  In  times  the  most  disastrous  he  never  desponded,  but  sustained  his 
situation  with  increased  intrepidity. J 

*  In  1789.  t  John  Haywood,  Treasurer  of  the  State. 

t  These  papers  were  written  in  1S22.  Many  of  the  persons  mentioned  as  then  living 
have  since  died. 


290  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Archibald  McLaixe  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety, 
for  Wihainpiton,  in  -whora  {jjreat  confidence  was  reposed,  and  the  autiior  of 
several  of  The  most  important  State  papers.  He  was  a  man  of  learuin<;, 
talent,  and  eloquence.     Ho  was  a  member  of  the  Congress  at  Hillsboro', 

Auj2;ust  1775.  ^ 

Ho  was  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  for  "Wilmington  District, 
in  177G.  In  tlie  Convention  at  Hillsboro',  which  met  June  1778,  to  delibe- 
rate upon  the  Federal  Constitution.  He  had  no  superior,  except  perhaps 
Davie,  Johnston,  and  Iredell. 

From  1783  to  1786,  he  represented  the  town  of  Wilmington,  in  the  House 
of  Commons. 

He  left  one  daughter,  who  married  George  Hooper  of  Wilmington.  Of  his 
birth,  family,  and  death,  we  have  no  further  information. 

TiMOTHr  Bloodworth  is  distinguished  in  the  civil  history  of  this  County. 
Of  his  birth,  education,  life,  or  death,  we  know  nothing  but  what  we  gather 
from  the  records.  He  represented  this  County  in  the  House  of  Commons, 
in  1779,  and  North  Carolina  in  the  Continental  Congress,  in  1786,  1787  ;  was 
Senator  in  the  State  Legislature  in  1788,  and  in  Congress  under  present  Con- 
stitution, 1790,  and  1791.     Senator  in  Congress  1795  to  1801. 

Edwakd  Jones,  who  represented  the  town  of  Wilmington  in  1788  to  1791, 
was  a  native  of  Lilburn,  Ireland.  He  was  brother  to  the  celebrated  William 
Todd  Jones,  the  Irish  patriot.  He  was  bred  a  merchant,  and  early  emigrated 
to  the  United  States,  and  carried  on  trade  in  Philadelphia.  In  1786,  he  came 
to  Wilmington,  and  commenced  merchandise  ;  but  failed.  He  then  turned 
his  attention  to  the  study  of  the  law,  and  soon  rose  to  distinction.  His  benevo- 
lent temper,  generous  sentiments,  and  commanding  talents,  won  for  him  the 
esteem  of  all.  In  1788,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons, 
and  in  which  capacity  he  served  continuously  until  1791,  when  he  was 
elected  Solicitor-General  of  the  State.  He  died  in  Pittsboro',  on  the  8th  of 
August,  1842.     He  was  the  friend  and  patron  of 

Johnson  Blakelt,  late  Captain  in  the  United  States  Navy, 
In  the  year  of  1783,  the  father  of  Elakely,  with  his  wife  and  two  young 
children,  sailed  from  Ireland,  and  landed  at  Charleston.  One  of  these  chil- 
dren was  Johnson  Blakely,  who  was  born  at  Leaford,  in  the  county  of  Down, 
in  Ireland,  in  October  1781.  The  next  year  after  his  arrival,  his  father  moved 
to  Wilmington,  where  in  a  short  time  he  died.  With  that  instinctive  gene- 
rosity peculiar  to  the  Irish  character.  Col.  Jones  took  charge  of  the  youth, 
and  directed  his  education.     By  him  he  was  sent  to  the  University. 

On  the  5th  of  February,  1800,  he  was  appointed  a  Midshipman  in  the 
United  States  Navy,  and  went  with  Commodore  Preble  to  the  Mediterranean, 
and  by  his  courage,  exemplary  conduct,  and  assiduity,  won  the  esteem  of  his 
officers  and  associates.  He  soon  was  promoted.  Early  in  1814,  he  sailed 
from  Portsmouth,  New  Hampshire,  in  command  of  the  U.  S.  ship  of  war  the 
Wasp  ;  in  June  of  that  year  he  appeared  oil'  the  English  coast ;  he  fell  in  with 
his  Majesty's  sloop-of-war,  the  Reindeer,  of  eighteen  guns,  commanded  by 
Captain  Manners.  A  sharp  action  ensued,  in  which  the  Reindeer  surrendered, 
her  Captain  being  killed,  and  also  her  First  Lieutenant,  and  many  of  the 
crew.  The  skill  with  which  Captain  Blakely  worked  his  ship,  the  gallantry 
of  hi8_  conduct,  and  his  brilliant  success,  proves  his  value  as  a  sailor.  The 
following  is  the  official  dispatch : — 

Copy  of  a  letter  from  Captain  Blakely,  to  the  Secretary  of  tlie 
Navy,  dated 

U.  S.  Sloop  Wasp,  L'Orient,  July  8,  1814. 

SiR--0n  Tuesday  the  28th  ult.,  being  then  in  latitude  forty-eight  degrees 
and  thirty-six  minutes  N.,  and  longitude  eleven  degrees  and  fifteen  minutes 


NEW  HANOVER  COUNTY.  291 

W.,  we  fell  in  ■with,  engaged,  and  after  an  action  of  nineteen  minutes,  cap- 
tured his  Britannic  Majesty's  Sloop-of-War,  the  Reindeer,  AVilliam  Manners, 
Esq.,  Commander.  Annexed  are  the  minutes  of  our  proceedings  prior  to, 
and  during  the  continuance  of  the  action.  Wliere  all  did  their  duty,  and 
each  appeared  anxious  to  excel,  it  is  very  difficult  to  discriminate. 

It  is,  however,  only  rendering  them  their  merited  due,  when  it  is  declared 
of  Lieutenants  Reilly  and  Bury,  first  and  third  of  this  vessel,  and  whose 
names  will  be  among  those  of  the  conquerors  of  the  Guerriere  and  Java;  and 
of  Mr.  Tillinghast,  Second  Lieutenant,  who  was  greatly  instrumental  in  the 
capture  of  the  Boxer,  that  their  conduct  and  courage  on  this  occasion  fulfilled 
the  highest  expectations,  and  gratified  every  wish.  Sailing  Master  Carr,  ia 
also  entitled  to  great  credit  for  the  zeal  and  ability  with  which  he  discharged 
his  various  duties.  The  cool  and  patient  conduct  of  every  officer  and  man, 
while  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  shifting  guns  of  the  enemy,  and  without  an 
opportunity  of  returning  it,  could  only  be  equalled  by  the  animation  and 
ardor  exhibited,  when  actually  engaged,  or  by  the  promptitude  and  firmness 
with  which  every  attempt  of  the  enemy  to  board  was  met  and  successfully 
repelled.     Such  conduct  may  be  seen,  but  cannot  well  be  described. 

The  Reindeer  mounted  sixteen  twenty-four  pound  carronades ;  two  long 
six  or  nine  pounders,  and  a  shifting  twelve  pound  carronade,  with  a  comple- 
ment on  board  of  one  hundred  and  eighteen  men.  Her  crew  were  said  to 
be  the  pride  of  Plymouth.  Our  loss  in  men  has  been  severe,  owing  in  part 
to  the  proximity  of  the  two  vessels,  and  the  extreme  smoothness  of  sea ;  but 
chiefly  in  repelling  boarders.  That  of  the  enemy,  however,  was  infinitely 
more  so,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  list  of  killed  and  wounded  on  both  sides. 
Six  round  shot  struck  our  hull,  and  many  grape  which  did  not  penetrate  far. 
The  foremast  received  a  twenty-four  pound  shot,  which  passed  through  its 
centre,  and  our  rigging  and  sails  were  a  good  deal  injured.  The  Reindeer 
was  literally  cut  to  pieces  in  a  line  with  her  ports ;  her  upper  works,  boats,  and 
spare  spars  were  one  complete  wreck.  A  breeze  springing  up  next  afternoon, 
her  foremast  went  by  the  board.  Having  received  all  the  prisoners  on  board, 
which,  from  the  number  of  wounded,  occupied  much  time,  together  with  their 
baggage,  the  Reindeer  was  on  the  evening  of  the  29th,  set  on  fire,  and  in  a 
few  hours  blew  up. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

J.  BLAKELY. 

Hon.  William  Jones,  &c. 

The  prize  was  burnt  for  fear  of  recapture,  and  Captain  Blakely  repaired 
to  L'Orient,  in  France,  to  recruit  his  men  and  refit  his  ship. 

He  sailed  in  August  on  another  cruise,  and  in  a  few  days  fell  in  with  his 
Britannic  Majesty's  ship  the  Avon,  commanded  by  Captain  Arbuthnot.  Af- 
ter a  severe  action  she  struck  to  Blakely.  He  was  prevented  from  taking 
possession  of  the  prize  by  the  appearance  of  several  heavy  English  men-of- 
war.  From  the  1st  to  the  15th  of  August  Blakely  met  and  took  fifteen  ships 
of  the  English.  In  one  of  these,  the  brig  Atlanta,  he  placed  Midshipman 
Geizenger  as  prize  master,  with  dispatches  to  the  United  States,  who  arrived 
safe  at  Savannah  on  the  4th  of  November,  1814. 

This  is  the  last  authentic  intelligence  that  was  ever  received  from  the  gal- 
lant Blakely.  .From  some  heavy  firing  oS"  the  Charleston  bar  about  the 
time  he  was  to  have  come  home,  a  naval  battle  occurred  at  night,  and  an 
American  ship  w^as  sunk.  This  may  have  been  the  brave  Blakely  and  his 
devoted  crew,  or  he  may  have  foundered  at  sea.  Thus  perished,  at  the  early 
age  of  33,  this  meritorious  officer.  His  brilliant  success,  his  chivalric  daring 
and  generous  character,  and  mournful  fate,  have  thrown  a  halo  of  interest 
around  his  name. 

Captain  Blakely  was  married  (Dec,  1813)  to  Jane,  daughter  of  his  father's 
old  friend,  Mr.  Hooper,  of  New  York,  and  left  one  daughter,  Udney.  On 
the  27th  December,  1816,  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina  resolved,  unani- 
mously, that  the  child  should  be  educated  at  the  expense  of  the  State.     This 


292  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

act  was  worthy  of  the  State.     She  was  married  a  few  years  after  to  a  gentle- 
man who  resided  in  the  AVest  Indies,  and  there  died. 

The  last  official  paper  received  from  Captain  Blakely : — 

Copy  of  a  letter  frovi  Captain  Blakely  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Xavy,  dated  United 
States  Sloop-ofWar  Wasp,  at  Sea,  latitude  4G  degrees  north,  longitude  16 
degrees  west,  lUh  September,  1814. 

Sir — After  a  protracted  and  tedious  stay  at  L'Orient,  had  at  last  the  plea- 
sure of  leaving  that  place  on  Saturday,  27th  of  August.     On  the  30th,  cap- 
tured the  British  brig  Lettice,  Henry  Cockbain,  master;  and  on  the  31st  of 
August  the  British  brig  Bon  Accord,  Adam  Durno,  master.     In  the  morning 
of  the  1st  of  September  discovered  a  convoy  of  ten  sail  to  leeward,  in  charge 
of  the  Armada,  74,  and  a  bomb  ship ;  stood  for  them,  and  succeeded  in  cut- 
tin"'  out  the  British  brig  Mary,  John  D.  Allan,  master,  laden  with  brass  can- 
non, taken  from  the  Spaniards,  iron  cannon,  and  military  stores,  from  Gibral- 
tar to  England ;  removed  the  prisoners,  set  her  on  fire,  and  endeavored  to 
capture  another  of  the  convoy,  but  was  chased  off  by  the  Armada.    On  the 
evening  of  the  same  day,  at  half-past  six,  while  going  free,  discovered  four 
vessels  nearly  at  the  same  time,  two  on  the  starboard  and  two  on  the  larboard 
bow,  being  the  farthest  to  windward.     At  seven,  the  chase,  a  brig,  com- 
menced making  signals  with  flags,  which  could  not  be  distinguished  for  want 
of  light,  and  soon  after  made  various  ones,  with  lanterns,  rockets,  and  guns. 
At  twenty-nine  minutes  after  nine,  having  the  chase  under  our  lee  bow,  the 
twelve-pound  carronade  was  directed  to  be  fired  into  him,  which  he  returned  ; 
ran  under  his  lee  bow  to  prevent  his  escaping,  and  commenced  the  action. 
At  ten  o'clock,  believing  the  enemy  to  be  silenced,  orders  were  given  to  cease 
firing,  when  I  hailed,  and  asked  if  he  had  surrendered.     No  answer  being 
given  to  this,  and  his  fire  having  recommenced,  it  was   again  returned.     At 
twelve  minutes  after  ten,  the  enemy  having  suffered  greatly,  and  having 
made  no  return  to  our  two  last  broadsides,  I  hailed  him  the  second  time  to 
know  if  he  had  surrendered,   when  he  answered  in  the  affirmative.     The 
guns  were  then  ordered  to  be  secured,  and  the  boat  lowered,  to  take  posses- 
sion.    In  the  act  of  lowering  the  boat,  a  second  brig  was  discovered  a  little 
distance  astern,  and  standing  for  us.     Sent  the  crew  to  their  quarters,  pre- 
pared everything  for  another  action,  and  awaited  his  coming  up.     At  thirty- 
six  minutes  after  ten,  discovered  two  more  sails  astern,  standing  towards  us. 
I  now  felt  myself  compelled  to  forego  the  satisfaction  of  destroying  the  prize. 
Our  braces  having  been  cut  away,  we  kept  off  the  wind  until  others  could  be 
rove,  and  with  the  expectation  of  drawing  the  second  brig  from   his  com- 
panions ;  but  in  this  last  we  were  disappointed.     The  second  brig  continued 
to  approach  us  until  she  came  close  to  our  stern,  when  she  hauled  by  the 
wind,  fired  her  broadside,  which  cut  our  rigging  and  sails  considerably,  and 
fihot  away  a  lower  main  cross-tree,  and  retraced  her  steps  to  join  her  con- 
sorts, when  we  were  necessitated  to  abandon  the  pjrize.     He  appeared  in 
every  respect  a  total  wreck.     He  continued  for  some  time  firing  guns  of  dis- 
tress, until  probably  delivered  by  the  two  last  vessels  who  made  their  appear- 
ance.    The  second  brig  could  have  engaged  us  if  he  thought  proper,  as  he 
neared  us  fast,  but  contented  himself  with  firing  a  broadside,  and  immediately 
returned  to  his  companions. 

It  is  with  great  satisfaction  I  have  again  the  pleasure  of  bearing  testimony 
to  the  merits  of  Lieutenants  Reilly,  Tillinghast,  Maury,  and  Sailing-master 
Carr,  and  to  the  good  conduct  of  every  officer  and  man  on  board  of  the  Wasp. 
Their  divisions  and  departments  were  attended  and  supplied  with  the  utmost 
regularity  and  abundance,  which,  with  the  good  order  maintained,  together 
with  the  vivacity  and  precision  of  their  fire,  reflects  on  them  the  greatest 
credit.  Our  loss  is  two  killed,  and  one  slightly  wounded  with  a  wad.  The 
hull  received  four  round  shot,  and  the  foremast  many  grape  shot.  Our 
rigging  and  sails  suffered  a  great  deal.  Every  damage  has  been  repaired  the 
day  after,  with  the  exception  of  our  sails.  Of  the  vessel  with  which  we  were 
engaged,  nothing  positive   can  be  said  with  regard  to  her  name  or  force. 


NEW  HANOVER  COUNTY. 


293 


While  hailing  him  previous  to  his  being  fired  into,  it  was  blowing  fresh  (then 
going  ten  knots),  and  the  name  was  not  distinctly  understood.*  Of  her  force, 
the  four  shot  which  struck  us,  are  all  thirty-two  pounds  in  weight,  being  a 
pound  and  three-quarters  heavier  than  any  belonging  to  this  vessel.  From 
this  circumstance,  the  number  of  men  in  her  tops,  her  general  appearance, 
and  great  length,  she  is  believed  to  be  one  of  the  largest  ships  in  the  British 
navy.         I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

J.  BLAKELY. 
Hon.  W.  Jones,  &c. 

P.  S. — I  am  told  the  enemy,  after  his  surrender,  asked  for  assistance,  and 
said  he  was  sinking.  The  probability  of  this  is  confirmed  by  his  firing  sin- 
gle guns  for  some  time  after  his  capture. 

Joshua  Granger  Wright  was  a  native  of  New  Hanover,  and  a  member  of 
the  House  of  Commons  from  1791  to  1808,  and  Speaker  of  the  House. 

He  was  elected  a  Judge  in  1808,  of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  and  Equity, 
in  which  capacity  he  served  faithfully  the  State,  until  his  death  in  June, 
1811. 

Owen  Holmes,  of  this  County,  was  a  distinguished  lawyer  and  statesman. 

He  was  Elector  of  the  State  in  1836,  and  cast  his  vote  for  Martin  Van 
Buren  as  President,  and  Richard  M.  Johnson  as  Vice-President. 

He  was  elected  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  in  this  State,  by  the 
General  Assembly,  in  1836,  but  he  declined  accepting. 

He  died  at  Wilmington,  6th  of  June,  1841,  of  apoplexy,  in  his  forty-fifth 
year.f 

Hon.  Edward  B.  Dudley  was  the  last  representative  from  the  Borough  of 
Wilmington  (1834),  and  the  first  Governor  of  the  State  elected  by  the  people 
in  1836. 

He  was  born  in  Onslow  ;  son  of  a  wealthy  planter ;  entered  public  life  in 
1816,  as  a  member  from  the  Town  of  AVilmington,  and  was  re-elected  in 
1817. 

In  1829,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  after  serving  one  Con- 
gress, declined  a  re-election. 

In  1836,  he  was  elected  by  the  people  Governor  of  the  State,  the  first  Go- 
vernor ever  elected  by  the  people  of  North  Carolina. 

He  was  succeeded  in  1841,  by  Hon.  John  M.  Morehead. 

He  was  the  first  President  of  the  Raleigh  and  Wilmington  Railroad,  to  the 
stock  of  which  he  subscribed  twenty-five  thousand  dollars. 

Hon.  William  S.  Ashe  is  a  native  of  Wilmington.  He  is  a  son  of  Colonel 
Samuel  Ashe,  and  the  grandson  of  Governor  Samuel  Ashe.  By  profession  a 
lawyer.  Entered  public  life  as  Senator  in  the  General  Assembly,  in  1846, 
and  was  re-elected  in  1848. 

In  1849,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  to  which  distinguished  post 
he  was  again  re-elected  in  1851  without  opposition. 

Members  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  Wilmington,  from  1774 
to  1836. 


Years. 

House  of  Commons. 

Years. 

House  of  Commons 

1774. 

Francis  Clayton. 

1779. 

Wm.  Hooper. 

1775. 

Cornelius  Harnett. 

1780. 

Wm.  Hooper. 

1776. 

William  Hooper. 

1781. 

Wm.  Hooper. 

1778. 

William  Hooper. 

1782. 

Wm.  Hooper. 

*  This  vessel  proved  to  be  the  British  Sloop-of-War  Avon. 
f  American  Aluiauac  tor  1841,  page  291. 


294 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years. 


House  of  Commons. 


1783. 

Arcji'd  McLean. 

1809 

1784. 

Arch'd  McLean. 

1810 

1785. 

Arcli'd  !McLoan. 

1811 

1786. 

Arch'd  McLean. 

1812 

1787. 

Joshua  Potts. 

1813 

1788. 

Edward  Jones. 

1814. 

1789. 

Edward  Jones. 

1815 

1790. 

Edward  Jones. 

1816 

1791. 

Edward  Jones. 

1817 

1792. 

Joshua  G.  Wright. 

1S18 

1793. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1819 

1794. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1820 

1795. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1821 

1796. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1822 

1797. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1823 

1798. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1824 

1799. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1825 

1801. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1826 

1802. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1827 

1803. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1828 

1804. 

J.  G.  W^right. 

1830 

1805. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1831 

1806. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1832 

1807. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1833 

1808. 

J.  G.  Wright. 

1834 

Years, 


House  of  Common?. 
J.  G.  Wright. 
Wm.  W.  Jones. 
W^m.  W.  Jones. 
Wm.  W.  Jones. 
Wm.  W.  Jones. 
Wm.  W.  Jones, 
Wm.  W.  Jones. 
Edward  B.  Dudley. 
Edward  B.  Dudley. 
Wm.  B.  Meares. 
John  D.  Jones. 
John  D.  Jones. 
John  D.  Jones. 
John  D.  Jones. 
M.  W.  Campbell. 
Robert  II.  Cowan. 
Robert  H.  Cowan. 
Joseph  A.  Hill. 
Joseph  A.  Hill. 
John  Walker. 
Joseph  A.  Hill. 
Daniel  Sherwood. 
Daniel  Sherwood. 
John  D.  Jones. 
Edward  B.  Dudley. 

The  Convention  of  1835  abolished  the  Borough  representation. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  New  Hanover  County. 

House  of  Commons. 
Alexander  Lillington,  Samuel  Swann. 
John  Devane,  Timothy  Bloodworth. 
John  A.  Campbell,  Timothy  Bloodworth. 
John  A.  Campbell,  Timothy  Bloodworth. 
Thomas  Bloodworth,  Caleb  Granger. 
Timothy  Bloodworth,  Jas.  Bloodworth. 
Timothy  Bloodworth,  Jas.  Bloodworth, 
Timothy  Bloodworth,  Jas.  Bloodworth, 
Jas.  Bloodworth,  John  Pugh  Williams. 
Jas.  Bloodworth,  John  Pugh  AVilliams. 
Thomas  Devane,  Jr.,  Timothy  Bloodworth. 
John  Pugh  Williams,  Thomas  Devane. 
John  A.  Campbell,  John  Pugh  Williams. 
John  G.  Scull,  Timothy  Bloodworth. 
Thomas  Devane,  George  Moore. 
Timothy  Bloodworth,  James  Larkins. 
Timothy  Bloodworth,  James  Larkins. 
David  Jones,  John  Gambier  Scull. 
Samuel  Ashe,  Alexander  D.  Moore, 
Samuel  Ashe,  Alex.  D.  Moore. 
Alex.  D.  Moore,  James  Larkins. 
Thomas  Hill,  Samuel  Ashe. 
Alex.  D.  Moore,  Samuel  Ashe. 
Timothy  Bloodworth,  Richard  Nixon. 
Richard  Nixon,  James  Larkins. 
James  Foy,  Franklin  T.  Bloodworth, 
Jas.  Foy,  F.  T.  Bloodworth. 
Richard  Nixon,  F.  T.  Bloodworth. 
Richard  Nixon,  Roger  Moore. 
Wm.  W.  Jones,  Hinton  James. 


Years.  Senate. 

1777.  John  Ashe, 

1778.  John  Ashe, 

1779.  John  Devane, 

1780.  John  Devane, 

1781.  John  Devane, 

1782.  Caleb  Granger, 

1783.  John  A.  Campbell, 

1784.  John  A.  Campbell, 

1785.  John  A.  Campljell, 

1786.  John  A.  Campbell, 

1787.  John  A.  Campbell, 

1788.  Timothy  Bloodworth, 

1789.  Timothy  Bloodworth, 

1791.  John  A.  Campbell, 

1792.  John  A.  Campbell, 

1793.  John  A.  Campbell, 

1794.  William  H.  Hill, 

1795.  Jas.  Bloodworth, 

1796.  Jas.  Bloodworth, 

1797.  John  Hill, 

1798.  John  Hill, 

1799.  John  Hill, 

1800.  John  Hill, 

1801.  Samuel  Asho, 

1802.  Samuel  Ashe, 

1803.  Samuel  Ashe, 

1804.  John  Bloodworth, 

1805.  John  Hill, 

1806.  Samuel  Ashe, 

1807.  Samuel  Ashe, 


NORTHAMPTON  COUNTY. 


295 


Years.  Senate. 

1808.  F.  T.  Bloodworth, 

1809.  F.  T.  Bloodworth, 

1810.  Thomas  Devane, 

1811.  William  Hill, 

1812.  David  Jones, 

1813.  David  Jones, 

1814.  David  Jones, 

1815.  James  Larkins, 

1816.  Richard  Nixon, 

1817.  Samuel  Ashe, 

1818.  M.  W.  Campbell, 

1819.  George  Fennell, 

1820.  George  Fennell, 

1821.  M.  W.  Campbell, 

1822.  Thomas  Devane, 

1823.  Thomas  Devane, 

1824.  Thomas  Devane, 

1825.  Thomas  Devane, 

1826.  Thomas  Devane, 

1827.  Thomas  Devane, 

1828.  \Vm.  B.  Meares, 

1829.  Wm.  B.  Meares, 

1830.  Wm.  B.  Meares, 

1831.  M.  W.  Campbell, 

1832.  Jos.  II.  Lamb, 

1833.  Wm.  B.  Meares, 

1834.  Owen  Holmes, 

1835.  L.  H.  Marsteller, 

1836.  Louis  11.  Marsteller, 
1838.  Charles  Henry, 
1840.  Wm.  S.  Larkins, 
1842.  Wm.  S.  Larkins, 
1844.  Owen  Holmes, 
1846.  Wm.  S.  Ashe, 
1848.  Wm.  S.  Ashe, 
1850.  N.  N.  Nixon, 


House  of  Commons. 
Wm.  W.  Jones,  Hinton  James. 
Ilinton  James,  David  Jones. 
David  Jones,  Joseph  Lamb. 
Joseph  Lamb,  John  D.  Jones. 
Joseph  Lamb,  George  Fennell. 
Geo.  Fennell,  Joseph  Parrish. 
Joel  Parrish,  Geo.  Fennell. 
Geo.  Fennell,  Joel  Parrish. 
Owen  Fillyaw,  Joel  Parrish. 
Joseph  Lamb,  Ed.  St.  George. 
Joseph  Lamb,  John  Bunting. 
Jos.  Lamb,  John  Bunting. 
John  Walker,  Abel  Morgan. 
Abel  Morgan,  Eli  L.  Larkins. 
Joseph  Lamb,  S.  Sidbury. 
Stokely  Sidbury,  Jos.  A.  Hill. 
Jos.  A.  Hill,  Jos.  Lamb. 
Jos.  Lamb,  Wm.  Watts  Jones. 
John  Kerr,  Wm.  Watts  Jones. 
John  Kerr,  Wm.  Watts  Jones. 
John  Kerr,  Wm.  S.  Larkins. 
Wm.  S.  Larkins,  Patrick  Murphey. 
Wm.  S.  Larkins,  Thomas  Hill, 
Wm.  S.  Larkins,  Wm.  J.  Wright. 
Thomas  Hill,  Louis  II.  Marsteller. 
L.  II.  Marsteller,  Stephen  Register. 
L.  II.  Marsteller,  Stephen  Register. 
Charles  Henry,  John  R.  AYalker. 
John  R.  Walker,  Charles  Henry. 
Jas.  T.  Miller,  Evans  Larkins. 
Jas.  T.  Miller,  James  Kerr. 
Jeremiah  Nixon,  David  Mclntire. 
Jeremiah  Nixon,  David  Mclntire. 
Edward  Hi},ll,  Thomas  II.  Williams. 
Thomas  H.  Williams,'  N.  N.  Nixon. 
Wm.  Hill,  J.  D.  Powers. 


CHAPTER   LVI, 


NORTHAMPTON  COUNTY. 


Northampton  County  was  formed  in  1741,  from  Bertie;  but 
history  and  tradition  are  alike  silent  as  to  the  origin  of  its  name. 
Martin,  in  his  History,  merely  states  that  the  Legislature  met  "  at 
Wilmington,  in  the  latter  part  of  1741,  and  the  session  was  of  short 
duration;  the  county  of  Bertie  Avas  divided,  and  the  upper  part  of 
it  established  as  a  new  county,  to  which  the  name  of  Northampton 
was  given."* 

It  is  situated  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  State ;  and  bounded 


28 


Martin's  History  of  North  Carolina,  ii.  3G. 


296 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


on  the  north  by  the  Virginia  line,  east  by  Hertford,  south  by  Bertie 
County,  and  west  by  the  Roanoke  River,  which  separates  it  from 
Hahfax. 

Its  capital  is  Jackson,  and  preserves  the  name  of  Andrew  Jackson^ 
the  hero  of  New  Orleans,  and  sixth  President  of  the  United  States. 

Its  population  is  5,994  whites  ;  830  free  negroes  ;  6,511  slaves ;  10,730  re- 
presentative population. 

Its  products  (annual)  are  5,210,724  lbs.  cotton;  716,050  busbels  corn; 
66,064  lbs.  toliacco  ;  78,650  bushels  oats ;  20,308  bushels  wheat ;  3,125  bushels 
rye;  5,970  lbs.  wool;  2,000  barrels  turpentine. 

To  the  Convention  at  Newbern,  Aug.  25th,  1774,  she  sent  Allen  Jones. 

To  the  Convention  at  same  place,  April  3d,  1775,  her  delegates  were  Allen 
Jones  and  Jeptiia  Atherton. 

To  the  Convention  atHillsboro',  Aug.  21st,  1775,  her  delegates  were  the  above 
and  Howell  Edmunds,  Drewry  Gee,  and  Samuel  Lockhart. 

The  delegates  to  Halifax,  April  4th,  1776,  were  Allen  Jones,  Jeptha 
Atherton,  Eaton  Haynes,  Drewry  Gee,  Samuel  Lockhart,  and  -Howell 
Edmunds. 

Her  delegates  to  Halifax,  Nov.  12th,  1776  (to  form  the  Constitution),  were 
Allen  Jones,  Jeptha  Atherton,  James  Ingram,*  Howell  Edmunds,  and 
Egbert  Peebles. 

Of  her  Regiment  in  1776,  William  Eaton  was  Colonel,  Jeptha  Atherton 
Lieutenant-Colonel,  Howell  Edmunds  Major,  Drewry  Gee  2d  Major. 

Allen  Jones  was  chosen  Brigadier-General  of  the  Halifax  District  in  this 
year.  He  was  a  brother  of  Wilie  Jones,  of  Halifax,  and,  like  him,  devoted 
to  the  cause  of  the  country. 

Of  his  military  services,  birth,  life,  or  character,  we  have  but  little  informa- 
tion. We  trust  that  the  services  of  so  useful  and  public  spirited  a  citizen 
will  be  collected  and  presented  to  the  country. 

General  Jones  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  1779, 
and  served  until  1780. 

He  appeared  as  Senator  in  1787,  in  the  General  Assembly. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  that  met  at  Hillsboro',  in  1788,  which 
rejected  the  United  States  Constitution,  and  while  his  brother  was  its  strenu- 
ous opponent,  he  was  with  Davie,  Johnston,  and  Iredell,  its  steady  advocate. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Northampton  County 
from  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  to  last  session : — 


Years.  Senate. 

1777.  James  Vaughan, 

1778.  James  Vaughan, 

1779.  James  Vaughan, 

1780.  James  Vaughan, 

1781.  James  A^aughan, 

1782.  Samuel  Lockhart, 

1783.  Samuel  Lockhart, 

1784.  Allen  Jones, 

1785.  Allen  Jones, 

1786.  Allen  Jones, 

1787.  Allen  Jones, 

1788.  John  M.  Benford, 

1789.  John  M.  Benfoi-d, 

1791.  John  M.  Bonford, 

1792.  John  M.  Benford, 

1793.  John  M.  Benford, 

1794.  John  M.  Benford, 


House  of  Commons. 

Robert  Peoples,  Jeptha  Atherton. 
Robert  Peoples,  Joseph  Bryan. 
Roljert  Peoples,  Joseph  Bryan. 
Robert  Peoples,  John  Dawson. 
John  Dawson,  Jas.  Sikes. 
John  Dawson,  Jas.  Sikes. 
James  Vaughan,  Drury  Gee. 
James  Vaughan,  Wm.  R.  Davie. 
Howell  P^dmunds,  Augustin  Wood. 
James  Vaughan,  Nehemiah  Long. 
Robert  Peebles,  John  Vaughan. 
John  Knox,  Robert  Peebles. 
Samuel  Peete,  Halcott  Briggs  Pride. 
William  Amis,  Samuel  Tarver. 
William  Amis,  Nicholas  Edmunds. 
William  Amis,  Nicholas  Edmunds. 
Benjamin  Williamson,  Nicholas  Edmunds. 


*  James  Ingram  was  Lieutenant-Colonelof  the  8th  Regiment  of  the  Continental  Array. 


NORTHAMPTON  COUNTY. 


297 


Years.  Senate. 

1795.  John  M.  Benford, 

1796.  John  M.  Benford, 

1797.  John  M.  Benford, 

1798.  John  M.  Benford, 

1799.  John  M.  Benford, 

1800.  John  M.  Benford, 

1801.  John  M.  Benford, 

1802.  John  M.  Benford, 

1803.  Henry  Cotton, 

1804.  Richard  W.  Freear, 

1805.  John  M.  Benford, 

1806.  John  M.  Benford, 

1807.  John  M.  Benford, 

1808.  Wm.  Edmunds, 

1809.  Wm.  Edmunds, 

1810.  Wm.  Edmunds, 

1811.  Wm.  Edmunds, 

1812.  Wm.  Edmunds, 

1813.  Francis  Daucy, 

1814.  Howell  Peebles, 

1815.  Howell  Peebles, 

1816.  Howell  Peebles, 

1817.  Cornelius  Moore, 

1818.  Henry  Boon, 

1819.  Henry  Boon, 

1820.  Henry  Boon, 

1821.  John  Peebles, 

1822.  John  Peebles, 

1823.  John  Peebles, 

1824.  John  Peebles, 

1825.  John  Peebles, 

'  1826.    Esum  Holliman, 

1827.  Exum  Holliman, 

1828.  John  II.  Patterson, 

1829.  Collin  W.  Barnes, 

1830.  Collin  W.  Barnes, 

1831.  James  T.  Hayley, 

1832.  Herod  Faison, 

1833.  Herod  Faison, 

1834.  Wm.  B.  Lockhart, 

1835.  William  Moody, 

1836.  William  Moody, 
1838.     William  Moody, 
1840.     Herod  Faison, 
1842.    Jos.  M.  S.  Rogers, 
1844.    John  M.  Moody, 
1846.     John  M.  Moody, 
1848.    Jos.  M.  S.  Rodgers, 
1850.    Jos.  M.  S.  Rodgers, 


House  of  Commons. 
Beniamin  AVilliamson,  Henry  Gotten. 
Benjamin  Williamson,  Henry  K.  Peterson. 
Beniamin  Williamson,  William  Edmunds. 
Wiliiam  Edmunds,  James  Benford. 
Henry  Cotten,  James  Long. 
Howell  Peebles,  Henry  Cotten. 
Henry  Cotten,  Howell  Peebles. 
Henry  Cotten,  William  Edmunds. 
Peter  Woodlief,  William  Edmunds. 
Green  Turner,  William  Edmunds. 
Green  Turner,  Samuel  Tarver. 
William  Edmunds,  John  Peebles. 
Charles  Harrison,  Francis  A.  Bynum. 
Charles  Harrison,  Francis  A.  Bynum. 
Green  Turner,  Andrew  Jones. 
Andrew  Jones,  John  Peebles. 
Peter  Woodlief,  Cornelius  Moore. 
Peter  Woodlief,  Cornelius  Moore. 
Henry  Boon,  Richard  Freear. 

Henry  Boon, Jenkins. 

John  R.  Moore,  Henry  Boon. 
Henry  Boon,  John  R.  Moore. 
Henry  Boon,  William  Moody. 
Henry  Abingdon,  B.  C.  Smith. 
W.  Sandiford,  A.  Deberry. 
Allen  Deberry,  T.  Barrow. 
Roderick  B.  Gary,  Thomas  Peete. 
L.  P.  Williamson,  R.  B.  Gary. 
R.  B.  Gary,  L,  P.  Williamson. 
R.  B.  Gary,  Thomas  Bynum. 
Thomas  Bynum,  Roderick  B.  Gary. 
R.  B.  Gary,  J.  H.  Patterson. 
R.  B.  Gary,  J.  II.  Patterson. 
R.  B.  Gary,  Jos.  M.  S.  Rogers. 
Jas.  T.  Hayley,  R^  B.  Gary. 
R.  B.  Gary,  James  T.  Hayley. 
Richard  Crump,  John  M.  Moody. 
R.  B.  Gary,  Allen  Pierce. 
Allen  Pierce,  Samuel  Calvert. 
A.  B.  Smith,  Wm.  E.  Crump. 
Wm.  E.  Crump,  R.  B.  Gary. 
R.  B.  Gary,  Herod  Faison. 
Junius  Amis,  II.  Faison. 
Samuel  B.  Spruill,  Edmund  Jacobs. 
John  B.  Odom,  Thomas  Bragg,  Jr. 
John  B.  Odem,  David  A.  Barnes. 
E.  J.  Peebles,  David  A.  Barnes. 
T.  J.  Person,  E.  J.  Peebles. 
T.  J.  Person,  David  A.  Barnes. 


298  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER  LVII. 


ONSLOW  COUNTY. 


Onslow  County  was  formed  in  1734,  from  New  Hanover 
County,  and  named  in  honor  of  Arthur  Onslow,  then  the  Speaker 
of  the'^British  House  of  Commons.* 

Onslow  is  situated  in  the  extreme  eastern  part  of  the  State,  and 
is  bounded  on  the  north  and  east  by  Jones,  east  by  Carteret,  south 
by  Core  Sound  and  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  west  by  New  Hanover 
and  Duplin. 

Its  court  house  is  one  hundred  and  forty-five  miles  south-east 
from  Raleigh. 

Its  population  in  1850,  vras  5,005  whites;  170  free  negroes;  3,108  slaves; 
7,039  representative  population. 

Its  products  in  1840,  were  47,281  barrels  of  turpentine ;  3,200  bushels  of 
salt;  228,759  bushels  of  corn;  8,126  bushels  of  oats;  2,117  bushels  of  wheat; 
218,104  pounds  of  cotton  ;  6,981  pounds  of  wool. 

To  the  General  Meeting  of  the  Deputies,  held  at  Newborn,  on  the  25th  of 
August,  1774,  Onslow  sent  as  their  delegate  William  Crat. 

To  the  same  place,  3d  of  April,  1775,  she  sent  Edward  Starket,  Henry 
Rhodes,  and  William  Cray. 

To  Ilillsboro',  21st  of  August,  1775,  she  sent  Isaac  Guion,  Henry  Rhodes, 
Edward  Starkey,  John  Spicer,  and  John  King. 

To  the  same  place,  4th  of  April,  1776,  she  sent  George  Mitchell,  Benja- 
min Doty,  John  Spicer,  John  King,  and  John  Norman. 

To  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  to  form  a  Constitution,  she  sent  as  delegates 
John  Spicer,  Thomas  Johnston,  Benejah  Doty,  Edward  Starkey,  and 
Henry  Rhodes. 

Her  officers  in  1776,  were  AVilliam  Cray,  Colonel;  Henry  Rhodes,  Lieu,- 
tenant-Colonel ;  Thomas  .Johnson,  Major;  James  Howard,  2d  Major. 

Johnston,  once  its  Capital,  was  located  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county, 
•where  court  was  held ;  but  in  September,  1752,  a  most  terrific  hurricane 
swept  away  the  court  house,  clerk's  of&ces,  and  dwelling  houses ;  the  records 
were  all  destroyed,  and  the  town  was  abandoned.! 

List  of  Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Onslow  County, 

from  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  1776,  to  the  last  session, 

1850-51 :— 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1777.  Henry  Rhodes,  John  King,  Benejah  Doty. 

1778.  Henry  Rhodes,  Benejah  Doty,  George  Mitchell. 

1779.  Henry  Rhodes,  James  Howard,  Edward  Starkey. 

1780.  Henry  Rhodes,  Edward  Starkey,  George  Mitchell. 

1781.  Henry  Rhodes,  Edward  Starkey,  Lewis  Williams. 

1782.  Henry  Rhodes,  Edward  Starkey,  Lewis  Williams. 

*  Williamson's  History  of  North  Carolina,  ii.  14. 
t  Martin's  History  of  North  Carolina,  li.  61. 


ONSLOW  COUNTY. 


299 


Years.  Senate. 

1783.  John  Spicer, 

1784.  Thomas  Johnson, 

1785.  John  Spicer, 

1786.  George  Mitchell, 

1787.  George  Mitchell, 

1788.  Thomas  Johnson, 

1789.  David  Yeates, 

1790.  Robert  W.  Sneed, 

1791.  Robert  W.  Sneed, 

1792.  Reuben  Grant, 

1793.  Robert  Sneed, 

1794.  John  Spicer, 

1795.  John  Spicer, 

1796.  John  Spicer, 

1797.  John  Spicer, 

1798.  John  Spicer, 

1799.  John  Spicer, 

1800.  John  Spicer, 

1801.  Christopher  Dudley, 

1802.  George  Ward, 

1803.  Christopher  Dudley, 

1804.  John  FuUwood, 

1805.  John  Fullwood, 

1806.  Wm.  French, 

1807.  Wm.  French, 

1808.  Stephen  Williams, 

1809.  Christopher  Dudley, 

1810.  John  E.  Spicer, 

1811.  Edward  Ward,  Jr. 

1812.  Edward  Williams, 

1813.  Brice  Bender, 

1814.  Edward  B.  Dudley, 

1815.  Edward  Ward, 

1816.  Christopher  Dudley, 

1817.  Christopher  Dudley, 
181'8.  Christopher  Dudley, 

1819.  Eli  W.  AVard, 

1820.  Eli  W.Ward, 

1821.  Basil  R.  Smith, 

1822.  Edward  Ward, 

1823.  Edward  Ward, 

1824.  Edward  Ward, 

1825.  Edward  Ward, 

1826.  Edward  Ward, 

1827.  Edward  Ward, 

1829.  Edward  Ward, 

1830.  Edward  Ward, 

1831.  Lewis  Dishong, 

1832.  Lewis  Dishong, 

1833.  Thomas  Foy, 

1834.  Thomas  Ennett, 

1835.  David  W.  Simmons, 
1830.  Daniel  S.  Saunders, 
1838.  Joshua  Foy, 

1840.  John  B.  Pollock, 

1842.  Thomas  Ennett, 

1844.  W.  Ennett, 

1846.  William  Ferrard, 

1848.  John  F.  Spicei-, 

1850.  Geo.  H.  McMillan, 


House  of  Commons. 
Edward  Starkey,  James  Howard. 
Edward  Starkey,  David  Yeates. 
Reuben  Grant,  Edward  Starkey. 
Daniel  Yates,  Reuben  Grant. 
Daniel  Yates,  Reuben  Grant. 
Daniel  Yates,  Reuben  Grant. 
Robert  W.  Sneed,  John  Spicer. 
John  Spicer,  Christopher  Dudley. 
Reuben  Grant,  Christopher  Dudley. 
John  Spicer,  Joseph  Scott  Cray. 
Joseph  Scott  Cray,  Christopher  Dudley. 
Zachariah  Barrow,  Joseph  S.  Cray. 
.Zachariah  Barrow,  Joseph  S.  Cray. 
Zachariah  Barrow,  Nathaniel  Loomis. 
Nathaniel  Loomis,  Joseph  S.  Cray. 
Joseph  Scott  Cray,  Nathaniel  Loomis. 
Jesse  Williams,  Nathaniel  Loomis. 
Jesse  Williams,  AVilliam  Russell. 
George  W.  Mitchell,  George  Ward. 
Stephen  Williams,  George  W.  Mitchell. 
George  W.  Mitchell,  John  Fullwood. 
Stephen  Williams,  William  French. 
William  French,  Stephen  Williams. 
Lemuel  Doty,  Edward  Ward. 
Edward  Williams,  Benjamin  Farnell. 
Edward  Williams,  John  E.  Spicer. 
Edward  Williams,  William  Jones. 
Edward  Ward,  Edward  Williams. 
Edward  B.  Dudley,  George  W.  Noble. 
Lott  Humphrey,  William  Jones. 
Edward  B.  Dudley,  James  Thompson. 
Jason  Gregory,  G.  E.  Grant. 
William  Mitchell,  Jason  Gregory. 
Eli  W.  Ward,  Solomon  E.  Grant. 
Eli  W.  Ward,  Basil  R.  Smith. 
Eli  W.  Ward,  Basil  R.  Smith. 
Basil  R.  Smith,  Edward  Williams. 
Edward  Williams,  D.  M.  Dulany. 
Daniel  M.  Dulany,  W.  D.  Humphreys. 
Eli  W.  Ward,  Daniel  M.  Dulany. 
L.  T.  Oliver,  Eli  W.  Ward. 
Frederick  Foy,  Lewis  T.  Oliver. 
Edward  Williams,  Frederick  Foy. 
John  Giles,  Wm.  P.  Ferrand. 
Edward  Williams,  Frederick  Foy. 
Richard  II.  Hatch,  John  B.  Thompson. 
Frederick  Foy,  James  Rowe. 
John  B.  Thompson,  Geo.  A.  Thompson. 
Geo.  A.  Thompson,  Edward  Ward. 
Daniel  Thompson,  Thomas  Ennett. 
Nathan'l  L.  Mitchell,  Dan'l  S.  Saunders. 
Dan'l  S.  Saunders,  Dan'l  Thompson. 
John  A.  Averitt. 
John  B.  Pollock. 
Thomas  Ennett. 
Timothy  Ilaskins. 
Edward  W.  Saunders. 
Harry  Cox. 

C.  II.  Foy. 

D.  W.  Fonville. 


300  HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER    LVIII. 


ORANGE  COUNTY. 


Date  of  its  formation — Origin  of  name — Situation  and  boundaries — Popula- 
lation  and  products — Colonial  and  Revolutionary  History — Regulators  ; 
Herman  Husbands'  book  on  this  subject — Edmund  Fanning;  life  and  cha- 
racter of — Thomas  Burke,  late  Governor  of  North  Carolina ;  his  capture 
by  Fannen,  and  imprisonment — Francis  Nash — Pleasant  Henderson — 
Archibald  D.  Murphy — William  Norwood — Alexander  Mebane — William 
Montgomery — Frederick  Nash — William  A.  Graham — Wilie  P.  Mangum — 
John  Scott — James  Mebane,  and  others,  and  the  Members  of  the  Assembly 
from  Hillsboro',  and' the  county  of  Orange. 

Orange  County  was  formed  in  1751,  from  Granville,  Johnston, 
and  Bladen  counties,  and  called  in  compliment  to  the  House  of 
Orange,  which,  in  the  persons  of  William  and  Mary,  in  1692,  filled 
the  English  throne.  '^ 

It  is  located  in  the  centre  of  the  State,  and  bounded  on  the  north 
by  Person  and  Caswell,  on  the  east  by  Granville  and  Wake,  south 
by  Chatham,  and  west  by  Alamance. 

Its  capital  is  Hillsboro',  40  miles  north-west  of  Raleigh. 

Hillsboro'  was  laid  out  in  1759,  by  W.  Churton,  and  was  first 
called  Childsburg,  in  honor  of  the  Attorney-General  of  the  Colony ; 
but  altered  to  Hillsboro',  in  compliment  to  Earl  of  Hillsboro',*  the 
English  Secretary  of  State  for  America. 

Population  (1850),  11,330  whites;  481  free  negroes;  5,244  slaves;  14,957 
representative  population. 

Products  (1840),  388,426  bushels  corn;  262,882  lbs.  tobacco;  253,437  lbs. 
cotton;  12,686  lbs.  wool,;  87,579  bushels  wheat ;  81,613  bushels  oats ;  2,643 
bushels  rye. 

Orange  County  was  early  distinguished  for  the  independence  of 
her  citizens,  and  their  indomitable  opposition  to  tyranny.  Long 
before  the  Revolution,  the  people  of  this  County  rose  in  arms 
against  the  crown  officers ;  and  a  battle  took  place  on  the  banks  of 
the  Alamance,  in  1771,  between  Governor  Tryon  and  the  insurgents. 
That  battle  has  been  described  in  the  first  volume  of  these  sketches,! 
and  in  this  volume  (under  the  Chapter  I.  Alamance,)  copious,  rare, 
and  valuable  documents  are  presented  relative  thereto.  The  life 
and  character  of  Herman  Husbands,  the  chief  leader  of  the  Regu- 
lators, is  therein  sketched  (see  Randolph,  Chapter  LXIII),  and  we 
have  procured  his  pamphlet  as  to  the  cause  of  the  difficulties,  and 

*  Martin,  ii.  104.  -f  Vol.  i.  page  59. 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  301 

• 
the  grievances  that  the  people  groaned  under,  by  the  fraud,  extor- 
tion, and  oppression  of  the  officers.  This  production,  always  rare, 
now  out  of  print,  is  here  presented ;  when  the  space  it  occupies 
can  illy  be  spared.  But  its  value  and  importance  in  throwing  light 
upon  these  troubled  times,  will  compensate  for  the  space  it  occu- 
pies, and  is  worthy  the  careful  perusal  iand  study  of  the  reader. 


THE  REGULATION. 

husbands'  book.* 


An  Impartial  Relation  of  tie  First  Bise  and  Cause  of  the  Present  Difficulties  in 
Public  Affairs  in  the  province  of  North  Carolina. 

In  Orange  County  the  first  disturbance  is  generally  ascribed  to  have  arisen  ; 
but  Granville  and  Halifax  Counties  were  deeply  engaged  in  the  same  quarrel 
many  years  before  Orange :  so  that  it  may  be  necessary  to  give  a  few  para- 
graphs out  of  some  of  their  papers,  to  show  that  it  was  the  same  grievance 
and  oppression  that  incensed  all  the  counties,  without  corresponding  with 
each  other.  For  though  Granville  County  had  been  at  war,  asit  were,  some 
years  before  the  disturbance  in  Orange,  yet  we  never  heard  of  it  till  it  broke 
out  in  Orange. 

[Here  follows  an  extract,  the  title  of  which  is  mutilated  ;  but  as  we  make  it 
out,  reads  nearly  as  follows  :] 

"  A  serious  address  to  the  inhabitants  of  Granville  County,  containing  an 
account  of  our  deplorable  situation  we  suffer;  *  *  and  some  necessary 
hints  with  respect  to  a  reformation. 

"  Save  my  country,  Heaven,  shall  be  my  last." — Pope. 

Then,  after  treating  on  the  nature  of  law  in  general,  and  of  our  Constitu- 
tion, in  praise  of  it,  he  proceeds  thus: — 

"Well,  gentlemen,  it  is  not  our  form  or  mode  of  government,  nor  yet  the_ 
body  of  our  laws  that  we  are  quarreling  with  ;  but  with  the  malpractices  of 
the  officers  of  our  County  Court,  and  the  abuses  that  we  suffer  by  those  that 
are  impowered  to  manage  our  public  affairs :  This  is  the  grievance,  gentle- 
men, that  demands  our  serious  attention.     And  I  shall, 

"  Thirdly,  show  the  notorious  and  intolerable  abuses  that  has  crept  into 
the  practice  of  the  law  in  this  county,  and  I  doubt  not  but  into  other  counties 
also  ;  though  that  does  not  concern  us:  in  the  first  place,  there  is  a  law  that 
provides  that  a  lawyer  shall  take  no  more  than  fifteen  shillings  for  their  fee 
in  the  County  Court.  AVell,  gentlemen,  which  of  you  has  had  your  business 
done  for  fifteen  shillings?  They  exact  thirty  for  every  cause:  and  three — 
fuur — and  five  pounds  for  every  cause  attended  with  the  least  difficulty,  and 
laugh  at  us  for  our  stupidity  and  tame  submission  to  these  d-m-d,  &c." 

Another  paragraph  runs  thus  in  substance : — 

"  A  poor  man  is  supposed  to  have  given  his  judgment  bond  for  five  pounds  ; 
and  this  bond  is  by  his  creditor  thrown  into  court.  The  Clerk  of  the  County 
has  to  enter  it  on  the  docket,  and  issue  execution,  the  work  of  one  long 
minute,  for  which  the  poor  man  has  to  pay  him  the  trifling  sum  of  forty- one 
shillings  and  five  pence.  The  Clerk,  in  consideration  he  is  a  poor  man, 
takes  it  out  in  work,  at  eighteen  pence  a  day.  The  poor  man  works  some 
more  than  twenty-seven  days  to  pay  for  this  one  minute's  writing. 

"  Well,  the  poor  man  retiects  thus :  At  this  rate,  when  shall  I  get  to  labor 
for  my  family  ?  I  have  a  wife  and  parcel  of  small  children  sufiering  at  home, 
and  here  I  have  lost  a  whole  month,  and  I  don't  know  for  what;  fur  my 
merchant  is  as  far  from  being  paid  yet  as  ever.  However,  I  will  go  home 
now,  and  try  and  do  what  I  can.  Stay,  neighbor,  you  have  not  half  dune  yet, 
there  is  a  d — d  lawyer's  mouth  to  stop  yet — for  you  impowered  him  to  confess 
that  you  owed  this  five  pounds,  and  you  have  thirty  shillings  to  pay  him  for 

*  Printed  in  1770, 


302  HISTORY  OF  IvORTH  CAROLINA. 

that,  or  go  and  work  nineteen  days  more  ;  and  then  you  must  work  as  long  to 
pay  the  sheriff  for  his  trouble ;  and  then  you  may  go  home  and  see  your 
horses  and  cow  sold,  and  all  your  personal  estate,  for  one-tenth  part  of  the 
value,  to  pay  off  your  merchant.  And  lastly,  if  the  debt  is  so  great  that  all 
your  personal  estate  will  not  do  to  raise  the  money,  which  is  not  to  be  had — 
then  goes  your  lands  the  same  way  to  satisfy  these  cursed  hungry  caterpillars 
that  will  eat  out  the  very  bowels  of  our  commonwealth,  if  they  are  not  pulled 
down  from  their  nests  in  a  very  short  time.  And  what  need  I  say,  to  urge 
a  reformation.  If  these  things  were  absolutely  according  to  law,  it  were 
enough  to  make  us  throw  off  all  submission  to  such  tyrannical  laws  ;  for  were 
Buch  things  tolerated,  it  would  be  better  to  die  in  defence  of  our  privileges 
than  to  perish  for  want  of  the  means  of  subsistence.  But  as  these  practices 
are  contrary  to  law,  it  is  our  duty  to  put  a  stop  to  them  before  they  quite 
ruin  our  county,  or  that  we  become  willing  slaves  to  these  lawless  wretches, 
and  hug  our  chains  of  bondage,  and  remain  contented  under  these  accumu- 
lated calamities." 

"  Oh,  gentlemen,  I  hope  better  things  of  you,  I  believe  there  are  but  few 
of  you  but  has  felt  the  weight  of  those  iron  fists.  And  I  hope  there  are  none 
of  you  but  will  lend  a  hand  towards  bringing  about  this  necessary  work ; 
and  in  order  to  bring  it  about  effectually,  we  must  proceed  with  circumspec- 
tion ;  not  fearful,  but  careful. 

"  1st.  Let  us  be  careful  to  keep  sober — nor  do  nothing  rashly,  but  act  with 
deliberation. 

"2dly.  Let  us  do  nothing  against  the  known  established  laws  of  our  land, 
that  we  appear  not  as  a  faction,  endeavoring  to  subvert  the  laws,  and  over- 
turn the  system  of  our  government ;  but  let  us  take  care  to  appear  what 
really  we  are,  free  subjects  by  birth,  endeavoring  to  recover  our  lost  native 
rights,  of  reducing  the  malpractices  of  the  officers  of  our  Court  down  to  the 
standard  of  our  law." 

This  paper  was  large,  and  deserved  to  have  been  printed  at  length,  but 
my  ability  would  not  afford  it.  It  was  dated,  "  A'utbush,  Granville  County, 
the  Cth  of  June,  Anno  Dom.  1765." 

And  though  it  was  the  adjacent  county  to  Orange,  yet  the  first  that  ever 
we  heard  of  it  was  in  1767,  at  our  August  Court,  after  we  had  tried  to  plead 
our  own  cause  at  the  bar  against  extortion.  Then  some  persons  who  lived 
adjoining  Granville  line  told  us  they  feared  that  matter  would  ruin  some  of 
us,  for  that  just  such  a  case  had  been  undertook  in  Granville  County  some 
years  ago,  and  that  they  were  at  law  about  it  to  that  day.  And  by  what  I 
have  since  learned,  the  method  they  proceeded  in  was  by  petitioning  the 
legislative  body  against  the  malpractices  of  the  officers  mentioned  in  the 
paragraphs  cited.  And  thereupon  the  officers  sued  the  subscribers  for  a  libel ; 
indicted  the  author  of  the  paper,  and  imprisoned  him :  which  lawsuits  have 
remained  to  this  day. 

There  were  other  counties,  such  as  Brunswick,  Cumberland,  and  some 
more  had  wholly  declined  paying  taxes  as  early  as  1766,  if  not  before,  as 
nearly  as  I  could  collect  accounts ;  but  the  Government  made  no  noise  about 
all  this  till  Orange  could  no  longer  be  kept  quiet— -who  never  had  knowledge 
of  the  dissatisfaction  of  tliese  counties :  so  that  the  thing  did  not  spread  by 
industry  of  any  in  propagating  or  communicating  the  grievances,  but  the 
same  cause  naturally  produced  the  same  effect. 

But  now  I  shall  drop  other  counties  and  begin  with  Orange,  having,  as  I 
said  before,  as  perfect  a  knoAvledge  of  the  whole  proceedings  as  any  one  man 
in  the  province. 

Some  time  in  the  latter  part  of  summer,  in  the  year  1766,  at  an  Inferior 
Court,  in  the  county  of  Orange,  a  paper  was  presented  and  read  to  the  repre- 
sentatives and  magistrates  of  the  County,  as  follows,  viz  : — 

No.  I. 

"  Whereas  that  great  good  may  come  of  this  great  designed  evil,  the  Stamp 
Law,  while  the  sons  of  liberty  withstand  the  Lords  in  Parliament,  in  behalf 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  303 

of  true  liberty ;  let  no  officers  under  them  carry  on  unjust  oppression  in  our  own 
province  ;  in  order  thereto,  as  there  is  many  evils  of  that  nature  complained 
of  in  this  County  of  Orange,  in  private  amongst  the  inhabitants :  Therefore, 
let  us  remove  them ;  or  if  there  is  no  cause,  let  us  remove  the  jealousies  out 
of  our  minds.  Honest  rulers  in  power  will  be  glad  to  see  us  examine  this 
matter  freely.  And  certainly  there  is  more  honest  men  than  rogues;*  yet 
rogues  is  harbored  among  us  sometimes  almost  publicly. 

"  Every  honest  man  is  willing  to  give  part  of  his  substance  to-  support 
rulers,  and  laws,  to  save  the  other  part  from  rogues;  and  it  is  his  duty,  as 
well  as  right,  to  see  and  examine  whether  such  rulers  abuse  such  trust ; 
otherwise  that  part  so  given  may  do  more  hurt  than  good. 

"  Even  if  we  were  all  rogues,  in  that  case  we  could  not  subsist ;  but  would 
be  obliged  to  frame  laws  to  make  ourselves  honest.  And  the  same  reasoning 
holds  good  against  the  notion  of  a  mason  club. 

"  Thus,  though  it  (meaning  justice)  must  be  desired  by  all,  or  the  greatest 
Dumber  of  men,  yet  when  grievances  of  such  public  nature  are  not  redressed, 
the  reason  is,  everybody's  business  is  nobody's.  Therefore,  the  following 
proposal  is  submitted  to  the  public,  to  wit:  Let  each  neighborhood  through- 
out the  county  meet  together,  and  appoint  one  or  more  men  to  attend  a 
general  meeting  on  the  Monday  before  next  November  Court,  at  a  suitable 
place,  where  there  is  no  liquor  (at  Maddock's  Mill,  if  no  objection)  ;  at  which 
meeting,  let  it  be  judiciously  inquired  into,  whether  the  freemen  of  this 
county  labor  under  any  abuses  of  power  or  not;  and  let  the  same  be  notified 
in  writing,  if  any  is  found,  and  the  matter  freely  conversed  upon,  and  pi'oper 
measures  used  for  amendment. 

"  This  method  will  certainly  cause  the  wicked  men  in  power  to  tremble  ; 
and  there  is  no  damage  can  attend  such  a  meeting,  nor  nothing  hinder  it  but 
a  cowardly  dastardly  spirit :  which  it  does,  at  this  time,  while  liberty  prevails, 
"we  must  mutter  and  grumble  under  any  abuses  of  power  until  such  a  noble 
spirit  prevails  in  our  posterity ;  for,  take  this  as  a  maxim,  that  while  men  are 
men,  though  you  should  see  all  those  sons  of  liberty  (who  has  just  now 
redeemed  us,  fi'om  tyranny)  set  in  offices,  and  vested  with  power,  they  would 
soon  corrupt  again  and  oppress,  if  they  were  not  called  upon  to  give  an  ac- 
count of  their  stewardship." 

This  paper  being  publicly  read  at  court,  in  audience  of  our  chiefs,  Mr. 
Loyd,  one  of  our  Assembly-men,  declared  his  approbation  of  it,  and  the  rest 
acknowledged  it  was  reasonable  ;  and  Loyd  altered  the  day  of  meeting  to  the 
10th  of  October ;  and  we  being  thus  encouraged,  several  neighborhoods  held 
meetings,  and  conjunctively  di-ew  up  the  following  paper: — 

No.  II. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  neighborhood  of  Deep  River,  the  20th  of  August, 

1766.     Unanimously  agreed  to  appoint  W C and  W M to 

attend  at  general  meeting  on  the  10th  of  October  at  Maddock's  mill,  where 
they  are  judicioiishj  to  examine  ichether  the  freemen  in  this  county  labor  nn- 
der  any  abuses  of  power,  and  in  particular  to  examine  into  the  public  tax,  and 
inform  themselves  of  every  particular  thereof  by  ivhat  laws  and  for  ivhat  uses  it 
is  laid,  in  order  to  remove  some  jealousies  out  of  our  minds. 

"  And  the  representatives,  vestry-men,  and  other  officers,  are  requested  to 
give  the  members  of  the  said  meeting  what  information  and  satisfaction  they 
can  ;  so  far  as  they  value  the  good  will  of  every  honest  freeholder,  and  the 
executing  public  offices,  pleasant  and  delightsome.'^ 

In  pursuance  hereof,  about  twelve  men  met;  but  none  of  the  officers 
appeared,  though  they  had  frequently  gave  out  word  beforehand  that  they 
would  be  there.  Late  in  the  day  Mr.  James  Watson  came  alone,  and  brought 
word  from  Colonel  Fanning,  the  other  representative,  that  he  had  always  in- 

*  The  author  had  in  view  fo  carry  elections  by  the  majority,  and  was  to  confute  a 
general  prevailing-  notion,  that  the  combination  of  rog-ues,  In-  means  of  a  JNlason  club,  was 
so  great,  that  it  was  in  vain  to  try  to  out-vote  them  at  elections,  which  was  the  method 
of  redress  proposed  in  conversation. 


304  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

tended  fully  to  meet  us  ;  till,  a  day  or  two  ago,  he  observed  in  one  of  our 
papers  the  word  judiciously*,  which  signified,  he  said,  by  a  Court  of  Author- 
ity ;  and  had  some  other  objections,  such  as  the  mill  being  no  suitable  place. 
And  concluding  that,  in  short,  says  he,  Colonel  Fanning  looks  on  it  as  an 
insurrection,  &c.  &c. 

Whereupon  we,  in  Watson's  presence,  drew  up  the  following  paper,  and 
read  it  to  him,  desiring  his  judgment;  and  he  said  it  wasso  just  and  reason- 
able that  no  man  could  object  to  it,  which  was  thus,  to  wit: — 

No.- III. 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Orange  connty,  on  the  10th  of  October, 

n(jG,  for  conference  on  public  affairs  loith  our  representatives,  vestry-men,  dec. 

"  It  was  the  judgment  of  the  said  meeting,  that,  by  reason  of  the  extent 
of  the  county,  no  one  man  in  it,  in  a  general  way,  was  known  by  above  one- 
tenth  man  of  the  inhabitants  ;  for  which  reason,  such  a  meeting  for  a  public 
and  free  conference,  yearly,  and  as  often  as  the  case  may  require,  was  abso- 
lutely necessary  ;  in  order  to  reap  the  benefit  designed  us  in  that  part  of  our 
Constitution  of  choosing  representatives,  and  knowing  for  what  uses  our 
money  is  called  for.  We  also  conceive  such  a  representative  would  find  him- 
self at  an  infinite  loss  to  answer  the  design  of  his  constituents,  if  deprived 
of  consulting  their  minds  in  matters  of  weight  and  moment. 

"And  whereas,  at  the  said  meeting,  none  of  them  appeared  (though  we 
think  properly  acquainted  with  our  appointment  and  requests),  yet,  as  the 
thing  is  somewhat  new  in  this  county,  though  practiced  in  older  governments, 
they  might  not  have  duly  considered  the  reasonableness  of  our  requests. 

"  We  therefore  conclude,  that  if  they  hereafter  are  inclinable  to  answer  it, 
that  we  will  attend  them  at  some  other  time  and  place,  on  their  giving  us 
proper  notice. 

"  It  is  also  our  judgment,  that,  on  further  mature  deliberation,  the  inhabit- 
ants of  the  county  will  more  generally  see  the  necessity  of  such  a  conference, 
and  the  number  increase  in  favor  of  it,  to  be  continued  yearly." 

A  copy  of  this  was  given  to  Mr.  Watson,  on  his  approbation  of  it ;  and  he 
promised  to  present  each  of  our  representatives  with  proper  transcripts ; 
which  we  make  not  the  least  doubt  but  he  complied  with. 

But,  however,  instead  of  complying  with  our  so  reasonable  proposals.  Colo- 
nel Fanning,  the  following  court,  or  at  a  general  muster,  read  a  long  piece  of 
writing  in  public,  and  among  our  justices,  in  repugnance  to  our  request, 
vaunting  himself  greatly  in  his  performance  ;  telling  them,  he  had  served  us 
with  copies  thereof,  and  signified  it  would  silence  us  or  had  silenced  as.  But 
as  to  what  it  contained,  I  cannot  inform  the  public,  as  we,  nor  any  one  of  us 
that  ever  I  could  find,  ever  saw  it. 

This,  with  the  menaces  thrown  out  by  the  bomb  sheriffs  against  such  as 
were  most  active  in  this  affair,  so  discouraged  the  people,  that  the  affair  drop- 
ped; after  we  had  subscribed  to  a  sum  of  fifty  pounds,  in  order  to  commence 
a  suit  at  law  against  them  on  the  penal  laws,  and  was  denied  by  the  only 
attorney  we  had  any  hopes  of  serving  us  to  undertake  it. 

Some  months  after  all  was  still,  there  happened  to  come  out  a  new 
collection  of  the  laws  in  one  book ;  two  of  us  took  a  copy  of  the  fees 
out  of  it,  for  recording  deeds  of  conveyances,  and  carried  it  to  court  in  Au- 
gust term,  1767.  These  men  offered  the  customary  fees  for  the  recording 
and  proving  their  deeds  that  were  taken  in  other  counties,  though  that 
exceeded  the  lawful  due ;  at  the  same  time,  offering  to  pay  more,  if  any  of 
them  could  show  any  law  for  more. 

This  was  before  the  bench  ;  when  the  man  who  spoke  was  asked,  how  long 
it  was  since  he  had  commenced  lawyer  ?  But,  as  he  did  not  regard,  some  of 
the  bench  began  to  threaten  him  for  standing  in  contempt  of  the  court.  Upon 
which,  they  withdrew. 

The  person  who  had  got  this  law-book  being  half  owner  of  it,  had  it  at 

*  By  what  I  have  learnt  since,  they  pretended  to  have  mistook  the  word  for  judicially ; 
but  our  original  papers  were  in  too  many  hands  to  make  it  take. 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  *  305 

court,  and  it  was  handed  about  among  the  people ;  which  the  other  owner 
knowing  of,  and  he  being  one  of  the  bench  and  on  the  bench  at  the  time, 
came  immediately  out  of  court,  calling  his  partner  in  the  book  to  one  side, 
desiring  him  to  keep  the  knowledge  of  the  book's  being  handed  about  a  secret 
from  the  rest  of  the  court.  The  other  replies,  "  I  have  given  them  that  I  let 
have  the  book  that  caution  already,  for  I  see  how  matters  stand  among  you." 
Which  was,  that  an  honest  man  could  hardly  live  among  them  ;  for  these  new 
books  were  so  scarce  at  that  time,  that  they  would  have  known  who  had  let 
it  out  among  the  people. 

Thus  we  may  see  how  he  apprehended  himself  under  a  necessity  to  con- 
ceal his  good  offices  and  honesty  to  secure  himself  in  office  ;  but  I  suppose  he 
was  found  out,  for  he  was  soon  after  put  out  of  commission. 

The  bombs  now  grew  more  and  more  insulting,  taking  unusual  distresses 
for  levies  ;  taking  double,  treble,  and  four  times  the  value  ;  bearing  all  off  to 
town,  thirty,  forty,  and  sixty  miles,  and  was  remarkably  cross,  taking  by- 
paths, and  other  ways  than  they  had  promised  ;  so  that  those  who  followed, 
may  be  in  a  few  hours,  to  redeem  their  things,  could  never  overtake  them. 

These  things  were  all  sold  in  town  at  under  rates,  and  became  a  constant 
trade,  so  that  roguish  people  began  to  depend  on  these  sales  to  raise  them 
fortunes.  And  as  to  any  overplus  being  returned  to  the  parties,  I  never 
could  hear  of  any.  Besides,  among  Dutch  people,  and  such  as  were  ignorant 
of  State  affairs,  they  practised  taking  four  pence,  six  pence,  and  a  shilling  in 
a  tax,  more  than  from  the  more  knowing. 

The  High  Sheriff  also  sent  out  an  insulting  advertisement,  which  was  set 
up  very  early  in  the  following  year,  to  wit,  1768  (may  be  in  first  of  Febru- 
ary), as  follows: — 

"Whereas,  by  a  late  Act  of  Assembly,  the  sheriffs  of  the  several  counties  in 
this  province  are  obliged  to  attend  at  live  different  places  in  their  county,  at 
least  two  days  at  each  place,  at  some  time  between  the  first  day  of  January 
and  the  first  day  of  March,  in  order  to  receive  the  public  county  and  parish 
taxes.  I  hereby  inform  the  County  of  Orange,  that  I  intend  to  comply  with 
my  duty  in  attending,  according  to  law,  at  times  and  places  hereafter  to  be 
advertised ;  and  that  every  man  who  fails  paying  their  dues,  at  these  times 
and  places,  is  by  the  same  law,  obliged  to  pay  two  shillings  and  eight  pence 
extraordinary.  Which  sum  I  shall  demand  without  respect  to  persons. 
Whereof  every  one  concerned  is  desired  to  take  notice. 

"  And  should  any  person  imagine  that  it  is  sufficient  if  they  have  their 
money  ready  when  I  or  my  deputy  comes  for  it,  I  advise  them  to  be  provided 
with  two  shillings  and  eight  pence  for  the  visit. 

From  their  humble  servant, 

TYREE  HARRIS." 

Every  one  could  see  this  was  quite  insulting  as  well  as  an  attempt  to  make 
asses  of  us ;  for  no  one  but  had  sense  enough  to  know  this  new  law  was  cal- 
culated for  the  Sheriff's  ease.  And  instead  of  being  so  careful  to  word  his 
advertisement  that  "the  Sheriffs  were  obliged  to  attend,"  as  he  might  have 
said,  the  asses  were  obliged  to  bi'ing  their  burdens  to  him,  in  order  that  one 
of  their  deputies  might  collect  the  whole  in  ten  days,  sitting  on  his  breach, 
at  ease,  in  five  places  only. 

The  rumor  of  giving  the  Governor  "fifteen  thousand  pounds  to  build  him 
a  house,  all  happening  together  at  this  time,  conspired  to  give  rise  to 
what  was  commonly  called  the  mob,  which  in  a  little  time  altered  to  that  of 
the  Regulators. 

This  new  association  began  in  a  different  neighborhood,  though  they 
always  mentioned  and  espoused  the  former;  and  people  had  entered  into 
it  by  hundreds,  and  it  spread  every  way  like  fire  till  it  reached  Sandy  Creek, 
where  the  principal  men  who  were  concerned  in  the  papers  Xo.  1,  2,  and  3 
lived.  There  this  new  scheme  met  with  some  opposition,  on  account  that  it 
was  too  hot  and  rash,  and  in  some  things  not  legal.  And  thougli  the  Sandy 
Creek  people  endeavored  to  show  them  the  danger  of  their  proceedings,  yet 


306  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

took  care  at  the  same  time  not  to  kill  that  zeal  for  justice  and  true  liberty. 
And  at  the  second  meeting  they  had  prevailed  with  them  to  form  new  arti- 
cles, and  censured  their  first ;  yet,  at  the  first  meeting  they  had  sent  a  paper 
to  our  officers,  which  paper  was  approved  of,  and  bears  the  name  Number  Y., 
though  dated  March  22d.  The  new  articles  being  adopted  at  their  second 
meeting,  held  on  April  the  fourth,  being  instead  of  the  first  articles,  always 
bore  the  place  of  the  first,  which  was  Number  IV.,  and  is  as  follows,  viz  : — 

No.  IV. 

"  We  the  subscribers  do  voluntarily  agree  to  form  ourselves  into  an  asso- 
ciation, to  assemble  ourselves  for  conference  for  regulating  public  grievances 
and  abuses  of  power,  in  the  following  particulars,  with  others  of  the  like 
nature  that  may  occur. 

"  1st.  That  we  will  pay  no  more  taxes  until  we  are  satisfied  they  are  agree- 
able to  law,  and  applied  to  the  purposes  therein  mentioned,  unless  we  cannot 
help  it,  or  are  forced. 

"2d.  That  we  will  pay  no  oflBcer  any  more  fees  than  the  law  allows,  unless 
■we  are  obliged  to  it,  and  then  to  show  our  dislike,  and  bear  an  open  testimony 
against  it. 

"  3d.  That  we  will  attend  our  meetings  of  conference  as  often  as  we  con- 
veniently can,  and  is  necessary,  in  order  to  consult  our  representatives  of 
the  amendment  of  such  laws  as  may  be  found  grievous  or  unnecessary ;  and 
to  choose  more  suitable  men  than  we  have  done  heretofore  for  burgesses  and 
vestry-men  ;  and  to  petition  the  House  of  Assembly,  Governor,  Council,  King, 
and  Parliament,  &c.,  for  redress  in  such  grievances  as  in  the  course  of  the 
undertaking  may  occur;  and  to  inform  one  another,  learn,  know,  and  enjoy 
all  the  privileges  and  liberties  that  are  allowed  and  were  settled  upon  us  by 
our  worthy  ancestors,  the  founders  of  our  present  constitution,  in  order  to  pre- 
serve it  on  its  ancient  foundation,  that  it  may  stand  firm  and  unshaken. 

"  4th.  That  we  will  contribute  to  collections  for  defraying  necessary  ex- 
penses attending  the  work,  according  to  our  abilities. 

"5th.  That,  in  case  of  difierence  in  judgment,  we  will  submit  to  the  judg- 
ment of  the  majority  of  our  body. 

"  To  all  which  we  solemnly  swear,  or,  being  a  Quaker,  or  otherwise  scru- 
pulous in  conscience  of  the  common  oath,  do  solemnly  aflSrm,  that  we  will 
stand  true  and  faithful  to  this  cause,  till  we  bring  things  to  a  true  regulation, 
according  to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  hereof  in  the  judgment  of  the  ma- 
joi'ity  of  us." 

Number  five  is  as  follows,  viz : — 

No.  V. 
"  The  22d  day  of  March,  1768.     The  request  of  the  inhabitants  on  the  west  side 
of  Haw  Eiver,   to  the  Assemhly-men  and   Vestry-men  of  Orange   County, 
viz: — 

"Whereas  the  taxes  in  this  county  are  larger  according  to  the  number  of 
taxables  than  adjacent  counties,  and  continues  so  year  after  year,  and  as  the 
jealousies  still  prevails  amongst  us  that  we  are  wronged ;  and  having  the 
more  reason  to  think  so  as  we  have  been  at  the  trouble  of  choosing  men  and 
sending  them,  after  the  civilest  manner  that  we  could,  to  know  what  we  paid 
our  levy  for,  but  could  receive  no  satisfaction  ;  for  James  Watson  was  sent 
to  Haddock's  Mill,  and  said  that  Edmund  Fanning  looked  on  it  that  the 
country  called  him  by  authority,  or  like  as  if  they  had  a  right  to  call  him  to 
an  account.  Not_ allowing  the  country  the  right  that  they  have  been  entitled 
to  as  English  subjects  ;  for  the  King  requires  no  money  from  his  subjects 
but  what  they  are  made  sensible  what  use  it  is  for. 

"  AVe  are  obliged  to  seek  redress  by  denying  paying  any  more  until  we 
have  a  full  settlement  for  what  is  past,  and  have  a  true  regulation  with  our 
officers., 

"  As  our  grievances  are  too  many  to  be  notified  in  a  small  piece  of  writing, 
we  desire  that  you,  our  Assembly-men  and  Vestry-men,  may  appoint  a  time, 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  307 

before  next  court,  at  the  court  house,  and  let  us  know  by  the  bearer,  and  Tve 
will  choose  men  to  act  for  us,  and  settle  our  grievances. 

"  Until  such  time  as  you  will  settle  with  us,  we  desire  the  sheriffs  will  not 
come  this  way  to  collect  the  levy  ;  for  we  will  pay  none  before  there  is  a  settle- 
ment to  our  satisfaction. 

"  And  as  the  nature  of  an  officer  is  a  servant  to  the  public,  we  are  deter- 
mined to  have  the  officers  of  this  county  under  a  better  and  honester  regula- 
tion than  they  have  been  for  some  time  past. 

"Think  not  to  frighten  us  (with  rebellion)  in  this  case,  for  if  the  inhabit- 
ants of  this  province  have  not  as  good  a  right  to  inquire  into  the  nature  of 
our  constitution  and  disbursements  of  our  funds  as  those  of  our  mother 
country,  we  think  that  it  is  by  arbitrary  proceedings  that  we  are  debarred 
of  that  right.  Therefore,  to  be  plain  with  you,  it  is  our  intent  to  have  a  full 
settlement  of  you  in  every  particular  point  that  is  matter  of  doubt  with  us.  So 
fail  not  to  send  an  answer  by  the  bearer.  If  no  answer,  we  shall  take  it  for 
granted  that  we  are  disregarded  in  this  our  request  again  from  the  public." 

This  was  the  first  message  this  new  society  sent  our  officers.  But  no  mas- 
ter of  abject  slaves  could  be  more  exasperated — they  were  rebels,  insurgents, 
&c.,  to  be  shot,  hanged,  &c.,  as  mad  dogs,  &c.  And  the  Sandy  Creek  men,  or 
authors  of  No.  1,  2,  and  3,  were  to  be  punished  for  it  all ;  for  these  refers  to 
their  former  papers.  Now  as  they  were  so  ignorant  as  actually  to  imprison, 
and  went  through  a  course  of  law  to  make  the  authors  of  the  first  papers 
culpable  for  these  last,  I  will  observe,  the  latter  had  a  right  to  refer  to  the 
former,  because  they  had  concurred  and  joined  in  the  former,  but  that  by  no 
means  made  all  them  who  were  concerned  in  the  former,  and  scarcely  had 
heard  of  the  latter,  to  be  anyways  culpable.  Indians  now-a-days  know  this 
distinction,  that  where  a  few  bad  people  of  a  nation  commit  outrages  the 
whole  is  not  blameable.  However  hard  this  distinction  might  have  been  to 
our  officers  to  conceive,  I  know  it  was  the  easiest  and  naturalest  of  all  things 
to  be  felt  by  the  parties. 

And  further,  because  they  styled  themselves  inhabitants  of  the  west  side 
of  Haw  River ;  therefore  the  whole  body  of  the  inhabitants  on  the  west  side 
were  so  treated,  that  I  can  venture  to  say,  that  though  not  one  third  man  on 
the  west  side  had  yet  concerned  themselves,  yet  they  were  afterwards  forced 
to  join  as  one  man  in  defence  of  their  lives. 

On  the  whole,  I  do  not  think  it  needful  to  take  much  pains  to  show  this  dis- 
tinction, for  my  opinion  is,  our  officers'  spleen  against  the  authors  of  former 
papers  was  for  that  very  reason,  that  they  were  pursuing  a  legal  and  consti- 
tutional plan  to  be  redressed  ;  as  also,  when  it  came  to  be  tried  in  the  law,  the 
distinction  was  as  clear  as  the  day,  and  punished  none  but  them  who  were 
actually  guilty. 

I  have  said  thus  much  on  this  head,  the  more  as  I  observe  by  the  newspa- 
pers that  men  in  higher  stations  than  our  officers  attempted  the  same  thing 
on  the  town  of  Boston. 

Sg,  to  proceed  in  order,  on  the  said  4th  of  April,  1768,  after  the  articles 
were  altered,  and  both  parties  joined  on  the  former  plan,  they  drew  up  the 
following  paper,  viz  : — 

No.  VI. 

"  At  a  general  meeting  of  the  Regulators,*  held  April  the  4th,  1768,  it  was 

agreed  to  send  P C and  J L to  request  the  two  late  sheriffs 

and  our  vestry-men  to  meet  twelve  men  tho  t  we  shall  choose,  on  the  Tuesday 
after  the  next  court,  to  produce  to  them  a  copy  of  the  list  of  taxables  for 
each  year,  and  a  list  of  the  number  and  names  of  the  insolvents  returned 
each  year,  with  an  account  how  the  money  was  applied,  to  whom  paid,  and 
to  what  uses,  both  vestry-raen  and  sheriffs,  and  to  request  our  representatives  to 
confer  with  them  in  our  behalf,  and  show  us  law  for  the  customary  fees  that 

*  This  new  name,  instead  of  mob,  was  necessary  according  to  the  nature  of  the  busi- 
ness of  tlie  day  of  altering  the  articles. 


308  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

has  been  taken  for  deeds,  indentures,  administrations,  &c.     If  the  time  ap- 
pointed don't  suit  them,  let  them  appoint  another  more  suitable/' 

Bef>re  these  two  men  had  time  to  perform  this  message,  the  olhcers,  either 
to  try  or  exasperate  the  now  enraged  populace,  took,  by  way  of  distress,  a 
mare,  saddle  and  bridle,  for  one  levy  ;  and  they  immediately  rose  to  the  num- 
ber of  sixty  or  seventy,  and  rescued  the  mare,  and  fired  a  few  guns  at  the 
roof  of  Colonel  Tanning's  house,  to  signify  they  blamed  him  for  all  this 

The"  paper  No.  6  was  then  delivered  to  the  established  minister  of  the 
county  who  undertook  to  try  to  accommodate  the  matter ;  who  accordingly 
returned  with  an  answer  from  the  officers,  and  that  they  had  appointed  the 
11th  day  of  iMay  for  a  settlement.  _  ■,      on  i      ^  .      -i      . 

The  Keo-ulators  hereupon  called  a  meeting  on  the  oUth  ot  April,  chose 
twelve  men  to  meet  accordingly,  and  sent  the  officers  an  account  thereof,  but 
the  paper  never  was  delivered  by  reason  (as  it  was  on  Saturday)  the  Gover- 
nor's Secretary  arrived  the  same  day  in  the  town,  and  brought  a  proclama- 
tion from  the  "Governor,  desiring  all  rioters  to  disperse,  and  on  their  refusal, 
commanding  all  officers  to  aid  and  assist  to  disperse  them.  And  what  I 
think  is  the  oddest  thing  1  ever  heard  of,  this  proclamation  was  set  up 
on  Saturday,  the  rioters  ever  since  the  riot  all  peaceable  at  home ;  yet  the 
officers  assembled  themselves  on  Sunday  to  the  number  of  about  thirty, 
with  a  tavern-keeper  or  two,  and  a  man  who  had  lately  killed  another,  which 
the  jury  of  inquest  had  adjudged  wilful  murder,  all  armed  with  guns,  pis- 
tols and  swords,  and  rode  all  the  Sabbath  night,  the  distance  of  forty  miles, 
and  took  one  of  the  rioters  prisoner,  by  virtue  of  a  warrant,  and  also  another 
innocent  person  -without  any  precept  at  all,  by  reason  no  precept  could  be 
obtained,  because  no  charge  was  or  could  be  proven  against  him,  though  they 
had  made  all  the  search  and  inquiry  they  were  capable  of  doing,  by  reason, 
as  was  hinted  before,  he  was  allowed  to  have  been  the  author  of  the  former 
papers,  Nos.  1,  2  and  3. 

But  the  case  was  so  among  the  inhabitants  that  every  man  knew  who  was 
and  who  was  not  joined  into  the  Regulation,  by  reason  it  was  all  the  topic 
of  converse  and  inquiry.  It  being,  therefore,  so  well  known  that  this  per- 
son was  innocent,  that  "it  alarmed  and  raised  a  fiery  zeal  in  every  one  who 
had  or  had  not  entered  into  the  association.  _  And  I  suppose  not  near  half 
the  inhabitants  had  at  this  time  entered  into  it. 

This  alarm  immediately  so  engaged  almost  every  man,  woman,  and  child, 
that  by  daylight,  next  morning,  some  hundreds  were  assembled  near  the  town  ; 
which  number  in  an  hour  or  two  increased  to  odds  of  seven  hundred  armed  men, 
many  of  which  had  traveled  forty  odd  miles  on  foot,  some  barefooted,  and 
some  (at  least  one)  had  traveled  thirty  miles  with  his  shoes  slip-shod ;  but 
the  most  part  were  on  horseback.  The  whole  was  actuated  by  what  the 
world  calls  the  spirit  of  enthusiasm,  for  I  felt  it  myself  as  soon  as  I  came 
into  the  company;  it  catched  every  man,  good  or  bad,  as  Saul  was  catched 
among  the  prophets.  A  man  under  the  operation  of  this  spirit,  I  am  certain, 
can  do  and  undergo  double  what  he  can  at  another  time.  It  is  prodigiously 
dangerous  to  raise  this  spirit,  if  it  is  nothing  but  natural,  as  some  imagine  ; 
but  I  believed  it  was  a  work  of  providence,  and  therefore  feared  no  evil. 

The  Governor's  secretary  met  this  company  in  sight  of  the  town.'  But  I 
have  to  observe,  first,  that  both  the  prisoners  had  given  bail  and  had  met  this 
company  very  early ;  for  we  supposed  the  officers  had  got  some  word  of  their 
being  on  the  road,  as  some  companies  took  up  long  before  day,  near  the  town, 
or  else  the  prisoners  w^ould,  we  suppose,  have  been  sent  to  Newbern,  two 
hundred  miles.  This  would  have  been  hard  work  for  the  inhabitants  on  the 
east  side  of  the  town,  who  were  also  assembled  in  companies,  laying  in  wait 
to  rescue  the  prisoners  among  inhabitants  who  had  not  intermeddled  be- 
fore. The  secretary  read  the  proclamation  and  delivered  a  verbal  message, 
which  he  said  he  had  from  the  Governor  ;  that  if  they  should  assemble  while 
he  was  up,  to  tell  them,  if  they  would  petition  the  Governor,  he  would  pro- 
tect and  redress  them  against  any  unlawful  extortions  or  oppressions  of  any 
officer  or  officers  in  the  county ;  provided  they  would  disperse  and  go  home. 

No  sooner  was  the  word  spoke,  but  the  whole  multitude,  as  with  one  voice, 


ORANGE  COUXTY.  309 

cried  out,  "  AGREED  !  TJiat  is  all  we  want ;  liberty  to  make  our  grievances 
knoicti." 

It  is  admirable  the  quickness  of  the  spirit  in  a  people,  truly  engaged  in  a 
cause,  to  apprehend  and  take  anything  offered  that  in  truth  has  a  tendency  to 
procure  a  remedy :  we  had  felt  ourselves  shut  out  and  denied  a  hearing ;  and 
we  sensibly  felt  the  whole  calculation  and  design  of  our  enemies,  was  to  pre- 
vent our  cries  from  reaching,  as  it  were,  the  royal  ear  :  or,  which  is  the  same 
thing,  the  legislative  body  of  the  government. 

A  fatal  blow  was  this  to  our  adversaries  ;  but  they  saw  it  not  till  it  was  too 
late.  Had  not  this  very  accident  happened,  we  never  could  have  had  a 
hearing. 

And,  to  mend  the  matter,  the  secretary  was  so  pleased  that  he  had  hit 
upon  an  expedient  to  make  peace,  that  he  sent  for  some  bottles  of  wine,  and, 
with  a  loud  voice,  before  officers  and  people,  repeated  the  same  thing  over  and 
over,  without  variation,  several  times,  and  drank  the  wine  as  a  testimony  or 
record  that  such  an  agreement  was  made,  and  that  by  express  orders  from 
his  Excellency. 

The  joy  that  we  returned  home  with  on  this  occasion,  was  inexpressible, 
for  men  can  feel  things  of  an  oppressive  nature,  that  they  cannot  make  ap- 
pear; we  could  plainly  feel  we  were  debarred  from  complaining;  we  could 
feel  we  dared  not  petition  the  Governor  unless  we  let  our  adversaries  word  the 
petition;  but  now  they  had  tied  themselves.  We  immediately  advertised  the 
agreement,  and  appointed  a  meeting,  but  this  opened  the  eyes  of  our 
officers  to  see  their  mistake.  I  call  it  a  mistake  and  accident,  because 
the  Governor  denied  afterwards  that  he  gave  such  orders,  as  will  be  seen  by 
his  answer  to  our  petition,  though  some  who  do  not  like  him,  think  he  denied 
it  because  he  rued  it. 

It  is  beyond  my  power  to  describe  the  pains  that  was  taken  to  recall  this 
mistake,  unless  I  was  to  print  a  copy  of  all  their  letters,  and  as  much  preach- 
ing and  arguments  as  a  man  could  read  in  a  week.  We  were  told  in 
plain  terms,  and  in  writing,  that  no  petition  could  nor  would  go  down  with 
the  Governor,  but  such  a  one  as  they  had  wrote  for  us,  in  which  they  made 
us  say,  we  had  thought  the  officers  wronged  us,  but  had  now  found  it  was 
owing  to  some  mistake  or  defect  in  our  proceeding,  and  told  us  if  we  per- 
sisted. Colonel  Fanning  would  represent  our  case  to  the  Govei-nor  as  high 
treason,  and  not  as  a  riot,  and  kept  constantly  at  this  work,  till  and  on  the  day 
appointed  to  meet,  where  and  when  a  merchant  and  clergyman  appeared  to 
influence  and  frighten  us  from  proceeding,  and,  though  they  made  the  work 
exceeding  unpleasant,  and  much  confused  us,  yet  the  following  paper  was 
unanimously  at  last  agreed  to,  viz : — 

No.  YII. 

"At  a  general  meeting  of  the  Regulators,  Associators,  and  others,  inhabitants 
of  the  County  of  Orange,  held  at  George  Sally's,  on  the  2.\st  of  May, 
1768, 

"  It  was  unanimously  agreed  to  continue  our  petition,  agreed  on  last  meet- 
ing, to  the  Governor,  Council,  and  Assembly,  for  redressing  very  grievous, 
cruel,  .iniquitous,  and  oppressive  practices  of  our  officers,  which  we  gene- 
rally conceive  we  have  labored  under  this  many  years,  contrary  to  law. 

"  And  in  pursuance  of  a  verbal  message  from  the  Governor,  sent  us  express 
by  his  secretary,  delivered  to  us  on  the  od  of  this  instant,  we  agree  to  renew 
our  said  petition.     And  as  sundry  forms  have  been  read  here  this  day,  and 

signed  by  sundi-y  neighborhoods,  we  appoint  W M ,  W C , 

H—  C ,  J L ,  J M ,  J II ,  K II ,  and 

G II ,  to  form  one  out  of  the  whole,  referring  to  the  several  com- 
plaints for  information  of  grievances. 

"  And  being  conscious  of  our  loyalty  to  King  George  the  third,  on  the  pre- 
sent throne,  and  our  firm  attachment  to  the  present  establishment  and  form 
of  government,  which  we  sincerely  believe  all  our  grievances  are  quite  oppo- 
site and  contrary  to,  by  downright  roguish  practices  of  men  who  have  crept 
into  posts  of  office,  and  have  practiced  upon  our  ignorance  and  new  settled 
situation. 


310  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLIXA. 

"  We  therefore  order  the  above  committee  to  implore  the  Governor's  pardon 
and  forgiveness,  in  the  most  submissive  manner,  for  any  errors  that  we  may 
have  committed,  that  is  or  may  be  construed  to  derogate  from  the  honor  of 
his  ^Majesty's  crown  and  dignity,  or  tending  to  obstruct  the  peace  and  good 
order  of  government. 

"  And  for  the  Governor's  better  information,  we  order  the  committee  to  pre- 
pare copies  of  all  our  proceedings  which  was  agreed  on  by  our  body  even  from 
the  first  beginning; — to  go  with  our  said  petition — and  a  suitable  number  of 
the  said  committee  to  wait  on  the  Governor  with  them  as  soon  as  possible. 

"And  as  we  have  received  a  letter  from  Anson  County,  informing  us  of  an 
association  there  on  the  same  account,  and  requesting  our  information  of  the 
manner  of  our  proceeding,  we  order  a  copy  of  this  to  be  sent  to  them  imme- 
diately, to  prevent  speedily  their  running  into  any  error — we  believing  their 
scruples  to  be  well  cjrounded  and  their  intention  honest." 

In  June  they  waited  on  the  Governor  with  the  copies  of  all  the  foregoing 
papers,  and  other  attested  complaints,  and  brought  us  back  the  following 
answer,  viz. : — 

Gentlemex  : — I  received  by  the  hands  of  Messrs.  Hunter  and  Howell  a  peti- 
tion, and  other  papers,  subscribed  by  several  of  the  inhabitants  on  the  south 
side  of  Haw  Kiver,  in  the  county  of  Orange,  under  the  borrowed  title  of  Regu- 
lators, assuming  to  themselves  power  and  authorities  (unkuoAvn  to  the  Consti- 
tution), of  calling  public  officers  to  a  settlement,  together  with  a  narrative  of 
their  conduct,  and  detail  of  the  grievances  and  complaints  against  the  Clerk 
of  the  county,  Register,  and  other  public  officers,  whose  exactions  and  oppres- 
sions its  pretended  has  been  the  cause  of  the  late  insurrections  which  have 
disturbed  the  peace  of  that  part  of  the  country." 

These  papers  I  have,  agreeable  to  your  desire,  communicated  to  the  members 
of  his  Majesty's  Council,  who  having  taken  the  same  into  their  deliberate 
consideration,  unanimously  concur  with  me  in  opinion.  That  the  grievances 
complained  of  by  no  means  warrant  the  extraordinary  steps  you  have  taken, 
in  assembling  yourselves  together  in  arms,  to  the  obstruction  of  the  course  of 
justice,  to  the  insult  of  public  officers,  and  to  the  injury  of  private  property; 
measures,  as  they  manifestly  tend  to  the  subversion  of  the  constitution  of  this 
government,  would  inevitably,  if  carried  but  a  little  farther,  have  been  denomi- 
nated, and  must  have  been  treated  as  high  treason ;  and  consequently  have 
involved  the  abettors,  most  of  whom  I  am  satisfied  were  actuated  by  honest 
motives,  though  incautiously  drawn  in  to  concur  in  acts  that  might  have  ter- 
minated in  the  ruin  and  destruction  of  their  families,  while  by  illegal  means 
they  are  intent  on  exempting  themselves  from  evils,  within  the  remedy  of  the 
laws  of  their  country. 

Tnese  calamities,  I  trust,  are  now  removed  by  the  timely  proclamation  I 
sent  up  to  you  by  my  Secretary,  and  your  prudent  determination  to  petition 
me  in  council  for  the  redress  of  the  grievances  complained  of.  The  discreet 
and  steady  behavior  of  Colonel  Fanning,  and  the  officers  and  men  under  his 
command,  met  not  only  with  the  entire  approbation  of  myself  and  his  Majesty's 
Council,  but  will  ever  be  acknowledged  with  gratitude  by  every  well  wisher  to 
this  pi-ovince. 

I  take  this  opportunity  to  acquaint  all  those  whose  understandings  have 
been  run  away  with,  and  whose  passions  have  been  led  in  captivity  by  some 
evil  designing  men,  who,  actuated  by  cowardice  and  a  sense  of  that  public 
justice  which  is  due  to  their  crimes,  have  obscured  themselves  from  public 
view,  That  in  consideration  of  a  determination  to  abide  by  my  decision  in 
Council,  it  is  my  direction,  by  the  unanimous  advice  of  that  board,  that  you 
do,  from  henceforward,  desist  from  any  farther  meetings,  either  by  verbal 
appointment  or  advertisement.  That  all  titles  of  Regulators  or  Associators 
cease  among  you.  That  the  Sherifi"  and  other  officers  of  the  government  are 
permitted,  without  molestation,  to  execute  the  duties  of  their  respective  offices. 
And  that  all  breaches  of  the  peace  against  his  Majesty's  government  may  be 
determined  and  examined  in  a  due  course  of  law. 

It  is  by  your  strict  and  punctual  adherence  to  these  directions,  that  any 
farther  clemency,  on  my  part,  may  be  looked  for. 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  311 

This  was  the"  extent  of  what  I  authorized  Mr.  Edwards  to  declare  on  my 
behalf.  And  now  that  I  have  signified  to  you  the  sense  his  Majesty's  coun- 
cil entertain  of  the  nature  of  your  proceedings,  and  the  requisition  I  point 
out  by  their  advice  for  your  future  conduct — 

I  am  to  assure  you,  willing  as  I  am  to  listen  to  the  voice  of  distress,  the 
just  complaints  of  his  Majesty's  subjects,  and  the  hardships  they  may  groan 
under,  that  I  shall  give  his  Majesty's  Attorney-General  orders  to  prosecute 
every  officer  who  has  been  guilty  of  extortion  or  illegal  practices  in  his  office, 
upon  any  application  or  information  lodged  with  him  by  the  parties  injured, 
or  any  others  who  shall  be  authorized  to  prosecute  on  this  behalf.  As  also 
set  up  a  proclamation  on  my  arrival  at  Hillsborough,  forbidding  all  such  dis- 
honorable and  illegal  proceedings. 

You  may  further  depend  upon  it,  I  shall,  at  all  times,  endeavor  to  redress 
every  other  grievance  in  my  power  that  his  Majesty's  subjects  may  labor 
under. 

As  you  want  to  be  satisfied  what  is  the  amount  of  the  tax  for  the  public 
service  for  1767,  I  am  to  inform  you  it  is  seven  shillings  a  taxable,  besides 
the  county  and  parish  taxes,  the  particulars  of  which  I  will  give  to  Mr. 
Hunter. 

I  have  only  to  add  I  shall  be  up  at  Hillsborough  the  beginning  of  next 
month.  In  the  mean  time  I  rest  in  full  confidence  I  shall  again  be  made  happv 
by  seeing  industry  prevailing  over  factions,  and  peace  and  harmony  triumph- 
ing over  jealousies  and  murmuring  in  a  soil  and  climate  the  most  fertile  in 
the  world,  and  among  a  people  who,  by  a  well-directed  industry,  may  draw 
down  blessings  and  prosperity  to  their  families,  and  greatly  contribute  to  the 
honor  of  his  Majesty's  government,  and  the  happiness  of  my  administration. 

WILLIAM  TIIYON. 
At  the  Council-chamber, 

Brunswick,  the  2\st  of  June,  17G8. 

Now  to  give  some  clear  ideas  in  what  light  we  received  this  answer,  and  in 
what  condition  we  felt  ourselves  to  be  in,  it  is  necessary  to  inform  you  of  the 
bottom  of  our  jealousies,  and  the  method  we  intended  to  prosecute  for  redress. 

Our  jealousies  were  not  only  against  the  officers  of  our  own  country,  which 
our  papers  are  confined  to,  but,  in  our  converse  and  inquiry  by  the  best  cal- 
culatiuns  we  could  make,  and  by  several  hints  and  reports,  we  had  reason  to 
believe  we  had  already  paid  twenty  or  thirty  thousand  pounds  over  what 
would  sink  the  emission  of  our  paper  currency.  And  by  accounts  we  had 
still  afloat  sixty  thousand  pounds  ;  so  that  either  our  Assembly  had  been 
deficient  in  burning  it,  or  the  treasurers  in  accounting  ;  or  else  our  sheriffs 
in  paying  the  treasurers :  otherwise  some  counties  must  be  vastly  in  arrears. 

As  for  our  own  count}',  we  knew  it  had  paid  to  the  full.  Wo  were  of  opin- 
ion there  were  not  one  hundred  insolvents  a  year  in  our  county  out  of  from 
three  to  four  thousand.  But  to  question  the  Assembly  or  treasurers,  our 
officers  took  care  to  chide  us  for,  and  hinted  that  it  would  be  even  criminal 
to  suppose  such  a  thing,  for^they  were  men  of  such  credit,  and  such  a  body, 
as,  were  they  guilty,  more  than  one  must  be  combined  ;  and  such  a  thing 
could  not  be  supposed.  Well,  we  could  not  help  thinking  ;  so  we  intended 
that  if  our  own  representatives  would  help  us,  and  we  could  get  a  settlement 
of  our  own  officers,  and  if  the  deficiency  did  not  lay  there,  to  proceed  and 
lay  the  same  before  the  Assembly,  and  have  the  treasurers'  accounts  exam- 
ined. And  if  our  Assembly-men  refused  to  join  with  us,  then  to  petition  for 
new  elections,  &c. 

Now  by  the  time  we  got  this  answer  we  found  by  the  journals  of  the  House, 
that  the  public  accounts  were  really  unsettled,  by  a  motion  from  the  Governor 
to  them  on  that  head  ;  and  now  we  were  yet  more  alarmed,  for  as  we  under- 
stood the  motion,  he  hinted,  though  in  a  delicate,  soft  manner,  to  have  that 
authority  vested  in  the  Governor. 

Well,  the  more  that  we  discovered  things  out  of  order,  we  were  sensible 
the  stronger  we  should  be  opposed  ;  and  we  not  only  found  by  this  answer 
that  the  Governor  inclined  to  the  other  side,  multiplying  all  our  faults  to  the 

29 


312  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

highest  pitch  he  -n-as  capable  of;  and  -with  as  grea*  an  extreme  painting  the 
other  side  ;  and  -without  meeting  together,  which  he  strictly  forbid,  and  con- 
ferring together,  we  could  make  no  hand  either  in  carrying  elections,  or  re- 
presenting our  grievances.  Our  hands  were  fast  tied  from  any  relief  but  the 
law,  and  in  that  Avay  had  also  excused  himself  from  protecting  or  helping 
us,  any  farther  than  to  order  the  attorney  to  set  up  a  proclamation. 

Well,  under  this  difficulty  we  stood  still,  and  soon  saw  the  proclamation 
had  no  effect  at  all,  for  the  register,  or  his  clerk,  raised  in  their  fees  four 
pence  or  eight  pence,  upon  which  all  hopes  of  the  law  vanished,  and  every 
channel  and  passage  of  redress  was  stopped  and  shut  up.  However,  after 
some  time,  as  we  thought,  the  Governor  would  expect  some  return  to  this  let- 
ter, and  this  we  could  not  effect  without  breaking  his  orders,  so  we  appointed 
a  meeting  to  agree  upon  an  answer  ;  and  at  the  meeting  received  the  follow- 
ing letter  from  the  Governor,  viz. : — 

"  Gextlemex — In  strict  conformity  to  the  promise  I  made  you  in  my  let- 
ter, dated  from  the  council-chamber,  at  Brunswick,  I  issued  a  proclamation 
on  my  arrival  at  Hillsborough,  a  copy  of  which  I  herewith  transmit  to  you. 

"  I  also  gave  Mr.  Attorney-General  orders  to  prosecute  at  law  all  public 
officers  in  your  county  for  abuses  in  their  offices,  on  application  made  to  him 
by  or  in  behalf  of  the  parties  injured. 

"  It  is  now,  therefore,  my  advice  and  consent  that  Mr.  Tyree  Harris  wait 
on  you  to  proceed  in  the  collection  of  the  public  county  and  parochial  taxes 
of  Orange  County  for  the  year  1767. 

"  I  have  the  fullest  confidence  that  you  will,  agreeable  to  the  direction  of 
the  above-mentioned  letter  to  you,  and  in  justice  to  the  principles  of  your 
engagement  to  abide  my  decision  in  council,  make  it  a  matter  of  honor  and 
conscience  among  yourselves,  that  Mr.  Harris  and  his  deputies  shall  not 
meet  with  any  interruption  in  so  essential  and  an  immediately  necessary  a 
discharge  of  his  duty,  in  obedience  to  the  laws  of  this  country. 

WILLIAM  TRYON. 

HiLLSBORo',  August  1,  1768. 

Harris  asked  for  his  levy — and  we  told  him  we  had  agreed  to  lay  the  case 
before  the  Assembly  and  the  whole  of  the  Council  before  we  chose  to  pay  ; 
and  nobody  offered  him  the  least  insult. 

We  agreed  upon  an  answer  to  the  Governor's  first  letter,  and  ordered 
two  men  to  deliver  it  to  him,  which  they  did  the  5th  of  August :  but  we 
have  lost  the  copy.  However,  the  purport  of  it  may  be  seen  by  the  Governor's 
answer. 

Eut  on  Harris's  return  the  Governor's  officers  were  out  raising  the  militia 
round  the  town.  And  the  militia  kept  sending  messages  to  us  one  after 
another,  by  night  and  by  day,  what  orders  they  had  received,  which  was 
to  meet  such  a  day,  which  was  in  a  few  days,  and  to  bring  three  days' 
provision  and  nine  charges  of  ammunition.  These  alarms  run  night  and 
day,  and  caused  multitudes  of  the  people  to  gather  together,  who  chose  out 
eight  men,  and  sent  them  to  the  Governor.  The  men  returned  with  the  fol- 
lowing answer,  viz. : — 

"In  the  first  place,  the  Governor  declares  that  he  never  had  an  intention  to 
bring  down  Indians,  nor  of  raising  the  militia  in  order  to  break  in  upon  any 
settlement,  as  has  been  falsely  represented  ;  and  that  he  again  repeats  his 
firm  resolution  to  do  justice  to  the  people  in  everything  wherein  they  have 
been  injured,  as  far  as  is  in  his  power. 

"In  the  next  place.  Col.  Fanning  agrees  that  the  dispute  between  him  and 
the  people  shall  be  settled  at  the  next  Supream  Court ;  that  if  the  Chief 
Justice  and  his  Associates  give  judgment  against  him  on  the  trial  of  Mr. 
John  Lowes,  or  any  other  deed,  he  is  willing  and  shall  refund  the  full  sum, 
over  his  lawful  fees  which  he  has  taken,  to  every  man  who  shall  apply  to 
him,  bringing  his  deed  along  with  him  ;  and  that  they  shall  pay  no  cost. 

"  In  the  next  place  Mr.  Xash  agrees  to  the  same  thing,  with  respect  to  his 
clerk's  fees,  as  he  has  already  wrote  to  the  Regulators. 


ORAXGE  COUNTY.  313 

'*  In  the  last  place,  the  accounts  of  the  sheriffs,  with  the  vestry  and  the 
courts  for  the  parish  and  county  tax,  have  been  examined  and  approved,  and 
when  a  settlement  is  made  for  the  insolvents,  the  full  State,  in  the  same  man- 
ner, shall  be  pasted  up  in  the  court  house.   ■ 

"  The  Governor  will  give  no  directions  for  the  sheriff  to  proceed  in  his  col- 
lection till  after  the  Supream  Court." 

At  the  same  time  he  appointed  the  Regulators  to  meet  on  the  17th  day  of 
August,  at  George  Sally's,  where  the  sheriffs  were  to  attend  with  their  settle- 
ment, and  give  satisfaction  to  the  public  on  the  said  17th  of  August. 

We  met,  but  none  of  the  past  sheriffs  came.  John  Lea,  the  new  sheriff, 
came,  and  brought  a  letter  from  the  Governor,  viz. : — 

"  Atigiist  Uth,  17G8. 

"  Gentlemen — I  had  every  reasonable  hope  that  my  letter  to  you  from  the 
council-chamber,  the  21st  of  June,  would  have  given  you  not  only  the  most 
cordial  satisfaction,  but  have  prompted  you  with  the  most  ardent  zeal  to 
have  immediately  subscribed  to  every  direction  contained  therein,  conform- 
able to  the  declared  resolution  in  your  address  to  me. 

"  It  is  with  a  sincere  regret  I  at  this  time  reflect  on  the  disobedient  and 
ungrateful  return  you  have  made  me,  both  by  your  disregard  to  every  part 
of  direction  in  the  above-mentioned  letter,  and  your  refusal  to  pay  your 
public  levies  to  Mr.  Harris,  late  sheriff,  who  demanded  them  of  you  on  the 
second  of  this  month  at  a  general  meeting,  in  virtue  of  his  legal  powers, 
and  in  compliance  with  the  letter  I  sent  you  by  him,  urging  the  immediate 
payment  thereof. 

"  The  candor  with  which  I  treated  the  rash  and  precipitate  stejjs  of 
your  past  conduct,  and  the  just  means  and  effectual  measures  I  pointed 
out  for  removing  the  causes  of  complaint,  would  have  given  ample  satisfac- 
tion to  every  man  who  petitioned  me  with  an  intention  to  be  satisfied  with 
justice. 

'•  By  your  letter  delivered  me  the  5th  instant  by  Messrs.  Low  and  Hunter, 
I  have  the  mortification  to  find  every  lenient  measure  of  mine  has  been  per- 
verted, and  the  friendly  aid  I  offered  to  correct  the  abuses  in  public  ofiicers, 
which  it  was  my  duty  to  tender,  considered  by  you  as  insufficient. 

"  The  force  of  the  proclamation  was  to  caution  public  officers  against,  and 
prevent  as  much  as  possible,  extortion.  It  is  the  province  of  the  Courts  of 
law  to  judge  and  punish  the  extortioner.  The  dissatisfaction  also  you  ex- 
press, that  your  address  and  papers  were  not  laid  before  the  whole  council, 
is  equally  groundless,  with  your  declarations  of  the  insufficiency  of  the  pro- 
clamation. 

"  By  his  Majesty's  commission  and  instruction,  three  counsellors  make  a 
board ;  and  with  five  members  business  may  be  transacted  of  the  highest 
dignity.  Whereas  six  gentlemen  of  the  council  were  present  when  your 
address  and  papers  were  laid  before  that  board. 

''The  resolutions  you  have  taken  to  petition  the  legislative  body  is  ex- 
treamly  agreeable  to  me  ;  my  services  on  that  occasion  shall  not  be  wanting 
to  redress  any  real  grievance.* 

"  It  is  necessary  I  should  now  inform  you,  in  humanity  to  your  misguided 
passion,  and  in  justice  to  the  integrity  of  my  intentions,  that  you  are  pur- 
suing measures  highly  criminal  and  illegal — and  it  is  a  circumstance  of 
real  aflliction  to  me,  since  I  consider  you  as  acting  upon  principles  no 
less  void  of  faith  and  honor,  than  inconsistent  with  every  moral  and  religious 
duty. 

"  You  have  given  occasion  to  every  man  of  property  and  probity  by  the 

*  This  far  relates  to  our  letter,  which  copy  we  have  lost,  but  the  purport,  as  I  hinted 
before,  may  be  gathered  from  the  answer,  and  what  I  will  now  observe :  That  is,  we 
did  not  complain  that  there  was  not  a  sufficient  number  to  do  business,  but  that  our 
thanks  would  been  more  had  he  called  the  whole  council ;  and  we  not  only  thought 
so,  but  likewise  both  thought  and  expected  he  would  have  called  the  Assembly  ou  the 
occasion.    Which  we  now  recommend  in  order  to  strengthen  him  to  help  us. 


314  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

open,  unreserved  menaces  you  have  thrown  out  against  the  lives  and  proper- 
ties of  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  country,  to  look  on  your  designs 
as  bent  rather  upon  destroying  the  peace  of  this  government,  and  the  secu- 
rity of  its  inhabitants,  than  a  wish  or  intention  to  wait  for  any  legal  process 
against  those  you  imagine  have  abused  their  publick  trusts. 

"Upon  these  alarming  prospects  I  esteem  it  my  duty  to  provide  for  the 
safety  of  the  government,  and  to  take  care  that  the  publick  receive  no  damage  ; 
to  prevent,  therefore,  as  much  as  possible  the  heavy  expense  that  must  ac- 
crue to  the  province,  by  providing  against  the  insults  that  are  intended  to  be 
offered  to  his  Majesty's  Superior  Court  of  Justice,  I  am  peremptorily  to  re- 
quire on  your  part  that  at  least  twelve  of  your  principals,  and  those  of  the 
first  property,  wait  upon  me  at  Salisbury,  on  Thursday  the  25th  of  this 
month,  and  there  in  my  presence  execute  a  bond  in  the  sum  of  one  thou- 
sand pounds,  as  a  security  that  no  rescue  shall  be  made  of  William  Butler 
and  Herman  Husbands,  at  the  Superior  Court  at  Hillsborough,  they  being 
under  recognizance  then  to  appear  and  take  their  trials. 

WILLIAM  TRYON." 

We  sent  him  the  following  answer,  viz, : — 

August  im,  1768. 
May  it  please  your  Excellency — 

We  received  your  letter  by  the  hand  of  Mr.  Lea,  at  the  only  time  that  ever 
our  officers  showed  any  real  intentions  of  informing  us  to  what  use  our 
money  is  applied,  and  at  a  time  when  we  had  hopes  and  were  porswaded 
matters  were  likely  to  be  settled  to  the  peace  and  satisfaction  of  the  publick. 

But  finding  by  your  letter  that  your  Excellency  is  displeased,  and  charges 
us  with  breach  of  honour,  and  that  we  have  given  occasion  to  be  looked  on 
as  rather  bent  upon  destroying  the  peace  of  this  government  than  to  wait  for 
justice — 

At  all  which  we  are  truly  affected  with  sorrow  and  concern  at  the  thoughts 
of  any  difference  arising  between  your  Excellency  and  us,  and  that  (as 
through  false  reports  and  alarms,  the  commonality,  under  oppression,  have 
been  incensed,  and  occasion  given)  we  determine  to  use  our  utmost  en- 
deavors to  guard  against  such  offences  for  the  future. 

Amidst  our  sorrow  we  are  rejoiced  in  this  to  find  that  your  Excellency  is 
agreeable  to  our  resolutions  to  petition  the  legislative  body,  which  is  gene- 
rally agreed  on. 

As  to  the  demand  for  security  not  to  rescue  the  prisoners,  we  beg  that  it 
may  be  considered  that  the  alarms  or  raising  men  and  Indians  to  cut  off  the 
inhabitants  of  this  county  as  rebels,  when  they  knew  in  their  hearts  and 
consciences  they  were  guilty  of  no  other  crime  but  endeavoring  to  obtain 
justice,  and  detect  fraudulent  practices  in  the  ofiicers,  which  has  been  so 
common  in  this  province,  that  it  is  mentioned  in  many  acts  of  Assembly 
made  to  remedy  the  same,  which  constantly  prove  unsuccessful,  and  we  con- 
ceive ever  will  be  so — until  the  publick  is  encouraged  to  assist  and  help  by 
complaining  and  producing  matters  of  fiict  against  the  particulars.  Now 
these  alarms  were  thought  by  the  most  considerate  to  be  without  good 
grounds,  and  such  interposed,  moderated,  and  pacified  the  whole;  and  those, 
it  is  likelj',  may  be  looked  on  as  the  principals  or  leading  men.  And  such 
as  these  will  ever  use  the  same  care,  and  will,  no  doubt,  be  able  to  govern 
the  multitude  by  reason  ;  and  yet  not  one  of  them  would  be  willing  to  enter 
into  bonds,  for  the  noise  of  such  a  step  would  be  likely  to  hinder  their  in- 
fluence. 

Moreover  there  never  was  any  intent  to  rescue  the  prisoners,  but  to  beg 
the  Governor  to  dissolve  the  Assembly ;  and  so  far  as  we  know  the  minds  of 
the  people,  in  general,  this  one  step  alone  would  at  once  stop  every  mouth 
and  every  complaint,  but  what  would  go  through,  and  by  way  of  such  repre- 
sentatives as  should  then  be  chosen. 

As  the  Governor  may  observe  by  the  detail  of  all  our  proceedings  that  it 
was  the  representatives  refusing  us  a  conference,  and  threatening  us  for  re- 
questing one,  and  frightening  and  deterring  us  from  petitioning  for  redress, 
that  first  gave   occasion  fur  disorder;  therefore  as  the   stopping  the  free 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  315 

passage  of  this  channel  for  redress,  has  occasioned  the  obstruction  of  good 
order,  so  the  opening  of  which  passage  -will  as  assuredly  restore  it  again. 
Signed  in  behalf  of  the  Kegulators  by  _^ ^^^^^  ^^^^^^^^ 

PETER  JULIAN, 
THOMAS  WELBUPvN. 

It  was  false  before  that  the  Governor  did  not  attempt  to  raise  the  militia, 
it  was  true  now  ;  for  finding  he  could  not  trust  the  militia  of  our  country, 
he  tried  all  over  the  province  ;  and  witli  what  pains  and  false  representations 
of  us,  is  best  known  to  the  inhabitants  everywhere  among  whom  he  apphed. 
It  was  said  he  represented  us  as  a  faction  of  Quakers  and  Baptists,  who 
aimed  to  overset  the  Church  of  England,  &c. 

This  caused  us  to  view  ourselves,  when  we  found  our  body  to  consist  pro- 
miscuously of  all  sects,  and  the  men  who  we  put  most  trust  in  were  of  the 
Church  of  England  communion.  In  short,  every  honest  man  who  was  not 
deterred  by  fear  and  cowardice  was  on  our  side.  The  formality  of  sub- 
scribing articles  or  swearing  had  never  been  in  use  since  the  Governor's 
Secretary  met  us ;  and  to  prevent  mobs  and  riots  was  our  chief  study,  as 
they  were  the  only  things  we  feared  our  enemies  could  get  an  advantage 
against  us  in,  and  what  we  believed  they  endeavored  to  drive  the  popu- 
lace to. 

AH  this  preparation  of  the  Governor's  put  us  to  it  for  a  while  to  rule  the 
inconsiderate,  they  looking  on  it  as  the  Governor  chose  the  sword,  that  they 
were  at  liberty  to  defend  themselves  ;  and  the  prisoners  they  were  afraid  to 
trust  to  a  trial,  lest  they  might  hang  them  by  an  arbitrary  power  ;  so  it  was 
at  length  agreed  the  prisoners  should  not  appear,  and  every  man  to  be  left  at 
his  liberty  to  go  to  the  court  as  well  armed  or  not  as  he  pleased ;  but  not  to 
use  them  nor  oifer  the  least  insult,  unless  an  attempt  was  made  to  massacre 
us  ;  and  that  if  they  could  not  ofier  such  terms  as  the  Governor  and  country 
could  come  to  an  agreement  in  peace,  to  return  home,  and  leave  the  Gover- 
nor to  fight  the  air. 

AVe  had  very  little  good  opinion  of  the  Governor  now ;  for  when  the  Sec- 
retary agreed  we  should  petition  the  Governor,  and  we  had  advertised  it,  and 
for  them  who  had  material  grievances  to  get  them  attested  before  a  magis- 
trate, yet  the  ofiicers,  when  they  found  their  mistake,  as  I  mentioned  before, 
soon  scared  all  the  magistrates  but  one,  that  they  would  give  no  person  his 
qualification.  And  though,  when  Hunter  mentioned  this  in  the  council  at 
Brunswick,  the  reply  was  that  it  was  a  weak  thing  in  them  to  act  so  ;  yet  this 
one  who  had  served  us  was  now  so  talked  to  by  the  Governor  himself,  that  he 
refused  also. 

The  Governor  soon  found  he  could  not  trust  the  militia,  they  were  so  gene- 
rally attached  to  our  side.  So  he  swore  every  man  with  an  odd  kind  of  an 
oath  ;  and  in  many  places  the  inhabitants  being  so  alarmed,  took  our  me- 
thod, and  assembled  themselves  together  to  consult  one  another  what  to  do  ; 
and  some  put  their  resolutions  in  writing,  viz. : — 

Orange  County,  August  l^th,  1768. 

"  The  critical  afi'airs  in  public  has  caused  us  to  meet  to  consult  what  is  our 
duty.  We  have  been  warned  to  go  against  a  set  of  people  called  Regulators, 
under  the  term  of  being  enemies.  AVe  look  on  them  as  loyal  subjects,  acting 
for  the  good  of  our  country.  Until  they  are  proved  enemies,  we  don't  think 
it  our  duty  to  go  against  them.  We  hear  a  rumor  of  being  fined  for  not  ap- 
pearing against  these  our  brethren  and  neighbors,  which  we  desire  to  oppose 
until  ifcan  be  made  appear  it  is  our  duty — and  their  articles  are  proved  con- 
trary to  law.  And  we  design  to  apply  to  his  Excellency,  our  Governor,  to 
hear  our  grievances  in  case  we  are  fined." 

By  the  date  and  purport  of  this  paper,  it  looks  as  though  there  had  been 
truth  in  these  alarms  mentioned  in  our  last  letter  dated  this  same  day,  which 
we  have  therein  allowed  to  have  been  false.  I  never  observed  this  before  I 
was  preparing  it  for  the  press. 


316  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Morris  Moore,  one  of  our  Associate  Judges,  having  encouraged  the  Regu- 
lators to  stand  firm  to  the  cause,  in  a  manner  I  suppose  every  honest  man  in 
the  province  would  have  desired  to  have  done  if  they  were  not  frightened  out 
of  it,  as  was  attempted  on  Moore,  as  may  be  seen  by  his  letter  to  Colonel 
Fanning. 

Springfield,  Aug^ist  the  VltJi,  1768. 
To  Colonel  Edmond  Faning  : 

Dear  Sir — "  As  much  as  I  hate  writing  I  am  determined  to  scratch  this 
side  down,  with  a  bad  pen  and  worse  ink,  on  the  subject  of  the  insurrection 
in  your  county,  which  I  am  sorry  to  hear  has  grown  formidable,  and  much 
more  so  that  it  is  a'scribed  to  me  as  its  author  and  encourager. 

"  I  have  been  calumniated  before  now,  but  never  so  capitally  as  in  this 
case. 

"  I  assure  you  it  gives  me  much  concern,  in  spight  of  the  consolation  a  clear 
conscience  affords  me. 

"  I  never  knew  or  even  saw,  as  I  know  of,  in  all  my  life,  any  man  or  men 
concerned  in  this  unlucky  affair,  except  Hunter  and  Howell ;  and  I  made 
you  fully  acquainted  with  the  advice  I  gave  them  :  but  I  shall  say  no  more 
on  this  head.  I  have  blackened  my  page,  and  must  conclude  my  letter  with 
assuring  you,  I  esteem  you,  and  am 

Your  most  obedient,  &c. 

M.  MOORE. 

On  the  first  day  of  the  Supream  Court  which  was  at  Hillsborough,  on  the 
22d  day  of  September,  1708,  we  appeared  about  three  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred, and  took  up  about  half  a  mile  from  the  town,  and  sent  our  propo- 
sals to  the  Governor ;  which  was,  that  if  he  would  let  us  peaceably  come 
into  town  to  complain  of  our  officers,  and  pardon  all  past  breaches  of  the 
peace  (except  the  two  under  bail,  who  would  stand  their  trials),  we  would 
pay  our  levies  as  usual,  &c. 

Now  we  knew  of  no  other  concession  he  could  want  of  us.  But  the  next 
day  he  sent  his  answer  that  every  man  must  give  up  his  gun  in  pledge,  till 
the  prisoners  were  tried  ;  upon  which  we  immediately  returned,  except  about 
thirty,  who  carried  him  their  guns. 

As  to  the  proceedings  of  the  court,  we  being  debarred  from  being  there, 
can  give  you  no  better  information  than  that  one  of  the  prisoners  drew  up  in 
vindication  of  his  own  case.  Only,  we  may  add,  that  a  whole  troop  of  Bomb 
Sheriffs  came  after  us  next  day  to  take  such  as  they  had  orders  for  back,  and 
wheie  they  met  with  quiet  peaceable  men,  they  went  along,  but  some  of  a 
contrary  disposition  used  some  of  them  very  rough.  All  those  who  went 
along  the  bills  were  all  found  ignoramus. 

The  case  of  Herman  Husbands,  prisoner  aforesaid,  is  as  follows : — 

On  the  second  day  of  May,  a  little  after  sunrise,  ten  or  a  dozen  men,  armed 
with  guns  and  pistols,  entered  the  back  door  of  my  house  ;  and  Thomas  Hart 
took  hold  of  me,  and  said  you  are  the  king's  prisoner. 

I  asked  upon  what  account.  He  said  on  suspicion  of  having  a  hand  in 
the  mob. 

They  hurried  me  off  without  letting  my  wife  fetch  me  some  money,  when 
I  called  to  her  for  some.  In  about  two  miles  they  come  up  to  where  Colonel 
Faning  was  waiting  for  them.  He  asked  me,  stutteringly,  and  with  visible 
confusion,  why  I  did  not  come  to  see  him  in  so  long  a  time.  I  told  him  I 
knew  no  call  I  had.  He  said,  well  you'll  come  along  now.  I  said  I  sup- 
pose I  must.  lie  said  ay  ;  well— and  set  off  to  town,  where  William  Butler 
and  I  were  put  into  a  fort,  mounted  with  two  swivel  guns,  under  a  strong 
guard,  and  after  some  hours  took  me  out  before  Thomas  Lloyd,  who  read  a 
paper  of  somebody  having  informed  there  was  cause  of  suspicion  that  I  had 
a  hand  in  the  mob. 

I  told  him  I  had  not.  Then  he  swore  Col.  Faning,  who  said  he  formerly 
had  received  a  paper,  summoning  him  to  appear  at  a  mill,  and  he  thought 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  317 

it  was  my  hand — and  he  had  received  papers  from  the  mob,  which  referred 
to  that  paper. 

Then  John  Hogan  was  swore  ;  who  said  I  had  confessed  I  had  been  at 
some  meetings  of  the  mob. 

Thomas  Lloyd  then  ordered  me  to  prison,  and  William  Butler  was  put  in 
with  me,  where  we  lay  till  about  midnight,  when  we  were  taken  out  and  tied 
hand  and  foot,  and  many  telling  us  we  would  be  hanged,  Butler  especially, 
if  I  escaped.  It  came  into  my  mind  that  if  I  made  Col.  Faning  some  pro- 
mises he  would  let  me  go.  So  on  my  motion  he  was  sent  for,  who  signified  to 
me  he  had  been  asleep,  and  was  called  and  told  I  wanted  to  see  him,  and 
he  had  come  to  see  what  I  wanted  with  him. 

Says  I  if  I  may  go  home,  I  will  promise  not  to  concern  myself  any  more 
whether  you  take  too  large  fees  or  not,  &c.  It  took  with  him,  and,  after  huming^ 
a  little,  he  repeated  over  what  I  must  promise,  which,  as  near  as  I  can  re- 
member, was  to  this  effect: — 

■  "  You  promise  never  to  give  your  opinion  of  the  laws,  nor  frequent  as- 
sembling yourself  among  people,  nor  show  any  jealousies  of  the  officers 
taking  extortionary  fees ;  and  if  you  hear  any  others  speaking  disrespect- 
fully, or  hinting  any  jealousies  of  that  nature  of  officers,  that  you  reprove  and 
caution  them,  and  that  you  will  tell  the  people  you  are  satisfied  all  the 
taxes  are  agreeable  to  law,  and  do  everything  in  your  power  to  moderate  and 
pacify  them." 

All  which  I  promised,  with  a  particular  exception,  that  when  any  election 
was  on  hand,  I  reserved  liberty  to  assemble  myself  among  people,  and  to 
have  liberty  to  converse,  and  to  this  he  said,  to  be  sure. 

This  was  so  barefaced,  that  as  there  was  twenty  or  thirty  of  the  country  peo- 
ple to  guard  us,  I  looked  every  minute  for  them  to  cry  out  and  release  us.* 

But  Faning  went  and  walked  to  and  fro  a  few  minutes-  by  himself,  then 
came  to  us  and  said,  we  must  enter  into  bail;  so  some  of  themselves  bailed 
me,  and  took  me  fur  Butler's  bail.  They  had  exceeding  hard  work  before 
Butler  would  consent,  when  they  told  him  very  seriously,  that  if  he  went  to 
Newborn,  he  actually  would  be  hanged.  He  paused  awhile,  and  said,  I  have 
but  one  life,  and  I  freely  can  give  that  up  for  this  cause,  for  God  above 
knows,  our  cause  is  just;  and  he  did  not  consent  at  last,  till  Fanning  promised 
to  clear  him  at  the  court  without  cost. 

It  was  now  daybi-eak,  and  about  sunrise  we  got  the  recognizances  done, 
and  was  hurried  away  to  stop  the  people  from  coming  after  us. 

Now,  when  the  Governor  and  country  fell  out,  and  he  got  to  enlisting  and 
swearing  men,  and  Morris  Moore's  letter  was  handed  about  to  show  he  was 
scared,  1  concluded  to  sell  my  land,  and  raise  money  to  clear  my  bail,  and  so 
leave  the  Province,  for  I  was  now  left  alone ;  the  Regulators,  some  of  them 
insulted  me,  that  if  I  did  not  join  now,  they  would  let  the  Governor  do  as  he 
pleased  with  me. 

I  was  for  my  safety  obliged  to  abscond  from  them  as  well  as  the  Governor, 
and  took  the  woods  for  two  weeks,  and  had  got  fifteen  miles  from  my  habita- 
tion, and  had  sent  for  my  horse,  clothes,  and  money,  to  set  off  in  a  day  or 

*  I  was  not  so  much  mistaken  here  in  the  people  as  I  was  afterwards  informed,  for 
they  had  messengers  coming:  and  going  all  night,  carrying  intelligence  to  the  country  be- 
low town,  who  were  gathering  in  companies  on  every  part  of  the  road,  to  watch  their 
motions,  for  there  were  people  below  town  who  had  been  led  into  the  secret  of  their  de- 
signs, which  was  absolutely  to  hang  two  or  three  of  us,  at  all  events,  to  scare  the  rest. 
And  these  plans  were  laid  down  below,  and  these  orders  sent  up  for  our  ollicers  to  bring 
down  two  or  three  of  us.  Tliey  had  attempted  this  same  thing  before,  while  Faning 
was  below,  in  a  more  formidable  manner,  for  they  had  ordered  several  captains  below 
town,  to  have  companies  under  them  on  the  road  at  several  stages,  and  appointed  a  mus- 
ter above  town,  at  which  muster  they  were  to  pick  out  such  a  number  as  were  suitable,  and 
go  and  take  two  or  three,  and  with  all  speed  convey  them  below  town,  and  deliver  them 
to  these  t'resh  comjianies  staged  there,  to  prevent  being  overtaken.  Nothing  but  the 
baseness  of  their  design  could  have  given  them  such  suspicions  of  being  followed.  How- 
ever, some  cute  fellows  at  the  muster  above  town,  raised  a  report  that  three  hundred 
Regulators  were  seen  to  cross  Ilaw  River  that  morning,  and  the  companies,  olficers  and 
all,  each  took  his  own  road,  and  made  the  best  of  their  way  home. 


318  HISTORY  or  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

two  This  messenjrer,  luckily  for  the  Province,  met  John  Wilcocks  at  my 
house  and  my  wife  ventured  to  inform  him  where  he  might  see  me.  He 
gave  me  encouragement  to  stand  trial,  by  assuring  me  a  great  number  of 
good  honest  gentlemen  was  coming  up  to  see  that  justice  should  be  done,  and 

among  the  rest  a  lawyer.  ,  .,     ,  ,  -r.  i  i.  x    x         x 

Wilcocks  left  me  at  John  Pyle's,  while  he  and  Pyle  went  to  town  to  see 
if  the  lawyer,  or  any  of  them  had  come ;  but  Faning  could  tell  them  the  law- 
yer was  not  a  coming,  and  ordered  him  and  Pyle  out  of  town. 

Upon  this,  Wilcocks  was  almost  outdone,  but  engaged  me  to  stay  till  he 
rid  down  to  Cross  Creek,  to  meet  or  hear  what  had  become  of  them.  He 
never  returned  till  the  night  before  court,  and  heard  nothing  of  his  lawyer  or 
friends ;  but  by  fair  promises  from  some  of  the  council  and  head  officers,  and 
the  kind's  attorney,  that  I  should  get  justice,  he  would  have  me  venture,  and 
had  orders  from  the  Attorney-General  for  me  not  to  come  into  town,  but  stay 
among  the  Regulators  till  he  came  out  to  us. 

After  the  Attorney-General  had  come  out,  the  Regulators  would  not  let  me 
go  into  town,  unless  everybody  had  liberty  to  go,  as  usual  in  all  courts,  and 
Wilcocks  being  discouraged,  consented  to  let  me  go  off,  and  when  it  was  dark, 
he  accompanied  me  some  of  the  way,  but  as  soon  as  we  got  from  among  the 
crowd,  he  rid  on  before  very  silent  for  some  time,  and  clapped  his  hand  on 
his  thi'gh,  and  cried  out  aloud,  "  The  Lord  have  mercy  on  me,  the  whole  Pro- 
vince is  undone !  Good  God — that  ever  I  was  born !" 

This,  and  the  like,  he  repeated  several  times,  after  intervals  of  silence. 
I  wanted  to  hear  if  he  would  reflect  anything  on  me,  but  when  I  found  he 
had  not,  and  being  convinced  his  sight  of  the  advantage  my  going  away 
would  give  our  enemies,  I  consulted  in  myself  what  to  do  ;  I  had  no  point  to 
determine,  but  whether  to  risk  my  life  or  not;  here  was  the  ruin  of  the 
Province  for  certain  put  in  one  scale,  a  risk  of  losing  my  life  by  false  arbi- 
trary proceedings  in  the  other;  and  the  safety  of  the  privileges,  and  the 
liberties  of  the  people  soon  outweighed.  So  I  rid  up  a  little  nearer  to  Wil- 
cocks, and  waited  till  he  gave  another  cry  to  lament  the  case  ;  then  I  asked 
him  if  he  was  of  the  mind  I  had  best  stand  trial  yet ;  he  says  yes,  and  I  will 
go  with  you,  and  stand  by  you  to  the  last — which  I  sincerely  believe  he  was 
confident  at  that  time  to  perform,  as  Peter  ever  was.  And  I  also  confided  in 
him  that  I  had  one  friend. 

But  now  again,  after  we  took  up  Camp,  and  spent  great  part  of  the  night 
in  telling  him  how  they  had  carried  on  matters,  and  he  viewing,  I  suppose, 
Avhat  he  had  seen,  got  a  sight  that  a  snare  was  laid  for  my  life,  which  he  put 
to  me  to  let  him  know  if  I  had  any  apprehension  that  way,  that  hewould  by 
no  means  be  the  cause  of  persuading  me  into  any  danger  of  that  kind. 

I  told  him  not  to  say  a  word  on  that  head,  for  my  resolutions  were  fixed, 
and  had  I  more  than  one  life  to  lose,  they  were  unalterable. 

When  we  came  into  town  next  morning,  before  an  hour,  I  clearly  dis- 
covered by  Wilcocks'  countenance  that  he  was  scared  ;  but  death  nor  nothing 
else  could  now  alter  my  resolutions  to  stand  the  test ;  and  Wilcocks  m:ide  a 
motion  to  me  to  fee  a  lawyer.  And  when  I  went  to  them  in  this  condition, 
for  though  my  senses  remained  good,  yet  property  felt  to  me  of  no  value,  for 
(it  is  a  very  true  saying,  that  all  a  man  has  he  will  give  for  his  life)  they 
soon  got  all  the  money  I  had,  and  bonds  and  notes  for  £150  more. 

But  when  Wilcocks  came  to  know  I  had  given  so  much,  he  called  me  fool, 
and  seemed  grieved,  from  which  I  was  in  hopes  he  had  got  over  his  fright. 

But  the  next  morning  I  received  the  following  letter  from  him,  by  the  hand 
of  a  ragged  boy,  whom  I  knew  not,  viz. : — 

To  Mr.  Husband. 

September  23,  at  Mr.  Gate's. 
Sir — I  have  been  ordered  out  of  town  under  pretence  of  being  concerned 
with  the  Regulators,  which  probably  may  surprise  you  again  ;  but  I  hope 
you  will  take  resolution,  and  not  be  scared  by  our  enemy,  which  is  their  only 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  319 

scheme  to  defeat  us ;  but  you  may  depend  I  shall  send  somebody  in  to  be 
youi-  security  in  case  a  bill  should  be  found  against  you. 

Sir,. your  sincere  friend  and  humble  servant, 

JOHN  WILCOCKS. 

■  Now  I  had  not  one  friend  left,  and  I  rid  some  miles  out  into  the  country  to 
get  some  word  sent  to  my  own  neighborhood,  if  possible,  to  get  some  of  them 
to  come  and  be  evidences  for  me,  as  well  as  to  prosecute  officers  ;  for  I  equally 
saw  our  cause  lost,  if  we  did  not  make  something  appear  this  Court  against 
them. 

There  I  met  with  another  letter  from  Wilcocks  to  the  Attorney-General,  by 
which  I  found  I  need  look  for  no  help  from  that  cjuarter,  for  any  trust  that 
he  put  in  the  Attorney-General,  I  was  now  persuaded  would  fail.  The  letter 
was  as  follows : — 

To  Mr.  M' Glare,  Attorney-General. 

September,  1768. 

Sir — This  serves  to  inform  you  there  was  occasion  for  my  leaving  town 
in  a  few  minutes  warning.  I  must  think  I  am  very  ill  rewarded  for  all  the 
fatigue  and  care,  with  the  risk  of  my  life  and  estate,  in  order,  and  for  no  other 
end  but  to  accommodate  so  dangerous  a  dispute. 

As  I  had  no  other  occasion  to  be  security  for  Husbands,  but  to  prevent  mis- 
chief, you,  with  the  Court,  cannot  be  unacquainted  with  my  industry  in  the 
matter,  and  of  their  encouragement  to  me  for  that  purpose,  which  I  faithfully 
acted  as  far  as  capable.  However  envy  and  malice  may  represent  me  to  the 
Governor  or  Court,  I  am  ready  to  answer  for  when  called  on.  That  you 
wont  let  me  suffer  for  my  good  intent,  and  encourage  Husbands  to  stand  his 
ground  till  I  am  released  of  his  security ;  and  if  he  is  found  guilty,  that 
security  may  be  found  for  him  till  trial. 

Sir,  your  humble  servant, 

JOHN  WILCOCKS. 

It  was  on  a  Sunday  that  I  got  this  letter,  having,  as  I  said,  rid  out  some 
miles  to  send  to  my  own  neighborhood,  but  was  oljliged  to  get  a  pass  before 
I  could  get  out  of  town.  I  could  not  even  walk  the  streets  about  the  Court- 
house without  being  insulted  at  every  turn.  The  soldiers  thrusting  their 
bayonets  at  me  within  a  few  inches  of  my  body,  and  dragging  me  once  into 
a  public  house,  setting  me  upon  a  table,  and  surrounding  me  with  a  ring, 
made  sport  of  me,  which,  after  a  half  or  quarter  of  an  hour  at  least,  I  observed 
John  Ash,  who  was  the  commanding  officer,  reach  forth  his  hand  to  push 
some  of  them  from  me,  and  says,  "  Hold,  don't  carry  the  joke  too  far." 

I  catched  hold  of  his  sleeve,  and  when  he  looked  on  me,  I  asked  him  if  I 
was  at  liberty.  Says  he,  "  You  have  been  under  no  confinement."  Then  I 
pushed  my  way  through  them  ;  and  to  help  Mr.  Ash's  memory,  as  I  hear  he 
denies  this,  he  came  to  me  in  the  street,  and  asked  me  why  I  had  asked  him 
if  I  was  at  liberty.  Because,  says  I,  John  Wilcocks  had  told  me  thou  was 
the  Commanding  Officer. 

The  pass  was  as  follows,  viz. : — 

Sir — Permit  Mr.  Herman  Husbands  to  pass  your  guard  and  sentinels. 

I  am,  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

THOMAS  LLOYD,  Major- General. 

To  the  Officer  of  the  Guard  at  the  West  End  of  Hillsboro'.  Saturday  noon. 

The  following  is  the  qualification  of  Peter  Savory,  who,  at  this  campaign 
bore  the  title  of  Captain  Savory,  for  I  had  observed  him  to  look  at  some  of 
the  soldiers. 

His  evidence  is  as  follows,  viz  : — • 

Orange  County,  ss: — 
This  day  came  Feter  Savory  before  me,  and  made  oath,  that  at  last  Septem- 


320  HISTORY  OP  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

her  Superior  Court,  he  saw  several  young  men  a  pushing  their  bayonets 
towards  Herman  Husbands,  but  did  not  know  them  to  touch  him. 
Certified  under  my  hand,  this  25th  day  of  March,  17^9. 

JOHN  PRYOR. 

On  Mondij  morning  two  or  three  of  my  neighbors  had  come,  and  as  soon 
as  Court  sat,  ColowfA  Fanning  accused  me  of  crimes  committed  since  I  had 
entered  into  the  recognizances,  and  signified  they  were  of  so  high  a  nature  as 
concerned  my  life. 

Hereupon  I  was  committed  to  prison.  And  the  first  salutation  I  received 
from  the  prisoners,  was  their  pointing  to  a  gallows,  erected  between  two 
Joyces  of  the  prison,  right  over  the  middle  of  the  floor  ;  and  the  prison  was 
new  built,  of  a  higher  pitch  than  usual,  and  forted  round. 

Here  were  nine  or  ten  prisoners.  Most  on  account  of  the  regulation,  and 
the  prison  so  little,  that  wo  could  not  all  lay  down  at  once.  The  remembrance 
of  what  I  had  read  of  Inquisitions,  East  India  Imprisonments,  &c.,  was  now 
very  fresh  in  my  mind. 

At  night,  William  Butler  and  me  was  sent  for,  and  there  were  some  men 
procured  to  be  our  bail ;  but  when  I  got  out  I  found  my  neighbors  and 
evidences  were  all  gone.  If  property  was  of  no  value  to  me  before,  it  was 
less  now  ;  I  looked  on  myself  as  a  captive  among  enemy  Indians,  Nabobs  or 
Lord  Inquisitors.  I  tried  the  lawyers  whether  they  were  fond  of  greater 
obligations,  and,  as  I  hinted  before,  my  senses  was  good  enough  ;  and  I  re- 
membered the  story  of  the  beaver,  that  when  he  was  chased  for  his  stones, 
cut  them  out,  and  threw  them  away.  So  I  gave  them  what  notes  or  bonds 
they  pleased  to  write,  for  I  never  read  or  examined  a  word  in  them. 

At  next  Superior  Court,  before  my  trial  came  on,  these  obligations  were 
demanded  of  me  ;  but  I  denied  payment  of  them,  as  I  looked  on  them  to  be 
of  no  force,  and  the  lawyers  urged  honor  in  the  case. 

Upon  which  I  told  them  to  quit  the  obligations,  and  I  would  pay  them  as 
much  as  I  could  do  with  honor,  and  without  being  laughed  at  for  a  fool. 

However,  they  have  sued  for  the  obligations ;  and  for  the  information  of 
the  public,  and  all  concerned  for  justice,  I  would  inform  them  that  our  Law, 
by  Chaji.  IV.  in  Section  the  2d,  of  volume  i.  page  3,  allows  an  attorney  thirty 
shillings  for  a  suit  in  the  General  Court,  and  fifteen  shillings  in  the  County 
Courts,  which,  as  by  the  preamble  to  the  said  law,  may  be  seen,  was  thought 
sufficient  to  compensate  an  attorney  for  his  trouble  for  prosecuting  or  defend- 
ing any  suit  or  cause  in  any  of  the  said  Courts  in  this  Province. 

And  in  page  the  10th,  of  volume  iii.  in  44th  section,  a  lawyer's  fee  is  de- 
clared to  be  thirty  shillings  in  the  Superior  Court ;  and  in  the  Pee  Bill, 
Attorney-General's  fee  is  to  be  in  common  suits  the  same  as  another  attorney, 
which  implies  other  attorneys'  fees  were  ascertained.  Neither  are  they  author- 
ized by  any  law  to  take  more  ;  nor  is  there  any  other  larger  fees  anywhere 
established. 

And  by  the  Law,  in  page  140,  section  2,  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever, 
are  debarred  from  creating,  making,  demanding  or  receiving *any  other  fees 
than  such  as  shall  be  established  by  the  Governor,  Council,  and  General 
Assembly. 

Here  is  no  exception  made  of  lawyers.  The  lawyers  will  attempt  to  urge 
that  any  tradesman  has  a  liberty  to  make  a  bargain,  and  set  a  price  on  his 
own  work,  according  as  he  does  his  work ;  for,  say  they,  if  we  must  be  con- 
fined to  the  lawful  fee,  we  'will  do  no  more  for  that  fee  than  the  law  obliges 
us  to  do. 

To  the  first  I  say,  no  tradesman  could  be  at  such  liberty  were  there  the 
same  laws  prohibiting  them,  and  setting  bounds  to  the  prices  of  their  work 
as  there  is  to  lawyers'  fees.  Neither  is  there  the  same  reason  to  set  bounds 
to  the  one  as  there  is  to  the  other;  for  if  one  man  will  have  finery  and  super- 
fluity on  a  piece  of  work,  and  pay  a  high  price  for  it,  this  does  not  oblige 
his  neighbor  to  do  so  too.  Whereas,  by  giving  a  larger  fee  to  a  lawyer  than 
is  sufficient  to  compensate  him,  taking  one  action  with  another  for  his  trouble 
and  expense  in  prosecuting  or  defending  any  suit  or  cause,  so  far  as  is  neces- 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  321 

sary  and  just,  so  far  the  law  obliges  him  to :  (in  answer  to  the  last  part  of 
the  objection.)  I  say,  by  one  man's  giving  more,  it  is  attended  with  this 
evil ;  such  attorney  can  afford,  and  will  study  so  much  sophistry  and  false 
arguments  and  glosses,  that  will  blind  influence  and  confuse  the  jury,  as 
makes  it  necessary  for  the  other  honest  man  to  run  to  the  same  expense,  just 
to  unravel  and  undo  the  false  unnecessary  work  the  other  has  done  ;  and  in  all 
this  cost  and  expense  (which  is  not  only  their  fees)  there  is  not  the  least 
benefit,  nor  is  it  in  the  least  conducive  to  come  at  truth  and  justice,  but  quite 
contrarily  renders  it  obscure  and  dark.  And  at  best,  where  the  parties  are 
equally  yoked,  it  makes  the  same  justice  costly  and  hard  to  be  come  at,  and 
serves  to  increase  an  unnecessary  number  of  men  as  lawyers,  who  might  be 
useful  members  of  society,  in  following  other  necessary  business.  And  this 
evil  has  always  been  foreseen  by  all  legislative  bodies,  who  have  bounded 
their  fees  by  the  laws.  But  man's  ambition,  who  are  contentious  one  against 
another,  has  prompted  them  to  such  a  willing  compliance  to  the  lawyer's 
avarice,  in  violation  of  those  laws,  that  in  this  Province,  and  perhaps  all 
others,  this  evil  has  grown  so  that  it  affects  the  peaceable,  honest  man  so 
much,  that  the  lawyers  has  become  the  greatest  burden  and  bane  o?  society 
that  we  have  to  struggle  under ;  which  instances  are  so  numerous,  it  would 
be  tedious  to  mention  more  than  a  few  instances. 

First,  they  have  by  these  unlawful  means  been  empowered  to  calculate  the 
laws  to  suit  their  purposes  ;  and  where  a  contentious  fellow  owes  an  honest 
man  a  just  debt,  we  will  suppose  it  but  five  pounds,  a  lawyer  will  have  thirty 
shillings  for  this  cause  in  the  County  Court,  and  five  pounds  in  the  Superior, 
if  he  appeals ;  where,  if  the  honest  man  gains  his  action,  he  recovers  seven 
pounds  five  shillings,  and  is  six  pounds  ten  shillings  out  of  pocket,  and  so 
recovers  just  fifteen  shillings  for  his  five  pounds. 

And  where  an  honest  man  is  indicted  by  a  rogue,  he  must  pay  a  lawyer  at 
least  five  pounds  ;  and  if  he  is  acquitted  or  not,  the  cost,  besides  five  pounds,  is 
the  least  they  will  look  at  now-a-days  ;  and  this  every  year  growing  higher,  ten 
pounds  and  fifty  pounds  in  difiBcult  cases.  And  if  a  lawyer  may  extort  of 
me  five  pounds,  why  not  three  hundred  or  five  hundred  ?  as  in  my  own  case  ; 
for  I  was  acquitted,  as  will  be  seen  hereafter. 

When  a  man  is  guilty  of  a  crime,  and  pays  dear  for  it,  he  has  a  remedy 
wherewith  to  guard  himself  for  the  future,  thatis,  to  take  care  and  not  be  guilty 
a  second  time ;  but  an  honest  man  has  no  refuge,  but  is  liable  to  the  same 
cost  every  year. 

If  a  man  owes  me  a  debt  of  twenty  pounds,  I  am  sure  to  be  three  pounds 
ten  shillings  out  of  pocket,  for  no  lawyer  will  touch  my  cause  for  less 
than  five  pounds,  and  I  can  recover  but  thirty  shillings ;  and  many  times 
they  ask  ten  pounds ;  and  why  not,  in  time,  grow  as  generally  to  ten. 

Now,  is  it  not  strange  what  custom  will  do;  it  is  a  second  nature,  as  it  is 
justly  called,  for  in  this  case  the  lawyers  have  practiced  taking  extraordinary 
fees  so  long,  without  being  punished  either  by  the  penal  laws  or  indictments, 
both  of  which  they  are  liable  to,  that  they  now  are  hardy  enough  to  attempt 
to  recover  extraordinary  fees  by  the  law. 

I  hope  the  Pi-ovince  will  not  be  long  so  grossly  blinded.  Suppose  I  suffer 
now  through  the  stupidity  which  custom  has  blinded  us  with. 

The  following  is  a  copy  off  the  docket  relating  to  the  indictments  at  this 
court  against  the  principal  persons,  one  on  each  side,  viz : — 

North  Carolina, 

Hillsboro'  District. 

At  a  Superior  Court  of  Justice,  began  and  held  for  the  District  of  Hills- 
boro', at  the  court-house,  in  the  Town  of  Hillsboro',  on  the  22d  day  of  Sep- 
tember, 17C8. 

Present,  the  Honorable  Martin  Edwards,  Esq.,  Chief  Justice,  and  Mau- 
rice MooRE  and  Richard  Henderson,  Esqrs.,  His  Majesty's  Associates,  &:c. 

The  King  vs.  Herman  Husbands.     Indictment  for  a  rout.     Ignoramus. 

Witnesses. — Edmund  Faning,  George  Henry,  John  Butler,  John  Lea,  Zach. 
Rogers. 


322  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Same  is.  same.     Indictment  for  a  rout.     Ignoramus. 

WlC/jes.fe*.— William  Holmes,  George  Henry. 

Same  vs.  same.     Indictment  for  a  rout.     Ignoramus. 

Witnesses. — Same. 

Same  vs.  same.     Indictment  for  a  rout.     A  true  bill. 

Witnesses. — Same. 

And  the  defendant,  by  his  attorney,  comes  and  defends  the  force  and  in- 
jury, when  and  where,  &c.,  and  saith,  that  he  is  not  guilty  in  manner  and 
form  as  the  plaintiff  against  him  hath  declared;  and  of  this  he  puts  himself 
upon  God  and  the  country:  Therefore,  let  a  jury  come  agreeably  to  Act  of 
Assembly,  to  recognize,  &c. 

The  same  day  came  the  defendant  by  his  attorney,  whereupon,  came  also 

a  jury,  viz  :  J M ,  B W ,  J K ,  M R ,  A 

11-^,  A W ,  W D ,  R K ,  G R ,  J 

B ^  .J M ,  and  R W ,  who  being  elected,  tried,  and  sworn 

the  truth  to  speak  upon  the  issue  joined,  upon  their  oaths  do  say,  That  the 
defendant  is  not  guilty  in  manner  and  form  set  forth  in  the  indictment: 
Therefo*2,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  court,  that  the  defendant  be  discharged  by 
proclamation,  &c.  True  copy. — Test.        J.  WATSON,  Clerk. 

XoRTH  Carolina, 

Hillsboro'  District. 

At  a  Superior  Court  of  Justice,  began  and  held  for  the  District  of  Hills- 
boro', at  the  court-house,  in  Hillsboro'  Town,  on  the  22d  day  of  September, 
1768— 

Present,  the  Honorable  Martin  Howard,  Esq.,  Chief  Justice,  Maurice 
Moore,  and  Richard  Henderson,  Esqrs.,  His  Majesty's  Associates. 

The  King  vs.  EdmoxdFanixg.  Indictment  for  extortion.  Pleads  not  guilty. 

Jury  impanneled  and  sworn,  find  the  defendant  guilty :  Fined  o?ie  jjenuy 
and  costs. 

Same  vs.  same.     Indictment  for  extor.     Same  plea.     Same  entry. 

Same  vs.  same.     Indictment  for  extor.     Same  plea.     Same  entry. 

Same  vs.  same.    Indictment  for  extor.     Same  plea.     Same  entry. 

Same  vs.  same.     Indictment  for  extor.     Same  plea.     Same  entry. 

Same  vs.  same.     Indictment  for  extor.     Same  plea.     Same  entry. 

Same  vs.  same.     Indictment  for  extor.     Ante  fau  Convict. 

There  are  many  more,  but  these  may  suffice,  &c. 

William  Butler  and  two  others  were  tried,  and  found  guilty,  and  sentenced 
to  lay  in  prison  some  months,  and  pay  a  large  fine,  but  at  the  close  of  the  court, 
two  of  the  prisoners  broke  out,  and  the  third,  though  the  door  was  open, 
would  not  go  till  he  got  a  discharge. 

The  Governor's  men  began  to  die  with  the  flux,  and  the  officers  being  found 
guilty,  they  grew  generally  very  discontented  and  angry.  The  Governor  sent 
a  discharge  after  the  two  other  prisoners,  and  a  general  pardon,  excepting  a 
few  in  a  county,  and  disbanded  all  his  men.  Nor  did  ever  men  look  more 
sheepish  and  ashamed  than  they  did  as  they  returned,  endeavoring  to  keep 
up  their  countenance  by  hooping  and  hooraying  for  the  Regulators. 

On  the  trial  of  one  of  the  prisoners  for  rescuing  the  mare  taken  for  the 
taxes,  the  attorneys  mentioned  that  the  legality  of  the  said  tax  was  disputed, 
and  one  of  the  judges,  in  answer,  said  that  was  not  a  legal  way  to  dispute  it ; 
but  if  any  one  thought  the  tax  not  legal,  they  ought  to  indict  the  sherifi". 

This  being  observed  by  Herman  Husbands,  he  consulted  the  Attorney -Gene- 
ral, observing  it  to  him,  who  not  only  remembered  the  advice,  but  concurred 
therewith.  Whereupon,  Herman  Husbands  indicted  one  of  the  sherifi's,  who, 
being  found  not  guilty,  sued  the  said  Husbands  for  a  malicious  prosecution. 
But  the  Assembly  being  soon  called,  and  this  being  a  material  point,  and  having 
x-eceived  no  satisfaction  either  from  the  Governor's  answer  on  this  head,  nor 
yet  from  the  proceedings  and  examinations  the  court  made  thereon,  we  par- 
ticularly laid  it  again  before  the  Assembly,  who  thereupon  resolved,  That 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  323 

three  shillings  of  the  public  tax  was  wrong,  or  no  more  to  be  collected,  yet, 
notwithstanding,  the  sheriffs  continued  to  demand  it  of  us. 

At  the  next  Superior  Court,  which  was  on  the  22d  of  March,  1769,  we  made 
some  farther  trials  at  the  law,  but  met  with  less  encouragement  of  obtaining 
redress  in  that  way,  than  we  had  the  court  before. 

We  minuted  down  some  of  the  trials,  which  was  in  substance  as  follows : — ■ 

On  a  trial,  the  King  against  E F ,  for  extortion  in  his  having  taken 

six  shillings  for  registering  a  deed.  He  urged  in  his  plea,  that  he  was  igno- 
rant of  the  law,  in  that  he  put  another  construction  on  the  words,  &c.,  and 
that  he  did  apply  to  the  County  Court,  and  they  adjudged  there  was  two  and 
eight  pence  for  the  deed,  and  two  and  eight  pence  for  any  other  writing,  and 
seven  pence  for  the  certificate,  and  seven  pence  more  for  recording  the  certifi- 
cate, in  all,  six  shillings  and  sixpence,  but  that  he  had  generously  quit  the  sis 
pence. 

Now,  he  had  pleaded  this  like  cause  several  times  before,  in  one  of  which 
he  had  took  nine  shillings  and  two  pence,  pleading  in  that  one  case,  there 
were  two  other  pieces  of  writing. 

Attorney-General,  as  he  had  done  before,  showed  the  other  piece  of  writing, 
mentioned  in  the  table  of  fees,  to  have  no  relation  to  deeds  at  all,  but  bills  of 
sale  or  other  papers  that  might  happen  to  want  to  be  recorded  ;  and  before, 
he  had  observed  that  there  was  no  certainty  in  the  matter  at  all  if  it  was  al- 
lowed to  make  another  piece  of  writing  out  of  the  deed,  for,  with  as  good 
reason,  it  might  be  divided  into  two  or  ten  pieces  of  writing. 

"When   Attorney-General  was  going  to  reply  to  the  plea  of  the  Inferior 

Court's  judgment,  F g  stopped  him,  saying,  I  give  up  that,  and  lay  no 

stress  at  all  on  it. 

Then  rose  up  and  gave  a  charge  to  the  jury  to  this  efi'ect.  That 

though  his  own  judgment  was  one  with  Attorney-General,  and  the  same 
he  had  given  on  the  like  occasion  twice  before,  yet  he  would  remind  them  of 

what  C F g  alleged  in  his  own  favor,  and  so  recounted  over  how  he 

had  obtained  the  judgment  of  the  said  Inferior  Court,  who  made  the  fees  out 
thus :  for  recording  a  deed,  two  shillings  and  eight  pence ;  for  the  other  piece 
of  writing,  two  shillings  and  eight  pence ;  and  for  recording  the  certificate, 
seven  pence,  which  makes,  says  he,  six  shillings  and  one  penny,  so  that  in 
the  way  they  constructed  the  words  of  the  law,  he  took  one  penny  less. 

Here,   Attorney-General  says  it  comes  to  but  five  shillings  and  eleven 

pence  that  way;  this  putting  him  to  a  stand,  F g  says,  there  was  two 

other  pieces^of  writing  :  ay,  says ,  there  was  two  other  pieces  of  Avriting, 

which,  at  two  shillings  and  eight  pence  a  piece,  with  the  deed  and  certificate, 
comes  to  (here  he  figured  a  little)  eight  and  seven  pence,  and  so  according 
to  this  way,  Colonel  F g  took  two  shillings  and  seven  pence  less,  &c. 

I  have  mentioned  this  to  show  the  difficulty  and  uncertainty  of  these 
methods,  by  which  like  method  all  our  officers  make  out  their  extortionary 
bills,  and  scarce  one  of  them  can  make  out  a  bill  twice  the  same  way,  or  any 
two  to  make  out  a  bill  to  come  to  the  same  sum.  I  have  seen  them  pinched  here 
many  a  time,  and  not  only  in  this,  but  when  they  have  had  a  bill  in  their 
hand,  with  the  sum  in  lumps,  they  could  not  make  it  answer  when  they  un- 
dertook to  divide  it  into  particulars;  in  which  extremity,  they  generally  tell 
me  that  it  takes  a  good  lawyer  to  make  out  a  fee-bill,  and  that  few  men  in 

the  Province  could  do  it  but  Major  M ,  and  Mr.  B guin,  and  intimated 

it  as  vain  and  a  crime  for  any  common  man  to  pretend  to  understand  the 
fee-bill. 

Bui  they  have  been  put  to  it  what  to  answer  me,  when  I  reminded  them, 
that  the  legislative  body  calculated  it  for,  and  supposed  every  man  to  under- 
stand it,  and  that  it  was  a  pity  every  officer  could  not  carry  Major  31 or 

Mr.  B guin  in  their  pockets. 

However,  to  proceed  to  the  minutes  of  trials,  &c. 

On  a  trial,  the  King  against  John  Wood,  &c: — 

The  King  proved  that  Stephen  Jones,  having  a  writ  served  on  John  Erwin 
for  a  debt  of  six  pounds,  that  on  serving  the  writ,  Junes  and  Erwin  agreed; 


32-1  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

but  neither  of  them  paying  the  cost,  this  sheriff,  John  Wood,  served  an  exe- 
cution on  Jones  for  the  cost,  and  took  thereupon,  fifty  shillings  and  eight 
pence,  exclusive  of  thirty  shillings  which  Jones  paid  a  lawyer.^ 

Attorney-General  told  the  court  and  jury  that  he  had  examined  the  laws, 
and  could  make  out  no  such  fees. 

The  Judo'e  ordered  the  defendant  to  make  them  out,  whereupon  the  bill 
■was  handed  up  to  the  judge,  and  he  separated  the  clerk's  bill  from  the 
sheriff's,  and  ordered  them  to  make  out  the  sheriff's  fees,  he  being  only  the 
defendant.  The  clerk's  bill  was  twenty-six  shillings  and  eight  pence,  and 
when  the  separate  bill  was  handed  up,  the  judge  asked,  what  is  this  ten  shil- 
ling's and  ei"-ht  pence  for?  And  when  the  defendant's  attorney  says,  for  so 
and  so,  &c.,'the  judge  said,  that  is  already  charged  in  the  clerk's  bill,  and  is 
part  of  the  twenty-six  shillings  and  eight  pence  which  I  have  separated. 

After  some  time,  they  handed  it  up  again,  but  he  returned  it  in  the  same 
manner,  saying,  some  other  part  of  the  twenty-six  shillings  and  eight  pence 
was  still  charged  over  again. 

The  defendant's  attornies,  for  he  had  two  or  three,  took  the  law-book  into 
the  bar,  and  kept  working  at  it  so  long  as  tired  the  judge  so  that  he  began 
to  complain. 

Then  one  of  the  attorneys  began  to  read  over  the  bill  or  say  it  over  by 
head,  thus ;  "  there  is  one  shilling  for  a  bail  bond,  and  one  shilling  and  four 
pence,  for  serving  a  declaration,"  and  was  going  on,  when  Attorney-General 
says,  "there  was  no  bail  taken,  nor  no  declaration;  the  case  was  immediately 
agreed,  &c." 

After  awhile,  one  of  them  again  gets  up  and  says  ;  "and  please  your  honor, 
I  have  found  a  way  to  make  it  out ;  there  was  two  shillings  and  eight  pence 
for  commitment,  and  two  shillings  and  eight  pence  for  releasement.  But 
Attorney-General  says  there  was  no  commitment  in  the  case,  nor  bail,  I  am 
sensible.  Where  bail  is  necessary,  though  a  Sheriff  don't  take  bail,  yet,  as 
he  then  stands  culpable  himself,  he  might  with  some  reason  charge  for  the 
bond  ;  Init  no  bail  was  necessary  in  this  case ;  the  action  was  immediately 
agreed." 

The  defendant's  attorney  replies,  addressing  himself  to  the  court ;  "  in  the 
ordinary  course  of  practice,  bail  is  necessary.  And,  Mr.  Attorney  (looking 
at  him),  you  allow  all  fees  to  be  due  which  should  or  ought  to  have  been 
done." 

Attorney-General  replies,  "  for  my  part,  I  tell  you  I  have  examined  the 
law,  and  can  make  out  no  such  fees.  "^But  let  the  jury  take  the  law-book  with 
them,  and  if  they  can  make  out  such  fees,  it  is  nothing  to  me ;  for  my  part  I 
can't.     The  action  was  immediately  agreed." 

Upon  this,  the  judge  gave  the  jury  their  charge,  and  told  them  they  had 
to  consider  how  much  terror  sheriffs  must  be  under  from  the  late  disturbances, 
&c.  And  that  he  had  been  informed  that  salaries  were  low  ;  so  that  they  had 
this  to  consider,  that  whether,  if  the  sheriffs  are  too  much  discouraged,  it 
would  not  be  hard  to  get  any  to  officiate. 

The  jury  found  the  defendant  not  guilty,  and  sealed  up  their  verdict  tiU 
court  sat  next  morning.  But  we  being  alarmed  at  such  proceedings,  showed 
the  aforesaid  minutes  to  the  jury,  and  also  to  Attorney-General :  with  the  fol- 
lowing supposition ;  upon  which  the  jury  disagreed  to  their  verdict,  and  the 
matter  being  debated  over  again,  they  found  him  guilty. 

The  supposition  was  thus,  with  a  little  amendment,  viz. : — 

Let  us  suppose  this  case  had  been  between  a  farmer,  plaintiff,  and  a  black- 
smith, defendant.  The  farmer  pruves  that  he  sent  to  the  blacksmith  for  a 
colter  ;  that  he  got  one  which  was  not  steeled,  and  that  the  smith  dying  im- 
mediately, his  executors  sent  to  the  farmer  and  demanded  and  received  thirty 
four  shillings  and  sixpence,  which  he  had  paid ;  but  now  had  sued  them  for 
wronging  him. 

The  plaintiff's  attorney  informed  the  court  that,  by  the  smith's  book,  no 
such  account  was  to  be  found.  The  judge  then  desired  the  defendant  to 
make  it  out.    He  produced  his  account  stated,  thus  : — 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  325 

To  a  new  colter,  weight  ten  pounds  £0  15  0 

To  six  sharps,         .             .             .  0     3  0 

To  eight,  do.            .            .            .  0     4  0 

To  laying  the  colter,           .            .  0     5  0 

To  the  forge  for  fifteen  pounds  iron,  0     7  6 

£1  14    6 

The  judge  soon  separated  the  last  seven  shillings  and  six  pence,  being 
twice  charged,  it  being  included  in  the  first  fifteen  shillings.  So  then  the  de- 
fendant's attorney,  allowing  the  sharpings  and  layings  for  granted,  had  to 
make  out  that  seven  shillings  and  sixpence  ;  and  they  kept  searching  the 
book  till  the  judge's  patience  was  tired,  and  he  complained.  Then  one  be- 
gins to  say  over  the  account.  There  is  a  shilling  for  a  key  to  every  colter, 
and  one  shilling  and  sixpence  for  steel.  But  the  plaintiff's  attorney  says, 
there  was  no  Key  nor  steel  in  the  case.  Then  after  some  time,  says  one  of 
them,  and  please  your  honor  I  have  found  a  way  to  make  it  out ;  here  is  five 
shillings  for  making  a  shear  to  the  colter,  and  two  shillings  and  sixpence  for 
steel,  which  is  charged  in  most  people's  accounts.  But  the  plaintiff's  attor- 
ney says,  "  we  had  no  shear,  no  steel,  nor  key.  The  blacksmith  died  imme- 
diately before  ever  the  colter  was  used,  as  has  been  proven.  I  am  sensible 
that  by  a  bad  heat  a  blacksmith  might  put  steel  on  a  colter,  which,  possibly, 
might  drop  off  before  it  came  into  the  owner's  hands,  and  it  might  possibly 
be  charged  ;  but  then  the  blacksmith  stands  liable  to  put  it  on,  and  make  it 
good." 

The  defendant's  attorney  replies,  "  and  please  the  court,  in  the  ordinary 
course  of  practice  there  is  always  a  shear  to  every  colter,  and  they  are  gene- 
rally steeled ;  and,  Mr.  Attorney  (looking  at  the  plaintiff's  attorney),  you 
allow  that  steeling  may  be  charged,  though  so  badly  put  on  as  to  come  off; 
and  with  as  good  reason  it  may  be  charged,  though  not  done  at  all ;  because 
in  the  general  course  of  -practice  it  ought  to  have  been  done,  &c.  &c.  &c." 

A  word  to  the  wise  is  sufficient. 

By  the  fee-bill,  the  whole  cost  of  this  suit  came  to  but  fourteen  shillings 
and  one  penny,  after  reckoning  up  every  service  that  possibly  could  have 
been  done,  viz. : — 

To  entering  Jones  and  Irwin  on  Docket       £0    0     7 

Entering  an  attorney ;  the  law  allows 
nothing,  but,  suppose 

To  a  writ, 

To  serving  the  writ, 

To  calling  the  action  in  court,  . 

Sheriff  returning  it  agreed;  no  allow- 
ance in  law  ;  suppose 

Entering  the  action  agreed, 

Calling  it  over  agreed,  . 


Drawing  bill  of  cost, 

Issuing  execution. 

Serving  execution,  one  shilling  in  pound 

Tax  fee,  if  due, 


0    0 

7 

0     1 

1 

0    5 

4 

0     0 

4 

0     0 

4 

0    0 

7 

0    0 

4 

0    9 

2 

0     0 

7 

0     1 

4 

I           0     0 

6 

0     2 

6 

£0  14 

1 

The  Governor  had  dissolved  our  Assembly  and  granted  us  a  new  election, 
on  the  10th  of  July,  1768 ;  a  little  before  which  the  Regulators  wrote  the  fol- 
lowing address  to  the  inhabitants  in  general. 

To  the  Inliahitants  of  the  Province  of  North  Carolina. 

Dear  Brethren  : — Nothing  is  more  common  than  for  persons  who  look 
upon  themselves  to  be  injured  than  to  resent  and  complain.   These  arc  sounded 


326  HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

aloud,  and  plain  in  proportion  to  the  apprehension  of  it.  Our  Tearfulness  too, 
frequently  augment  our  real  as  Avell  as  apparent  dangers.  Let  us  adjust  our 
complaints  or  resentments  to  the  reality  as  well  as  the  nature  of  the  injury 
received. 

Excess  in  any  matter  breeds  contempt;  whereas  strict  propriety  obtains 
the  suffrage  of  every  class.  The  oppression  of  inferior  individuals  must  only 
demand  tutelage  of  superiors  ;  and  in  civil  matters  our  cries  should  reach  the 
authorative  ear,  when  the  weight  that  crusheth  descendeth  from  the  higher 
powers.  But  when  imposed  by  populace,  to  the  populace  our  complaints 
must  extend.  When  therefore  the  cry  of  any  city,  province,  or  nation  is 
general,  it  must  be  generally  directed  to  the  source  from  whence  the  cry  is 
caused. 

The  late  commotions  and  crying  dissatisfactions  among  the  common  people 
of  this  province,  is  not  unknown  or  unfelt  by  any  thinking  person.  No  per- 
son among  you  could  be  at  a  loss  to  find  out  the  true  cause. "^I  dare  venture 
to  assert  you  all  advised  to  the  application  of  the  public  money ;  these  you 
saw  misapplied  to  the  enriching  of  individuals,  or  at  least  embezzled  in  some 
way,  without  defraying  the  public  expenses.  Have  not  your  purses  been  pil- 
laged by  the  exorbitant  and  unlawful  fees  taken  by  officers,  clerks,  &c.  I 
need  not  mention  the  intolerable  expensive  method  of  recovery  by  law,  occa- 
sioned by  the  narrow  limits  of  the  inferior  court's  jurisdiction.  Have  you 
not  been  grieved  to  find  the  powers  of  our  county  courts  so  curtailed,  that 
scarce  the  shadow  of  power  is  left.  This  body,  however  respectable,  is  in- 
trusted with  little  more  than  might  pertain  to  the  jurisdiction  of  a  single 
magistrate,  or  at  least  two  or  three  justices  of  the  peace  in  conjunction.  In 
consequence  of  this,  very  small  sums  drags  us  to  Superior  Courts.  These 
must  be  attended  with  all  our  evidences,  although  many  at  the  distance  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  miles.  Add  to  this  a  double  fee  to  all  officers ;  hence  we 
are  made  feelingly  sensible,  that  our  necessary  expenses,  with  the  additional 
costs,  are  equal,  if  not  surpass  the  original  sum. 

For  what  end  was  the  jurisdiction  of  the  courts  reduced  to  such  narrow 
limits  ?  Is  it  not  to  fill  the  superior  houses  with  business  ?  Why  has  the 
authority  fallen  upon  this  wonderful  expedient?  Is  it  not  evident  that  this 
was  calculated  for  the  emolument  of  lawyers,  clerks,  &c.  What  other  reason 
can  be  assigned  for  this  amazing  scheme? — none  brethren,  none! 

Has  not  the  charges  of  Government  been  unnecessarily  raise(J^t(vtEe~^reat 
increase  of  the  public  tax?  Has  not  the  public  money  been  entrusted  in  the 
hands  of  insufficient  persons,  without  sufficient  securities,  or  due  care  taken 
in  accounting  for,  and  recovering  the  same  ?  Has  not  this  often  reduced  us 
to  Lhe  disagreeable  necessity  of  contributing  or  paying  by  tax  the  sum  once 
raised — but  through  carelessness  or  neglect,  or  something  worse,  uselessly 
consumed?  To  what  does  this  tend?  Is  not  the  issue  manifestly  the  im- 
poverishment of  the  country  ? — fatal  consequences. 

The  exorbitant,  not  to  say  unlawful  fees,  required  and  assumed  by  officers — 
the  unnecessary,  not  to  say  destructive,  abridgement  of  a  court's  jurisdiction 
— the  enormous  increase  of  the  provincial  tax  unnecessarily;  these  are  evils 
of  which  no  person  can  be  insensible,  and  which  I  doubt  not  has  been  lamented 
by  each  of  you.  It  must  have  obliged  you  to  examine  from  what  quarter  relief 
might  be  found  against  these  sad  calamities  : — In  vain  will  joxi  search  for  a 
remedy  until  you  find  out  the  disease. 

Many  are  accusing  the  legislative  body  as  the  source  of  all  these  woful 
calamities.  These,  it  must  be  confessed,  are  the  instrumental  cause  ;  they 
can,  yea  do  impose  some  of  these  heavy  burdens.  But  whence  received  they 
this  power  ?  Is  not  their  power  delegated  from  the  populace  ?  The  original 
principal  cause  is  our  own  blind  stupid  conduct. 

If  it  be  queried,  how  does  our  conduct  contribute  to  this  ?  Answer  presents 
itself — we  have  chosen  persons  to  represent  us  to  make  laws,  &c.,  whose  former 
conduct  and  circumstance  might  have  given  us  the  highest  reason  to  expect 
they  would  sacrifice  the  true  interest  of  their  country  to  avarice,  or  ambition, 
or  both. 

I  need  not  inform  you,  that  a  majority  of  our  Assembly  is  composed  of  law- 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  327 

yers,  clerks,  and  others  in  connection  with  them,  while  by  our  own  voice  we 
"have  excluded  the  planter.  Is  it  not  evident  their  own  private  interest  is  de- 
signed in  the  whole  train  of  our  laws  ?  We  have  not  the  least  reason  to  expect 
the  good  of  the  farmer,  and  consequently  of  the  community,  will  be  consulted 
by  those  who  hang  on  favor,  or  depend  on  the  intricacies  of  the  laws.  What 
can  be  expected  from  those  who  have  ever  discovered  a  want  of  good  princi- 
ples, and  whose  highest  study  is  the  promotion  of  their  wealth ;  and  with 
Avhom  the  interest  of  the  public,  when  it  comes  in  competition  with  tlieir  pri- 
vate advantages,  is  suffered  to  sink? — nothing  less  than  the  ruin  of  the  public. 
Have  we  not  hitherto,  in  a  great  degree,  chosen  such  men  as  have  been  de- 
scribed ?  Nay,  have  they  not  been  such  as  are  dependent  in  their  fortunes, 
with  great  expectation  from  others,  or  enjoy  places  of  benefit  and  trust  in  the 
government?  Does  not  reason  declare  we  might  expect  such  cringing  vassals 
would  readily  sacrifice  the  interest  of  the  community  to  idol  self? — Are  nor 
such  persons  utterly  disqualified  for  supporting  our  rights  and  properties  ? 
Is  it  not  high  time  to  seek  an  antidote  against  such  deadly  poison  before  it 
utterly  destroys  us  ? 

But  you  will  say  :  What  is  the  remedy  against  this  malignant  disease  ? 

I  will  venture  to  describe  a  sovereign  one  if  duly  applied :  that  is,  as  you 
have  now  a  fit  opportunity,  choose  for  your  representatives  or  burgesses  such 
men  as  have  given  you  the  strongest  reason  to  believe  they  are  truly  honest — 
such  as  are  disinterested,  public-spirited,  who  will  not  allow  their  private 
advantage  once  to  come  in  competition  with  the  public  good. 

You  grant  the  prescription  is  sovereign  ;  but  how  shall  you  obtain  such  ? 
I  answer :  Let  your  judgment  be  formed  on  their  past  conduct ;  let  them  be 
such  as  have  been  unblamable  in  life,  independent  in  their  fortunes,  without 
expectations  from  others  ;  let  them  be  such  as  enjoy  no  places  of  benefit  under 
the  government ;  such  as  do  not  depend  upon  favor  for  their  living,  nor  do 
derive  profit  or  advantage  from  the  intricate  perplexity  of  the  law.  In  short, 
let  them  be  men  whose  private  interest  neither  doth  nor  can  clash  with  the 
interest  or  special  good  of  their  country. 

Are  you  not  sensible,  brethren,  that  we  have  too  long  groaned  in  secret 
under  the  weight  of  these  crushing  mischiefs  ?  How  long  will  ye  in  this 
servile  manner  subject  yourselves  to  slavery?  Now  show  yourselves  to  be 
freemen,  and  for  once  assert  your  liberty  and  maintain  your  rights.  Thi? 
election  let  us  exert  ourselves,  and  show  that  we  will  not  through  fear, 
favor,  or  affection,  bow  and  subject  ourselves  to  those  who,  under  the  mask 
of  friendship,  have  long  drawn  calamities  upon  us. 

Should  we  now,  through  fear  or  favor,  act  as  we  have  done,  contrary  to 
duty  and  interest,  so  far  as  we  do  this  we  contribute  to  all  the  mischief  con- 
sequent upon  it.  Where,  then,  is  that  moving  principle,  self-preservation  ? 
Will  you,  can  you,  voluntarily  submit  yourselves  to  ignominy  and  want  ? 
These  will  aggrandize  themselves  and  swim  in  opulence. 

Have  they  not  monopolized  your  properties,  and  what  is  wanting  but  time 
to  draw  from  you  the  last  farthing  ?  who  that  has  the  least  spirit  of  a  man 
could  endure  this  ?  who  that  has  the  least  spark  of  love  to  his  country  or  to 
himself  would  bear  the  delusion  ? 

In  a  special  manner,  then,  let  us  at  this  election  arouse  all  our  powers  to 
act  like  free  public-spirited  men,  knowing  that  he  that  betrays  the  cause  now 
betrays  his  country,  and  must  sink  in  the  general  ruin. 

And  as  the  inhabitants  of  Rowan  could    get   no  indictments  preferred 

against  their  officers  in  Salisbury  District,  they  had  sent  to  us,  and  J 

II r  went  to  their  assistance,  and,  by  the  letter  following,  you  may  form 

some  idea  how  matters  were  carried  on,  viz. : — 

Salisbury,  September  IWi,  1769. 
To  Mr.  Husband,  Representative  for  Orange  County. 
Sir:  Agreeable  to  the  resolutions  of  a  committee,  held  at  Joshua  T- 


last  month,  about  six  or  seven  of  us  attended  Salisbury  General  Court  to 

30 


328  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

indict  our  officers,  Tvhen,  to  our  astonishment,  we  found  the  grand-jury  to  be 
composed  of  our  inveterate  enemies,  and  of  such  as  had  been  our  greatest 
oppressors.  No  less  than  five  of  them  were  old  sheriffs.  In  fine,  there  were 
but  two  or  three  but  what  were  limbs  of  the  law.  However,  we  were  resolved 
to  try  what  justice  could  be  obtained,  as  we  have  been  so  often  referred 
thereto  by  the  Governor  and  others  of  the  first  rank  in  the  Province,  who  had 
so  repeatedly  urged  us  to  legal  steps,  assuring  us  we  should  everywhere 
obtain  the  highest  justice ;  and  one  had  told  us  he  always  would  be  there  and 
see  that  we  had  justice.  So,  relying  on  these  promises,  and  being  conscious 
the  laws  was  against  them  who  had  so  repeatedly  broke  them  ;  besides,  the 
cries  of  the  people  was  so  great,  and  oppressions  so  many,  that  we  durst  hardly 

return  home  before  trial  made.     We  applied  to  Mr.  H r,  deputy  under 

Attorney-General ;  he  appeared  well  pleased  with  our  design,  and  assured  us 
he  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  serve  us. 

A  bill  was  preferred  against  F k*  for  extortion,  in  taking  eight  pounds 

five  shillings  of  the  Widow  C ,  for  the  cost  of  an  indictment  against  her. 

And  the  bill  found  ignoramus,  it  was  proved  by  the  oath  of  J h  H n, 

that  he  paid  the  money  to  the  Sub-SheriS"  for  the  use  of  the  said  F k ;  and 

proved  by  the  oath  of  J — —  D ,  a  lawyer,  that  he  got  the  receipt  of  the 

widow  some  time  ago,  in  order  to  procure  redress  for  her  ;  but  that  he  had 

lost  it ;  but  that  it  was  for  eight  pounds  five  shillings.     And  A m  C n 

proved  that  F k  asked  him,  when  he  was  making  out  the  bill  against  the 

widow,  what  circumstances  she  was  in  ;  he  said  in  very  good,  and  had  money 
by  her.     If  that  be  the  case,  says  F k,  I  must  double  the  bill. 

However,  the  bill  was  found  ignoramus,  &c. 

This  letter  was  longer.  After  giving  an  account  of  several  more  trials, 
and  all  found  ignoramus,  they  were  informed  by  one  of  the  magistrates, 
which  was  confirmed  by  an  Assembly-man,  that  the  jury  was  not  the  same 
men  which  was  appointed  by  authority. 

This  letter  was  read  before  our  Assembly,  and  is  in  the  Clerk's  Office 
there. 

Another  petition  went  from  Hillsborough  Court,  which,  after  reciting  over 
how  much  the  Governor  and  authority  had  recommended  us  to  the  law,  comes 
to  the  matter  in  hand  thus,  viz. : —  i'  ~--  , 

So  that  to  the  law  we  must  go  to  find  redress.  Accordingly  to  law  we 
went,  and  the  present  design  of  this  paper  is,  in  as  brief  a  manner  as  possible, 
to  lay  before  you  our  proceedings  and  success  therein. 

Before  the  first  court  happened,  troops  were  raising  in  all  quarters,  as  was 
said  to  guard  the  court.  The  effect  of  these  troops  was  that  every  man 
coming  into  court  was  examined  what  business  he  had.  And  every  one  who 
dared  to  own  that  it  was  to  complain  of  officers,  was  ill  used  by  the  guards 
and  soldiery,  and  scared  away  home  ;  but  some  few  who  would  not  be  scared 
away,  was  ordered  out  of  town  by  the  commanding  officers  at  a  few  minutes' 
warning.  None  could  stay  but  prisoners,  and  them  denied  of  attorneys, 
unless  they  would  give  bonds  for  fifty  and  to  three  hundred  pounds  to  each 
'  attorney. 

But  notwithstanding  all  which,  by  the  industry  of  one  of  the  prisoners, 
some  was  encouraged  to  come  back,  and  thi'ee  or  four  actions  against  an 
officer  was  tried,  and  the  officer  convicted,  who  was  fined  one  penny,  &c. 

During  the  time  to  the  next  court,  all  other  officers,  except  this  one,  con- 
tinued to  take  the  same  extortionary  fees  as  before;  and  no  troops  being 
raised  against  us,  at  the  next  court  people  flocked  in  to  make  informations. 
But  besides  the  difficulty  of  attending  courts  from  thirty  to  sixty  miles,  and 
the  officers  threatening  to  sue  for  malicious  prosecutions,  and  take  all  other 
advantages  of  the  law.  Besides  all  this,  the  Attorney-General  did  not  attend 
the  two  or  three  first  days  of  court,  so  that  most  of  the  people  had  gone  home. 
Some  informations,  however,  was  made  after  he  came,  and  a  few  of  them 
tried,  in  which  the  officers  was  all  convicted,  except  in  one  instance,  and  im- 

*  Frohock. 


OKANGE  COUNTY.  329 

mediately  that  one  prosecutor  was  sued.  Minutes  of  some  of  those  trials 
were  took  down  in  writing,  in  which  are  matters  so  curious,  that  we  suppose 
instances  of  that  kind  are  not  to  be  found  elsewhere. 

Among  other  things,  that  the  jury  was  picked,  and  calculated  of  such  weak 
and  low  capacities,  that  when  they  had  agreed  on  a  verdict,  and  mixed  among 
men  before  they  gave  it  in,  by  hearing  others'  sentiments  they  disagreed  to 
it  when  given  in.  And  this  was  reported  so  often,  with  such  marks  of  in- 
capacity mixed  with  honest  principles,  that  the  consequence  was  such  con- 
fusion and  contradiction  that  the  jury  was  discharged  at  the  bar  after  a  verdict 
agreed  to  and  then  disagreed  ;  and  other  confessions  that  two  of  the  jury 
overruled  the  rest,  and  the  action  was  continued  to  the  next  court,  and  this 
court  adjourned. 

We  found,  afterwards,  these  two  men  of  the  jury  that  overruled  were  much 
prejudiced  in  favor  of  the  officers.  This  discovery  put  us  on  examining  how 
the  juries  were  appointed,  and  finding  that  to  be  the  province  of  the  Justices 
of  the  Inferior  Court,  we  made  some  complaints  of  the  usage  of  our  justices. 
But  hearing  of  the  proceedings  at  Salisbury  before  our  general  court  came 
on,  we  chiefly  prepared  ourselves  for  observations,  and  the  first  we  had  to 
make  was  that  the  Chief-Justice  and  Attorney-General,  in  whom  only  we  had 
much  confidence,  that  neither  of  them  was  at  this  court. 

2d.  We  observed  the  Deputy- Attorney  and  both  Associate-Judges  lodged 
with  him  whom  we  looked  on  as  our  chief  enemy  and  cause  of  our  oppressions, 
so  that  men  of  common  modesty  was  deterred  from  applying  to  him. 

3d.  AVe  observed  the  petty -jury  was  not  picked  this  court,  but  the  grand- 
jury  was  to  all  intents. 

4th.  We  observed  no  petty-jury  causes  were  tried  this  court  against  officers, 
so  that  poor  men  who  had  attended  all  last  court  and  most  of  this  (before  it 
was  known)  and  thirty  or  forty  miles  from  home,  must  attend  a  third  court. 

Some,  who  had  more  boldness  than  others,  applied  to  Deputy ,  and 

made  information  against  the  Clerk  of  the  Inferior  Court  for  taking  three 
pounds  four  shillings  and  sixpence  for  his  own  fee  on  a  common  attachment. 
He  told  them  he  must  have  the  informations  in  writing.  They  found  a  clerk, 
and  carries  it  in  writing.  Then  it  wanted  a  date  or  name,  and  then  some- 
thing else,  till,  at  length,  they  got  one  almost  right ;  but  had  gone  from  office 
to  office  so  often  that  one  of  the  clerks  d — d  them  for  a  pack  of  sons  of  b — s, 
and  denied  serving  them. 

Deputy- Attorney  came  also  out  of  his  fortification  into  the  street  and  com- 
plained lie  had  been  so  mucli  harassed  that  he  was  almost  sick. 

The  bill  against  the  clerk,  and  some  more,  being  at  length  preferred,  was 
all  ignoramus. 

Next  day,  Deputy  told  W B r  he  would  hear  no  more  of  us,  and, 

as  W B r  made  complaint  of  this  to  the  Court,  Deputy  said  it  was  a 

lie,  and  that  he  only  refused  him  on  his  ill  behavior,  and  said  he  was  an  ill 
person,  running  about  taking  other  people's  business  to  do.  But  in  this  he 
was  mistaken,  for  Butler's  business  was  his  own  ;  though  some  of  the  other, 
according  to  the  Governor's  directions,  was  willing  to  make  informations  in 
behalf  of  the  injured.  Some  made  informations  to  single  justices  for  petty 
fines,  the  consequence  of  which  was,  judgment  went  against  the  defendant 
for  the  fine  and  against  the  plaintiff  for  the  cost,  and  the  justice,  with  a  loud 
voice,  berating  him  for  a  mean  pitiful  informer. 

Others  applied  to  attorneys  to  bring  suit  on  the  the  penal  laws,  when  they 
not  only  found,  by  a  late  law,  that  the  clerks  of  courts  were  hedged  in  from 
the  force  of  the  penal  laws  by  ordering  suit  to  be  brought  against  them  by  a 
motion  to  court,  and  the  justices  to  fine  them  at  discretion,  if  it  appeai-ed  they 
bad  wilfully  extorted,  &c.  By  all  which  we  could  understand  the  prosecutor, 
as  matters  now  stand,  would  get  his  labor  for  his  pains,  and  the  clerks  clear 
of  any  cost,  &c. 

This  letter,  which  contained  much  more,  was  also  read  before  the  Assembly 
in  October,  1769,  and  is  in  the  clerk's  office  there. 

We  draw  now  near  to  an  end,  for  our  Assembly  was  dissolved  before  they 
could,  do  any  business  of  consequence,  so  that  all  things  were  left  in  cunfu- 


330  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

sion  and  disorder.     We  had  thirty  odd  new  members  this  session,  and  we 
hope  a  few  more  of  the  old  ones  will  be  left  out  against  another. 

********* 

[Here  followed  the  outlines  of  a  speech  (or  plea),  doubtless  of  Husbands, 
made  in  the  House  last  session,  in  favor  of  pre-emption  rights  of  settlers  on 
Lord  Granville's  lands,  and  two  sermons,  ("being  from  a  pamphlet  of  a  name- 
less author,")  one  from  Genesis,  xlis.  14,  "Issachar  is  a  strong  ass,  couching 
down  between  two  burdens ;"  the  other  from  Numbers,  xxii.  21,  "And  Balaam 
rose  up  in  the  morning  and  saddled  his  ass,  and  went  with  the  Princes  of 
Moab,"  in  which  the  troubles  of  the  times,  and  the  injustice  of  the  rulers,  are 
strongly  depicted  much  in  the  style  of  John  Bunyan,  and  the  spirit  of  the 
people  roused  to  resistance.] 

P.  S.  There  is  one  thing  more  that  I  think  necessary  to  inform  the  public 
of,  which  is  this.  When  we  were  so  discouraged  and  attacked  by  our  offi- 
cers, Scotch  merchants,  and  Balaams,  as  you  may  see  before,  and  at  the 
meeting  of  21st  of  May,  No,  VII ;  we  at  that  meeting  came  to  a  resolution, 
that  if  the  Governor  was  against  us,  and  we  could  get  no  redress  no  way,  we 
would,  rather  than  rise  in  riots,  agree  not  to  go  to  law  at  all,  but  leave  our 
differences  to  arbitrations ;  and,  accordingly,  we  had  a  subscription  paper  for 
that  purpose.  But  when  it  was  read,  our  opposers  seemed  to  resent  it  as 
more  criminal  than  all  we  ever  had  done  before.  Howel,  who  waited  on  the 
Governor  at  Brunswick,  had  this  paper  with  him;  and  as  he  was  complain- 
ing of  the  court,  &c.,  the  Governor  says  to  him,  "  Why  does  the  people  go  to 
law  one  with  another?  If  they  get  so  little  justice  at  the  law,  can't  they 
leave  their  differences  to  arbitration  ?" 

Howel  replies,  "  We  intend  to  do  so,  and  have  a  paper  drawn  up  for  that 
purpose  ;  which,  if  your  excellency  pleases,  you  may  peruse,  and  give  it  your 
approbation."  The  Governor  read  it,  and  got  in  as  great  a  passion  with  it  as 
our  officers  did,  and  ordered  Howel  to  burn  it,  which  I  suppose  he  did ;  for 
it  was  never  seen  among  us  since.  But  at  our  last  sitting  in  assembly,  we 
having  sent  a  bill  to  the  upper  house  for  a  single  justice  to  try  five  pounds, 
and  a  bill  laying  greater  penalties  on  lawyers  for  extortion,  and  for  better 
explaining  the  former  law  in  that  case.  But  as  the  bills  were  detained,  the 
same  expedient  presented  itself  to  the  members,  and  a  large  number  out  of 
the  house  concluded  to  enter  into  such  a  resolution,  to  recommend  it  to  their 
constituents  not  to  trouble  the  law  at  all,  and  so  starve  out  our  adversaries, 
similar  to  the  general  resolutions  of  non-importation  of  British  goods.  But 
many  being  taken  sick,  and  the  Governor  dissolving  them,  every  one  being 
in  a  hurry  home,  I  suppose  it  was  forgot. 

I  being  informed  that  the  very  same  thing  was  on  foot  in  several  counties 
in  Maryland,  and  on  my  relation  of  these  motions  with  us,  the  Marylanders 
begged  me  to  push  that  motion,  for  that  if  ever  it  took  place  in  one  province 
it  would  take  immediately  in  all.  For,  that  the  oppression  we  sustain  by 
the  lawyers'  combinations  and  usurpations  over  the  law,  and  engrossing  the 
whole  business  of  the  courts  into  their  own  power,  is  one  of  the  greater 
evils  we  labor  under,  and  are  in  danger  of;  therefore  I  have  accordingly 
added  this  to  remind  our  members  and  their  constituents  to  give  them  in 
charge,  not  to  forget  this  another  time.  * 

1S@^  The  reader  may  easily  observe  the  foregoing  piece  to  be  an  un- 
finished work,  not  only  because  the  scene  is  not  ended,  but,  even  so  far  as  we 
have  gone,  it  is  like  a  rich  lady  stripped  of  her  rich  attire  and  ornaments, 
and  reduced  to  the  habit  of  a  slave  ;  or  like  a  confused  handful  of  rich  ker- 
nels, picked  out  of  the  shells.  The  occasion  of  which  was  the  necessity  we 
were  in  to  pick  out  only  the  most  material  parts  of  what  would  have  afforded 
a  much  larger  and  necessary  piece,  and  that  not  only  to  save  the  expense, 
but,  in  reality,  because  we  were  pinched  for  time  and  opportunity.  So  that 
we  expect  this  affair  will  not  end  without  further  particulars  worthy  of  no- 
tice ;  which,  perhaps,  will  be  hereafter  published  with  a  second  edition  of 
this,  with  an  addition  of  its  ornaments  and  attire. 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  331 

To  fill  up  this  last  half  sheet,  vre  will  add  so  much  of  a  piece  that  our 
Governor  sent  to  our  last  Assembly  as  we  can  insert  in  it;  which  will  show 
that  our  jealousies  of  the  bad  application  of  the  public  money  were  well- 
grounded  ;  the  piece  is  as  follows,  viz. : — 

North  Carolina,  Newbern,  October  31,  1769. 

The  fact  is  too  well  known  to  admit  of  a  denial,  that  in  a  long  course  of 
years  past,  great  sums  of  the  public  money  have  been  lost  Ijy  the  negligence 
or  insolvency  of  sheriffs  and  other  collectors,  with  their  sureties. 

And  it  is  presumed,  that  in  the  same  course  of  time,  considerable  sums 
have  sunk,  after  they  were  lodged  in  the  public  treasury,  whereof  no  account 
has  hitherto  been  made. 

A  law  of  this  province  lately  passed  will,  if  executed  with  vigor,  probably 
in  a  great  measure  prevent,  for  the  time  to  come,  the  first  of  these  mischiefs, 
and  a  law  to  prevent  the  latter  might  be  of  great  public  utility;  for  mankind 
never  part  with  their  money,  either  for  private  or  public  benefit,  so  readily,  as 
when  assured  that  it  must  be  honestly  applied  for  the  purposes  intended. 

A  constant,  regular,  plain,  and  uniform  method  of  keeping  the  books  of 
accounts  of  the  public  revenue,  and  of  stating  and  settling  these  accounts, 
may  prevent  such  abuses,  and  make  it  extremely  diflicult,  if  not  impracticable, 
to  embezzle  the  public  money. 

The  above  pages  of  Husbands'  book,  give,  in  minute  detail,  and 
in  the  simplicity  of  truth,  an  impartial  relation  of  the  rise  and 
causes  of  this  public  commotion. 

These  troubles  ended  in  violence  and  blood.  The  reader  is 
referred  to  the  chapter  on  "Alamance,"  for  the  conclusion  of  this 
matter,  and  an  official  account  of  the  battle  of  Alamance,  fouf^ht 
16th  May,  1771. 

This  is  the  only  perfect  copy  of  Husbands'  book  extant ;  I  found 
it  in  the  Library  of  Philadelphia,  and  for  its  use  I  am  indebted 
to  the  courtesy  of  Lloyd  P.  Smith,  the  intelligent  and  urbane  libra- 
rian of  the  company. 

Colonel  Edmund  Fanning,  who  was  the  chief  cause  of  these  troubles,  and 
a  distinguished  Tory  afterwards,  was  a  native  of  New  York.  He  was  taUmt- 
ed  and  well  educated.  He  was  graduated  in  1757,  at  Yale  College,  with  dis- 
tinction, and  in  after  years  the  degree  of  LL.  D.  was  conferred  upon  him  by 
that  renowned  institution.  He  held  the  rank  of  Colonel  in  the  British  army. 
He  was  member  of  the  Legislature  for  many  years,  under  the  Colonial  go- 
vernment, and  Register  of  the  County. 

It  was  his  extortions,  more  than  those  of  any  other  person,  that  caused  the 
rising  of  the  people  of  Orange.  In  their  fury,  they  did  not  respect  tlic  per- 
son or  property  of  Fanning;  for  they  whipped  him  severely,  and  destroyed 
his  house,  which  stood  near  where  the  Masonic  Hall  now  stands,  in  Ilillsboro'. 

Gov.  Martin  presented  his  losses  to  the  Assembly;  but  that  body  refused 
even  to  consider  the  petition;  and  rebuked  the  Governor  for  thus  trifling 
with* the  house. 

He  followed  Governor  Tryon  to  New  York.  In  1777  he  raised  a  corps  of 
Tories,  and  called  them  "  the  King's  American  Regimenl." 

1779  his  property  was  confiscated  in  this  State. 

In  1782  lie  was  Surveyor-General  of  New  York,  but  was  soon  forced  to  Nova 
Scotia,  and  on  Sept.  23d,  1783,  was  sworn  in  as  Councillor  and  Lieutenant  of 
that  Province. 

In  1786  he  was  appointed  Governor  of  Prince  Edward  Island,  which  he  held 
for  nineteen  years,  and  a  General  in  the  British  army.  The  distinguished 
lawyer,  John  Wickham,  of  Richmond,  was  his  noithow. 

He  married  in  Nova  Scotia  a  lady  of  fine  personal  appearance,  who  still 
survives  him.     He  died  in  1818  in  London,  leaving  a  son,  Frederick  Augus- 


332  '  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

tus  (who  became  a  Captain  in  tlie  British  Army  and  died  -n-ithout  issue),  and 
tliree  daughters,  two  of  whom  married  to  o;entleinen  of  rank  in  Engkxnd.  One 
is  Lady  "\V''ood,  a  widow;  the  other  the  wife  of  Captain  Bentwick  Cumberland, 
of  the  British  army,  nephew  of  Lord  Bentwick. 

Under  the  advice  of  liis  uncle,  Mr.  Wickham,  when  quite  young,  had  ac- 
cepted a  commission  in  the  Royal  army.  This  gave  a  blow  to  his  popularity 
in  "the  Old  Dominion"  which  neither  the  force  of  his  talents,  his  extraordi- 
nary eloquence,  or  profound  learning  was  able  to  resist.  Although  distin- 
guished as  a  lawyer,  Mr.  Wickham  never  enjoyed  any  popular  favor  from  the 
people  of  Virginia. 

Lieutenant  Nathaniel  Fanning,  late  of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  who  commanded 
several  privateers  in  the  war  of  1S12,  and  the  author  of  Fanning's  Memoirs, 
and  Ca])tain  Edmund  Fanning,  who  projected  the  South  Sea  Exploring  Expe- 
dition by  Captain  Wilkes,  were  residents  of  New  York,  natives  of  Connecti- 
cut, and  nephews  of  Edmund  Fanning.  The  late  Col.  Alex.  Fanning,  of  the 
U.  S.  Artillery,  was  also  his  nephew.* 

The  remark  in  a  recent  publication  that  Colonel  Fanning  suffered  "  the 
loss  of  his  cars,"  from  the  Regulators,  is  an  error.f  As  also  the  statement 
relative  to  him  in  another  production,  that  he  married  the  daughter  of  Gover- 
nor Tryon.J  Upon  what  authority  these  statements  are  made,  is  not  stated. 
The  violence  of  the  Regulators  towards  Fanning  was  doubtless  extreme,  but 
that  his  ears  were  taken  off  is  not  only  violence  to  the  integrity  of  history, 
but  a  reflection  upon  the  people  of  Orange.  It  is  not  for  a  moment  to  be 
supposed  that  after  such  a  disgraceful  mutilation,  Fanning  would  have  been 
elevated  to  the  command  of  a  Brigade  in  the  English  Army,  or  honored  for  a 
long  series  of  years  as  Governor  of  so  important  a  dependency  to  the  British 
Crown  as  Prince  Edward's  Island.  The  connections  of  General  Fanning, 
however  erroneous  his  ideas  may  have  been,  or  however  culpable  his  conduct 
towards  the  colonists,  are  still  among  us.  This  statement  that  he  bore  on  his 
person  so  humiliating  a  mark  of  disgrace,  is  not  only  painful  to  their  feelings, 
but  incorrect,  in  point  of  fact. 

Thomas  Burke,  Govei-nor  of  the  State,  member  of  Congress,  distinguished 
lawyer,  and  able  statesman,  lived  and  died  in  Orange  County.  No  public 
functionary  was  ever  employed  by  the  State  in  more  troubled  times,  none 
more  active  or  talented,  and  none  suffered  more;  none  is  less  kno"wn  to  pos- 
terity, lie  was  a  native  of  Ireland ;  of  most  finished  education,  and  by  pro- 
fession a  physician.  He  emigrated  long  befoi*e  the  Revolution  to  America, 
and  settled  at  Norfolk,  Va.,  where  he  practiced  his  jjrofession.  A  deep  cloud 
hangs  over  his  early  history ;  the  mystery  of  his  leaving  his  native  land  has 
never  been  penetrated.     lie  removed  about  1774  to  Hillsboro'. 

He  abandoned  the  profession  of  medicine  and  studied  law,  which  he  prac- 
ticed W'ith  gi'cat  success  in  Virginia.  One  of  his  compeers  was  Thomas  Jef- 
ferson.    Letters  are  extant  from  Mr.  Jefferson  to  him. 

In  1775  with  Thomas  Hart  he  represented  Orange  in  the  Convention  at 
Newbern  (4th  April). 

At  the  meeting  in  Hillsboro',  August  21st,  1775,  he  represented  Orange 
with  John  Kinchen,  Thomas  Hart,  John  Atkinson,  and  John  Williams,  and 
Francis  Nash,  Wm.  Armstrong,  and  Nathaniel  Rochester,^  from  the  town 
of  Hillsboro'. 

To  the  Provincial  Congress  at  Halifax,  on  4th  of  April,  1776,  Thos.  Burke, 
John  Kinchen,  James  Saunders,  John  Butler,  Nathaniel  Rochester; 
and  from  the  town  of  Hillsboro',  William  Johnston  were  delegates. 

The  seats  of  the  delegates  in  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  in  Nov.  1770,  which 
formed  the  Constitution,  being  vacated  for  irregularity,  the  journals  show, 
that  on  the  IGth  December,  1776,  Thomas  Burke,  Nathaniel  Rochester, 

*  Watson's  Annals  of  Philadelphia,  ii.  341. 

t  "Traditions  and  Reminiscences  of  the  American  Revolution  in  the  South,"  by  Joseph 
Johnson,  M.  D.,  page  573. 

J  Sal)iae".s  History  of  the  Loyalists. 

§  After  this  person  the  town  of  Rochester,  in  New  York,  was  called. 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  333 

Alexander  Mebane,  John  Butler,  and  John  McCabe,  were  duly  returned, 
and  took  their  seats. 

He  took  a  distinguished  part  in  the  formation  of  the  Constitution,  and  on 
20th  Dec.  1776,  he  was  appointed  (with  William  Hooper  and  Joseph  Heaves) 
delegate  to  the  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia.  They  were  allowed 
two  thousand  dollars  a  year,  paid  by  the  State  Treasurer.  He  continued  to 
serve  at  Halifax  until  this  body  adjourned,  23d  December,  177G.  This  body 
sat  on  Sundays:  "  There  are  no  Sabbaths  in  Revolutions." 

He  attended  the  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  and  continued  his.  service  until 
July,  1781,  when,  by  acclamation,  he  was  chosen  Governor  of  the  State  by 
the  General  Assembly. 

While  at  Ilillsboro'  in  the  actual  discharge  of  his  important  duties,  at  a 
time  of  eminent  responsibility,  he  was  seized  in  his  house  at  night,  by  that 
notorious  marauder  and  ferocious  bandit,  Da%'id  Fannin  (for  a  sketch  of  whose 
exploits  and  character  see  Chatham  County),  on  13th  September,  1781,  and 
carried  prisoner  to  AV^ilmington,  then  in  possession  of  the  British  under 
Major  Craig  (afterwards  Sir  James  Craig,  Governor-General  of  Canada).  At 
the  same  time,  John  Huske,*  of  Fayetteville,  who  was  private  secretary  to 
Governor  Burke,  and  James  Read  his  aide-de-camp,  and  others,  were  taken 
by  Fannin,  and  carried  to  Wilmington. 

He  was  sent  a  prisoner  to  Charleston  and  there  confined,  on  St.  James' 
Island.  General  Butler  endeavored  to  intercept  these  kidnappers,  and  over- 
took them  at  Linsly's  Mills,  on  Cane  Creek ;  here  a  sharp  conflict  ensued, 
in  which  Fannin  was  severely  wounded.  But  he  made  good  his  retreat  with 
his  booty.  Alexander  Martin,  who  was  Speaker  of  the  Senate,  exercised, 
during  the  captivity  of  Governor  Burke,  the  executive  functions  of  the  Go- 
vernment. 

Governor  Burke  escaped.  In  April,  1782,  he  resumed  the  reins  of  Govern- 
ment at  Salem. 

In  December,  1782,  he  was  defeated  for  Governor  by  Alexander  Martin. 
The  circumstances  under  which  Governor  Burke  regained  his  liberty,  and 
other  causes,  prevented  his  re-election.  This  doubtless  threw  a  gloom  over  his 
spirits.  He  died  the  next  year  (1783),  at  Hills);oro',  leaving  a  Avife  and  one 
daughter,  Miss  Mary  M.  Burke,  who  now  resides  in  Greene  County,  Alabama. 


" Duncan  is  in  iiis  grave  ! 

ARer  life's  fitful  lever,  lie  sleeps  well  I" 


Alexander  Mebane  was  a  native  resident  and  representative  of  Orange  in 
the  Legislature  and  in  Congress.  He  was  of  Irish  descent,  and  born  in  Haw- 
fields,  26th  November,  1767. 

In  1776  he  was  with  Governor  Burke  and  others,  a  member  of  the  Con- 
vention that  met  at  Halifax  to  form  the  Constitution. 

In  1783  he  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  repeatedly 
afterwards. 

In  1793  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  attended  at  Philadel- 
phia, where  he  married  a  Miss  Claypole.  He  died  soon  afterwards,  5th  July, 
1795,  leaving,  by  a  former  marriage,  several  sons,  among  whom  are  AV^illiam 
Mebane,  Esq.,  of  Mason  Hall,  and  James  Mebane,  Esq.,  now  of  Caswell,  who 
often  represented  Orange  in  the  General  Assembly,  and  who  was  Speaker  in 
1821 ;  the  father  of  Giles  Mebane,  Esq. 

Alexander  Mebane  was  distinguished  for  his  sound  practical  sense,  his 
unblemished  integrity,  and  unflinching  firmness. 

General  Francis  Nash  was  a  resident  of  Orange  County,  Clerk  of  tlie 
County  Court,  and  representative  in  the  Assembly.  He  was  the  brother  of 
Governor  Abner  Nash,  and  uncle  to  Hon.  Frederick  Nash,  now  of  the  Su- 
preme Court. 

lie  was  Clerk  of  Orange  Superior  Court  under  the  Royal  Governor. 

*  Father  of  Rev.  JMr.  Huske,  now  Hector  at  Morganton. 


334 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


On  22d  April,  1776,  he  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  1st  Regiment  of 
North  Carolina  troops;  and  subsequently  promoted  to  be  Brigadier-General. 
He  was  ordered  to  join  General  Washington  at  the  North,  and  commanded 
a  Brigade  at  the  battle  of  Germantown  (on  4th  October,  1777),  when  from 
a  desperate  wound  he  received  from  a  cannon  ball,  his  life  was  offered  up  on 
the  altar  of  his  country's  liberty. 

His  thigh  was  shattered  by  a  cannon  ball,  and  the  same  shot  killed  his 
horse  and  his  aid,  Major  Witherspoon,  son  of  Rev.  Dr.  Witherspoon,  Presi- 
dent of  Nassau  Hall. 

Mr.  De  Haven  assisted  in  carrying  General  Nash  to  his  brother's  house, 
where  he  died.  lie  suffered  much;  the  bleeding  of  his  wound  was  so  pro- 
fuse that  two  feather  beds  on  which  he  lay  were  saturated  with  blood.* 

He  lies  buried  in  the  Mennonlst  burying  ground  atKulpsvIUe,  Montgomery 
County,  Pa.,  twenty-six  miles  from  Philadelphia.  A  monument  has  been 
erected  over  his  remains  by  the  patriotic  liberality  of  the  citizens  of  Ger- 
mantown and  Norristown,  through  John  F.  Watson,  Esq.,  of  Germantown, 
to  whose  disinterested  kindness  North  Carolina  should  be  deeply  grateful. 
The  following  is  a  correct  delineation  of  the  monument  and  a  copy  of  the 
inscription. 

"  YOTA  VIA  MEA  JuS  PaTRIA. 


In  Memory  of 

General  Nash,  of  North  Carolina, 

Mortally  wounded 

at  the  Battle  of  Germantown, 

Here  interred,  October  1777,  in  the  presence 

of  the  Army,  here  encamped. 

J.  F.  W.'' 

Major  Pleasant  Henderson  for  a  long  time  lived  at  Chapel  Hill,  in  this 
County.  He  was  a  son  of  Samuel  Henderson  and  Elizabeth  Williams,  and 
born  in  Hanover  County,  Virginia,  9th  January,  1756,  the  youngest  of  their 
children.  His  brother  Richardf  was  a  Judge  under  the  Colonial  Govern- 
ment, and  a  man  of  distinguished  enterprise  and  Intellect,  and  the  father 
of  late  Judge  Leonard  Henderson,  Chief  Justice  of  our  Supreme  Court,  and 
late  Archibald  Henderson,  Esq.  of  Salisbury.  Pleasant  Henderson  had  a  fair 
education.  Ho  commenced  the  study  of  the  law  under  his  brother,  but  on 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  joined  the  army,  In  Granville  County,  as  Sergeant- 
Major,  and  marched  in  1775  to  Cross  Creek,  in  an  expedition  against  the 
Tories,  but  a  few  days  before  they  were  defeated  at  Moore's  Bridge,  and  the 
troops  returned. 

*  Watson's  Annals  of  Philadelphia,  ii.  53. 
t  For  a  sketch  of  his  life,  see  vol.  i.  102. 


ORANGE  COUNTY.  335 

In  1776,  he  accompanied  his  brother  Nathaniel,  and  -went  to  Boonsboro', 
Kentucky.     After  suifering  much  privation  and  danger  he  returned  home. 

In  177U  lie  volunteered  at  Charlotte,  and  was  appointed  a  Lieutenant ;  with 
his  company  he  marched  to  Charleston.  On  their  arrival  they  were  ordered 
to  Savannah.  Thence  they  proceeded  to  Brier, Creek  on  the  Savannah  Iliver. 
Lieutenant  Henderson  was  dispatched,  by  General  Ashe,  as  messenger  to 
Purysburg,  and  while  on  this  mission,  General  Ashe  was  attacked  and  routed 
by  the  enemy.     His  time  of  service  having  expired,  he  returned  home. 

In  1781,  the  Legislature  ordered  a  Regim.ent  of  two  hundred  mounted  in- 
fantry to  be  raised,  and  gave  the  command  to  a  French  officer.  Colonel  Mal- 
maledy,  and  appointed  Henderson,  Major.  Their  duty  was  to  harass  the 
advance  of  Lord  Cornwallis. 

After  the  war  closed,  Major  Henderson  (in  1782)  was  appointed  Clerk  of 
the  Superior  Court  of  Orange. 

When  Alexander  Martin  was  elected  Governor,  he  offered  Major  Hender- 
son the  post  of  private  secretary,  which  he  accepted  and  served  during  the 
whole  of  Governor  Martin's  administration. 

In  1789,  he  succeeded  Jixigo  John  Haywood,  late  of  Tennessee,  as  Reading 
Clerk  to  the  House  of  Commons,  in  which  he  continued  until  1830,  without 
ever  soliciting  the  supportof  any  man  or  party,  but  relying  on  his  own  merit 
and  qualifications.  He  removed  in  1831  to  Tennessee,  and  died  at  Hunting- 
don, in  that  State,  December  10th,  1842. 

In  1786  he  married  Sai-ah,  the  daughter  of  Colonel  James  Martin,  of  Stokes 
County,  by  whom  he  had  several  children.  Among  them  are  Mrs.  Hamilton 
C.  Jones,  of  Rowan,  Dr.  Pleasant  Henderson  of  Salisbury,  (born  1802,)  Dr. 
Alexander  Martin  Henderson,  of  Davie,  (born  1807.) 

Archibald  Dkbrow  Murphy  was  born  in  Caswell  County,  and  was  edu- 
cated at  the  University,  at  which  he  was  graduated  in  1799.  He  was  tutor  for 
some  time  in  the  University,  and  Professor  of  languages. 

He  entered  public  life  in  1812,  as  a  member  of  the  State  Senate,  and  served 
until  1818,  at  which  session  he  was  elected  a  judge  of  the  Superior  Court 
of  Law  and  Equity,  which  he  resigned  in  1820.  He  was  for  a  period  the 
reporter  of  the  Supreme  Court;  and  was  distinguished  for  his  inquiring  mind, 
laborious  habits,  and  public  spirit.     He  died  about  1829. 

Hon.  William  Norwood,  late  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts,  was  a  native 
of  Orange.     He  was  born  in  1767. 

He  entered  public  life  in  1806,  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons, 
from  liillsboro',  and  was  re-elected  in  1807.  He  was  elected  Judge  of  the 
Superior  Courts,  in  1820,  which  he  resigned  in  1836.  He  died  about  1840, 
and  was  distinguished  for  his  patience,  learning,  and  firmness. 

Hon.  William  Montgomery  was  long  a  representative  of  Orange  County. 
He  was  born  in  Guilford  County,  on  Buffalo ;  by  profession  a  physician.  He 
entered  public  life  as  Senator  in  the  General  Assembly,  in  1824,  and  served, 
with  but  one  intermission,  until  1834,  when  he  was  the  next  year  elected  to 
Congress,  in  which  he  served  with  great  fidelity,  until  1841,  when  he  declined. 

He  died  27th  November,  1844,  aged  53,  leaving  seven  children,  one  of 
whom  (Dr.  D.  A.  Montgomery)  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  last 
session. 

Hon.  Frederick  Nash,  now  a  judge  of  our  Supreme  Court,  is  a  resident  of 
Hillsboro'.  His  father  was  Abner  Nash,  Governor  of  the  State  in  1799. 
Judge  Nash  was  born  in  Newborn,  in  1781  ;  his  fiither  married  tlie  widow  of 
late  Gov.  Dubbs.  He  represented  Newborn  in  the  House  of  Commons,  in 
1804,  and  again  in  1805. 

In  1818  he  was  elected  a  judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  and  Equity, 
which  he  resigned  in  1819. 

In  1827  he  represented  the  town  of  Hillsboro',  in  the  House  of  Commons, 
and  again  in  1828. 


336  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

In  183G  he  was  elected  again  a  judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  from  which 
in  1844,  he  was  transferred  to  the  Supreme  Bench,  which  dignified  position 
he  now  occupies,  with  great  satisfaction  to  the  State,  and  credit  to  himself. 

Hon.  John  Lancaster  Bailt  resides  in  Hillsboro' ;  for  a  sketch  of  whom, 
the  reader  is  referred  to  Pasquotank  County,  in  which  he  was  born,  and 
which  he  represented  for  many  years  in  the  General  Assembly. 

Hon.  WiLLiASf  Alexander  Graham,  now  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  resides 
in  Hillsboro',  and  has  been  the  representative  from  Orange  for  several  years 
in  the  Legislature. 

He  was  born  in  Lincoln  County  on  the  5th  Sept.,  1804.  He  is  the  son  of 
Gen.  Joseph  Graham,  distinguished  for  his  revolutionary  services  ;  the  reader 
is  referred  to  Chapter  XLVI.,  upon  Lincoln  County. 

He  Avas  graduated  at  Chapel  Hill,  in  1824 ;  studied  law  in  Newbern. 

Entered  public  life  in  1833,  as  a  member  from  Hillsboro' ;  re-elected  in 
1834  and  1835,  and  from  the  County  in  1836,  1838,  and  1840.  He  was  often 
^  Speaker  of  the  House. 

In  1841  he  was  elected  Senator  to  Congress,  and  in  1845,  Governor  of  the 
State. 

On  the  election  of  General  Taylor,  Governor  Graham  was  tendered  the 
mission  to  Spain,  which  he'declined;  and  on  the  accession  of  Mr.  Fillmore, 
he  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  which  elevated  post  he  now  occu- 
pies. 

He  married  Susan  Washington,  by  whom  he  has  an  interesting  family. 

Hon.  AViLiE  Person  Mangum,  at  present  one  of  the  Senators  in  the  United 
States,  from  North  Carolina,  is  a  native  and  resident  of  Orange.  He  was 
born  in  1792,  and  educated  at  the  University,  at  which  he  graduated  in  1815. 

He  studied  law,  and  soon  rose  to  eminence  in  the  profession. 

He  entered  the  stormy  sea  of  politics,  in  which  he  has  enjoyed  so  brilliant 
a  career  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  Orange  County,  in  1818. 

In  1819  he  was  elected  a  judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  and  Equity. 

In  1823  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  in  the  House  of  Pvepresentatives, 
and  served  until  1826,  when  he  was  again  appointed  a  judge  of  the  Superior 
Courts. 

In  1831  he  was  elected  Senator  in  Congress,  and  served  until  1837.  He 
was  again  elected  Senator  in  1841,  and  re-elected  in  1848. 

In  1837  he  received  eleven  electoral  votes  (South  Carolina)  for  President 
of  the  United  States ;  and  on  the  death  of  Gen.  Harrison,  in  1841,  on  the 
accession  of  Mr.  Tyler,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  Senate,  and  served 
through  the  terra  of  Mr.  Tyler,  in  this  dignified  office. 

.  He  married  Miss  Cain,  of  Orange  County,  and  has  several  children.  Being 
now  on  the  theatre  of  public  action,  we  can  only  say,  that  the  appreciation 
of  the  talents  of  Judge  Mangum,  and  his  character,  is  fully  evinced  by  the 
dignified  stations  it  has  been  his  fortune  to  fill,  and  he  has  always  been  equal 
to  every  station  he  has  occupied. 

Dr.  James  S.  Smith  represented  the  town  of  Hillsboro',  in  the  House  of 
Commons,  in  1821,  and  the  District,  in  Congress,  in  1817,  in  which  he  served 
until  1821. 

Hon,  John  Scott  represented  Hillsboro'  in  1825,  1826,  and  1827,  at  which 
session  he  was  elected  Solicitor-General.  Several  years  ago  he  removed  to 
Texas,  where  he  was  elected  a  judge,  and  where  he  died,  leaving  a  wife  and 
a  most  interesting  family,  one  of  whom  married  J.  W.  Lancaster,  Esq.,  of 
Graham. 

Hon.  David  L.  Swain  resides  at  Chapel  Hill ;  President  of  the  University 
of  North  Carolina,  and  is  a  native  of  Buncombe,  for  whose  biography,  see 
Buncombe,  Chapter  IX. 


ORAXGE  COUNTY. 


337 


Hon.  William  II.  Battle  resides  at  same  place,  and  is  a  native  of  Edge- 
combe, for  whose  biography  see  Edgecombe,  Chapter  XXVIII. 

List  of  >Icmbers  of  the  House  of  Commons,  from  the  adoption  of 
the  Constitution  in  1770  to  1835. 


HILLSBORO 


years.  House  of  Commons. 

1777.  William  Courtney. 

1778.  William  Courtney. 

1779.  Thomas  TuUock. 

1780.  Thomas  Tullock. 

1781.  Thomas  Tullock. 

1782.  Thomas  Farmer. 

1783.  Thomas  Farmer. 

1784.  Archibald  Lytle.  ^ 

1785.  John  Taylor. 

1786.  John  TaVlor. 

1787.  John  Taylor. 

1788.  Absalom  Tatom. 

1789.  Wm.  Nash. 

1790.  Wm.  Nash. 

1791.  David  Hay. 

1792.  Samuel  Benton. 

1793.  Alexander  D.  Moore. 

1794.  John  Hogg. 

1795.  Samuel  Benton. 

1796.  John  Hogg. 

1797.  Absalom  Tatom. 

1798.  Absalom  Tatom. 

1799.  Absalom  Tatom. 

1800.  Absalom  Tatom. 

1801.  Absalom  Tatom. 

1802.  Absalom  Tatom. 

1803.  Barnaby  O'Farrel  (Catlett 

Campbell  resigned). 

1804.  Catlett  Campbell. 

1805.  Catlett  Campbell. 


Years.  House  of  Commons. 

1806.  William  Norwood. 

1807.  AVilliam  Norwood. 

1808.  Catlett  Campbell. 

1809.  Catlett  Cami)bell. 

1810.  Henry  Thompson. 

1811.  Henry  Thompson. 

1812.  John  Street. 

1813.  Thomas  Kuffin. 

1814.  James  Child. 

1815.  Thomas  Ruffin. 

1816.  Thomas  Kuffin. 

1817.  William  Lockhart. 

1818.  John  Scott. 

1819.  John  Scott. 

1820.  John  Scott. 

1821.  James  S.  Smith. 

1822.  Thomas  Clancv. 

1823.  Thomas  Clancy. 

1824.  John  Scott. 

1825.  John  Scott. 

1826.  John  Scott. 

1827.  John  Scott. 

1828.  Frederick  Nash. 

1829.  Frederick  Nash. 

1830.  AVm.  II.  Phillips. 

1831.  Thomas  J.  Faddis. 

1832.  Thomas  J.  Faddis. 

1833.  William  A.  Graham. 

1834.  William  A.  Graham. 

1835.  William  A.  Graham. 


In  1835  the  Convention  abolished  the  Borough  representation. 

List  of  Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Orange  County, 
from  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  to  the  last  session. 


Years. 

1777. 
1778. 
1779. 
1780. 
1781. 
1782. 
1783. 
1784. 
1785. 
1786. 
1787. 
1788. 
1789. 
1790. 
1791. 
1792. 


Senate. 


John  Butler, 
William  Mcbane, 
William  McCauley, 
Wm.  JNIcCaulcy, 
Wm,  McCauley, 
Wm.  McCauley, 
Wm.  McCauley, 
Wm.  McCauley, 
Joseph  Ilodge, 
William  Courtney, 
Joseph  Ilodge, 
Wm.  F.  Strudwick, 


House  of  Commons. 
Thomas  Burke,  John  Butler. 
John  Butler,  Wm.  McCauley, 
AVm.  McCauley,  Mark  Patterson. 
Wm.  McCauley,  Mark  Patterson. 
Jesse  Benton,  Bobert  Campbell. 
Wm.  McCauley,  Mark  Patterson. 
Alexander  Mebane,  Thomas  Burke. 
jVlexander  Mebane,  Thomas  Burke. 
William  Courtney,  AVilliam  Cain. 
Jonathan  Lindlay,  Wm.  Hooper. 
Alexander  Mebane,  Jonathan  Lindlay. 
Alexander  Mebane,  Jonathan  Lindlay. 
Alexander  Mebane,  Jonatlian  Lindlay. 
Alexander  Mebane,  John  Carriugton. 
Alexander  Mebane,  Jonathan  Lindlay. 
Alexander  Mebane,  William  Nash. 


338 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years. 


Senate. 


1793. 

William  Sheppard, 

1794. 

■\Villiam  Cain, 

1795. 

William  Cain, 

1796. 

William  Cain, 

1797. 

Wm.  F.  Strudwick,' 

1798. 

David  Ray, 

1799. 

David  Ray, 

1800. 

David  Ray, 

1801. 

William  Sheppard, 

1802. 

William  Cain, 

1803. 

AVilliam  Sheppard, 

1804. 

David  Ray, 

1805. 

Jonathan  Lindlay, 

1806. 

David  Ray, 

1807. 

David  Ray, 

1808. 

James  Mebane, 

1809. 

James  Mebane, 

1810. 

James  Mebane, 

1811. 

James  Mebane, 

1812. 

Arch'd  D.  Murphey, 

1813. 

A.  D.  Murphey, 

1814. 

A.  D.  Murphey, 

1815. 

A.  D.  Murphey, 

1816. 

A.  D.  Murphey, 

1817. 

A.  D.  Murphey, 

1818. 

A.  D.  Murphey, 

1819. 

Duncan  Cameron, 

1820. 

Michael  Holt, 

1821. 

Michael  Holt, 

1822. 

Duncan  Cameron, 

1823. 

Duncan  Cameron, 

1824. 

Wm.  ^Montgomery, 

1825. 

Wm.  Montgomery, 

1826. 

Wm.  Montgomery, 

1827. 

Wm.  Montgomery, 

1828. 

James  Mebane, 

1829. 

Wm.  Montgomery, 

1830. 

Wm.  Montgomery, 

1831. 

Wm.  Montgomery, 

1«32. 

Wm.  Montgomery, 

1833. 

Wm.  Montgomery, 

1834. 

Wm.  Montgomery, 

1835. 

James  Allison, 

1836. 

Hugh  Waddell, 

1838. 

Joseph  Allison, 

1840. 

Wilie  P.  Mangum, 

1842. 

Joseph  Allison, 

1844. 

Hugh  Waddell, 

1846. 

Hugh  Waddell, 

1848. 

John  Berry, 

1850. 

John  Berry, 

House  of  Commons. 

Walter  Alves,  Wm.  Nash. 

William  Lytle,  Walter  Alves. 

Walter  Alves,  Wm.  Lytle. 

Samuel  Benton,  John  Cabe. 

Samuel  Benton,  John  Cabe. 

James  3Iebane,  John  Cabe. 

Samuel  Benton,  William  F.  Strudwick.      • 

Samuel  Benton,  John  Cabe. 

Wm.  F.  Strudwick,  James  Mebane. 

Wm.  F.  Strudwick,  Duncan  Cameron. 

James  Mebane,  Wm.  F.  Strudwick. 

John  Thompson,  Michael  Holt. 

John  Thompson,  David  Mebane. 

Duncan  Cameron,  David  Mebane. 

Duncan  Cameron,  John  Thompson. 

John  Thompson,  David  Mebane. 

John  Thompson,  David  Mebane. 

John  Thompson,  David  Mebane. 

John  Craig,  John  Thompson. 

Duncan  Cameron,  John  Craig. 

Duncan  Cameron,  John  Craig. 

J.  Craig,  Frederick  Nash. 

Frederick  Nash,  John  Craig. 

AVilliam  Holt,  Frederick  Nash. 

AVilliam  Holt,  Frederick  Nash. 

James  Mebane,  AYilie  P.  Mangum. 

AV.  Barbee,  AA^ilie  P.  Mangum. 

AVillie  Shaw,  James  Mebane. 

AVillie  Shaw,  James  Mebane. 

James  Mebane,  John  McCauley. 

James  Mebane,  John  McCauley. 

AVilliam  McCauley,  James  Mebane. 

AVilliam  McCauley,  John  Boon. 

John  Boon,  John  Stockard. 

John  Boon,  John  Stockard. 

Hugh  AVaddell,  John  Stockard. 

Thomas  H.  Taylor,  John  Stockard. 

John  Stockard,  Joseph  Allison. 

Joseph  Allison. 

Joseph  Allison,  Priestley  H.  Mangum. 

Joseph  Allison,  John  Stockard. 

Joseph  Allison,  John  Stockard. 

John  Stockard,  James  Forest. 

AVm.  A.  Graham,  Nathaniel  J.  King,  Jno. 

Boon,  John  Stockard. 
B.  Trollinger,  J.  Stockard,  H.  Sims,  Wm. 

A.  Graham. 

AVm.  A.  Graham,  Nathan.  J.  King,  M.  W. 
Holt,  Cadwallader  Jones,  Jr. 

Cadwallader  Jones,  Jr.,  J.  S.  Bracken,  John 
Stockard,  Henry  K.  Nash. 

J.  B.  Leathers,  Loften  K.  Pratt,  Giles  Me- 
bane, C.  F.  Faucett. 

Giles  Mebane,  C.  F.  Faucett,  J.  B.  Leathers, 
Sidney  Smith. 

Cadwallader  Jones,  Jr.,  G.  H.  McDade,  J. 
Stockard,  Giles  Mebane. 

Cadwallader  Jones,  Jr.,  D.  A.  Montgomery, 

B.  L.  Durban,  George  Patterson. 


PASQUOTANK  COUNTY.  339 


CHAPTER    LIX. 


PASQUOTANK  COUNTY. 


Pasquotank  County  existed  in  1729,  one  of  the  original 
precincts  of  ancient  Albemarle. 

It  derives  its  name  from  the  tribe  of  Indians  who  once  owned  the 
soil. 

It  is  situated  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded 
on  the  north  by  the  Virginia  line,  east  by  Camden,  south  by  the 
Albemarle  Sound,  and  west  by  Perquimans  and  Gates. 

Its  capital  is  Elizabeth  City,  which  is  two  hundred  and  fifteen 
miles  north-east  of  Raleigh. 


a' 


Its  population  in  1850,  was  4,611  whites;  1,234 free  negroes ;  3,105  slaves ; 
7,708  representative  population. 

Its  products  in  1840,  was  473,970  bushels  of  corn;  45,101  bushels  of  oats; 
19,130  bushels  of  wheat;  5,778  pounds  of  wool. 

Pasquotank  sent  to  the  Assembly  at  Newborn,  on  25th  August,  1774,  Joseph 
JoxES,  Edward  Eterigen,  and  Joseph  Redding. 

To  the  Assembly  at  same  place,  April  3d,  1775,  she  sent  Jonathan'  Hear- 
ing, Edward  Everigen,  Isaac  Gregory,  Joseph  Jones,  and  Joseph  Redding. 

To  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  on  April  4th,  1776,  Thomas  Boyd,  Joseph 
Jones,  William  Ccmming,  Dempset  Burgess,  and  Henry  Abkot. 

To  the  Convention  at  Halifax,  Nov.  12th,  1776,  Henry  Ahbot,  Devotion 
Davis,  Isaac  Gregory,  Dempsey  Burgess  and  Lemuel  Sawyer. 

Two  Regiments  were  created  in  1776,  Thomas  Boyd,  Colonel  of  the  1st ; 
Spencer  Ripley  Lieutenant-Colonel,  Othniel  Lascelles  Major,  John  Casey 
2d  Major. 

Isaac  Gregory  Colonel  of  the  2d,  Dempsey  Burgess  Lieutenant-Colonel, 
Joshua  Campbell  Major,  Peter  Dauge  2d  Major. 

Hon.  John  L.  Bailey,  son  of  Gabriel  Bailey,  was  born  in  Pasquotank, 
Aug.  13th,  1795.  Educated  at  Chapel  Hill,  and  studied  law  under  Hon.  James 
Iredell,  in  Edenton. 

Entered  public  life  in  1824,  in  the  House  of  Commons,  and  elected  in  1827 
in  the  Senate,  and  re-elected  in  1828.  Elected  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts 
in  1836,  which  dignified  position  he  now  holds. 

He  married,  in  1821,  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Browrigg,  Esq.,  of  Chowan. 

Hon.  William  Biddle  Shepard  resides  in  Elizabeth  City.  He  was  born 
in  Newborn  in  1799,  educated  at  Chapel  Hill,  studied  law,  elected  to  Congress 
iu  1829  and  served  until  1837„when  he  declined  a  re-election.  In  l^oS  he 
was  elected  a  member  of  the  State  Senate,  which  position  he  now  occupies. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Pasquotank   County, 
from  1T7G  to  last  session. 


^ 


340 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLIl^A. 


Years. 

1777. 
1778. 
1779. 
17?<0. 
1781. 
1782. 
1783. 
1784. 
1785. 
1786. 
1787. 
1788. 
1790. 
1791. 
1792. 
1793. 
1794. 
1795. 
1796. 
1797. 
1798. 
1799. 
1800. 
1801. 
1802. 
1803. 
1804. 
1805. 
1806. 
1807. 
1808. 
1809. 
1810. 
1811. 
1812. 
1813. 
1814. 
1815. 
1816. 
1817. 
1818. 
1819. 
1820. 
1821. 
1822. 
1823. 
1824. 
1825. 
1826. 
1827. 
1828. 
1829. 
1830. 
1831. 
1832. 
1833. 
1834. 
1835. 
1836. 
1838. 


Senate. 


House  of  Commons. 

James  Ferebee,  Thos.  Harvey. 
Thos.  Harvey,  Thos.  Relfe. 
John  Blackstock,  Thos.  Reading, 
John  Blackstock,  Thos.  Harvey. 


Edward  Everigen, 
Edward  Everigen, 
Thomas  Relfe, 
Thomas  Relfe, 
Thomas  Relfe, 
Thomas  Relfe, 
Joseph  Keaton, 
Joseph  Keaton, 
Joseph  Keaton, 
John  Swann, 
Thomas  Reading, 
Joseph  Keaton; 
Joseph  Keaton, 
Thomas  Banks, 
Thomas  Banks, 
Thomas  Banks, 
Bailey  Jackson, 
Bailey  Jackson, 
Bailey  Jackson, 
Thomas  Banks, 
Timothy  Cotter, 
Timothy  Cotter, 
Thaddeus  Freshwater, 
Wm.  S.  Hinton, 
Wm.  S.  Hinton, 
Wm.  S.  Hinton, 
"Wm.  S.  Hinton, 
Thaddeus  Freshwater, 
Thaddeus  Freshwater, 
Samuel  Warner, 
Wm.  S.  Hinton, 
Wm.  S.  Hinton, 
Wm.  T.  Relfe, 
Wm.  Martin, 
Asa  Sanderlin, 
Wm,  Martin, 
Wm.  Martin, 
Wm.  Martin, 
John  Pool, 
Wm.  C.  George, 
John  Pool, 
John  Pool, 
John  Pool, 
Thomas  Bell, 
John  L.  Bailey, 
John  L.  Bailey, 
John  Pool, 
Lemuel  Jennings, 
John  Pool, 
John  L.  Bailey, 
John  M.  Skinner, 
Frederick  Whitehurst, 
Frederick  Whitehurst, 
John  M.  Skinner, 
Wm.  B.  Shepard, 


Thomas  Reading,  Wm 
Thomas  Readinj;,  Wm 


Lane. 
_  Lane. 

Thomas  Reading,  John  Smithson. 
Edward  Everigen,  Abraham  Jones. 
Thomas  Reading,  Edward  Everigen. 
Caleb  H.  Koen,  Edward  Everigen. 
Edward  Everigen,  Devotion  Davis. 

Edward  Everigen,  Reading. 

Thaddeus  Freshwater. 
Thomas  Harvey,  Devotion  Davis. 
John  Lane,  John  Hamilton. 
Devotion  Davis,  Thomas  Banks. 
Bailey  Jackson,  John  Lane. 
John  Lane,  Bailey  Jackson. 
Wm.  Ferange,  Bailey  Jackson. 
John  Shaw,  Wm.  S.  Hinton. 
John  Shaw,  Wm.  S.  Hinton. 
Thomas  Banks,  Wm.  S.  Hinton. 
Thomas  Banks,  Wm.  S.  Hinton. 
Timothy  Cotter,  F.  B.  Sawyer. 
F.  B.  Sawyer,  Jesse  Reading. 
F.  B.  Sawyer,  Jesse  Reading. 
F.  B.  Sawyer,  Marmaduke  Scott. 
F.  B.  Sawyer,  Marmaduke  Scott. 
John  Hamilton,  Marmaduke  Scott. 
Marmaduke  Scott,  John  Mullen. 
Wm.  T.  Relfe,  James  Carver. 
Wm.  T.  Relfe,  Marmaduke  Scott. 
Marmaduke  Scott,  Wm.  T.  Relfe. 
Wm.  T.  Relfe,  James  Carver. 
Wm.  T.  Relfe,  Thos.  Jordan. 
Wm.  T.  Relfe,  Wm.  Martin. 
John  Mullen,  James  Jennings. 
Leonard  Martin,  Thomas  Jordan. 
John  Pool,  Jr.,  Henry  P.  Overman. 
John  Pool,  Jr.,  Leonard  Martin. 
John  C.  Eringhaus,  Leonard  Martin. 
John  C.  Eringhaus,  Leonard'  Martin. 
Leonard  Martin,  Thomas  Bell. 
Thomas  Bell,  Leonard  Martin. 
Carter  Barnard,  Thomas  Bell. 
John  L.  Bailey,  Carter  Barnard. 
Wm.  J.  Hardy,  Thomas  Bell. 
Wm.  J.  Hardy,  Thomas  Jordan. 
John  Pool,  William  J.  Hardy. 
John  Pool,  Wm.  Gregory. 
Thomas  Jordan,  Thomas  Bell. 
Thomas  Bell,  John  M.  Skinner. 
Thomas  Bell,  John  M.  Skinner. 
AV'm.  T.  Relfe,  Frederick  A.  Sawyer. 
Wm.  T.  Relfe,  Nathan  M.  Roper. 
John  C.  Blatchford,  Thos.  C.  Matthews. 
Thomas  Bell,  John  B.  Muse. 
David  H.  Kenyan. 
A.  G.  Proctor. 


PERQUIMANS  COUNTY.  341 


Years. 

Senate. 

House  of  Common  s, 

1840. 

^Vm. 

B.  Sheparfl, 

A.  G.  Proctor. 

1842. 

Jona 

.  11.  Jacocks, 

John  C.  B.  Eringhaus. 

1844. 

Wm. 

B.  Shepard, 

John  C.  B.  Eringhaus. 

1846. 

J.  C. 

B.  Eringhaus, 

William  Charles. 

1848. 

Wm. 

B.  Shepard, 

A.  G.  Proctor. 

1850. 

Wm. 

B.  Shepard, 

George  D.  Poole. 

CHAPTER    LX. 


PERQUIMANS  COUNTY. 


Perquimans  County  was  the  earliest  settlement  in  North  Caro- 
lina, and  derives  its  name  from  the  tribe  of  Indians  v^ho  once  were 
owners  of  the  soil. 

It  is  situated  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Gates,  east  by  Pasquotank,  south  by  Albemarle 
Sound,  and  west  by  Chowan  County. 

Hertford  is  the  county  town,  and  distant  north-east  from  Raleigh 
one  hundred  and  ninety-four  miles. 

Its  population  (1850)  3,629  whites  ;  450  free  negroes  ;  3,252  slaves  ;  6,030 
representative  population. 

Its  products  (1840)  369,032  bushels  corn;  35,649  bushels  ^vheat ;  22,068 
bushels  oats  ;  65,216  lbs.  cotton  ;  8,627  lbs.  wool ;  9,083  bbls.  fish. 

Although  the  English  ships  landed  in  1584  on  the  shores  of 
North  Carolina,  after  repeated  attempts  the  settlement  was  aban- 
doned at  the  time.  The  first  permanent  settlement  was  formed 
after  the  expulsion  of  the  Quakers  from  Virginia  in  1662.* 

In  that  year  the  King  of  Yeopim  Indians  granted  to  George 
Durant,  the  neck  of  land  between  the  Little  River  and  the  Per- 
quimans River.  This  is  the  oldest  land  title  in  North  Carolina  ; 
and  this  the  earliest  permanent  settlement  in  the  State. 

The  first  representatives  from  this  county  (independent  of  the  authority 
of  the  crown),  at  Newbern,  25th  Aug.  1774,  were  John  Harvey,  Bexjami.v 
Harvey,  Thomas  Harvey,  Andrew  Knox  and  JonN  Wuidbee,  Jr. 

The  same  attended  at  Nowbern,  on  3d  April,  1775. 

At  Halifax,  on  4th  April,  1776,  Miles  Harvey,  William  Skinner,  Tnos. 
Harvey,  Charles  Blocnt,  and  Charles  Moore. 

The  field-ofiicers  were  Miles  Harvey,  Colonel;  William  Skinner,  Lieut.- 
Colonel;  Thomas  Harvey,  Major;  Richard  Clayton,  Second  Major. 

To  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  12th  Nov.,  1776,  Benjamin  Hakvev,  3Iile3 
Harvey,  Thomas  Harvey,  and  William  Hooi'er. 

The  character  of  John  Harvey  is  dear  to  the  State.  He  succeeded  John 
Ashe,  in  1766,  as  Speaker  of  the  House.  Ashe  had  succeeded  Samuel 
Swann. 

In  1767,  '68,  and  '69,  he  presided  with  great  dignity,  and  received,  at  the 

*  Bancroft's  United  St;i!es,  ii. 


342 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


close  of  each  session,  the  unanimous  thanks  of  the  House  for  hisjmpajtiality. 
He  was  chosen  Moderator  of  the  first  Convention  of  the  people  in  1774.  He 
was  distinguished  for  his  intellectual  power,  decision  of  character,  and  firm- 
ness of  principles.  He  died  just  as  the  Revolution,  in  which  he  had  so  active 
an  agency,  had  burst  forth,  and  his  name  and  services  deserve  a  grateful 
remembrance. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Perquimans  County, 
from  1777  to  1850-51. 


Years.  Senate. 

1777.  Jesse  Eason, 

1778.  Jesse  Eason, 

1779.  Jesse  Eason, 

1780.  Jesse  Eason, 

1781.  Jesse  Eason, 

1782.  Jesse  Eason, 

1783.  Jesse  Eason, 

1784.  John  Skinner, 

1785.  John  Skinner, 

1786.  John  Skinner, 

1787.  John  Skinner, 

1788.  Thomas  Harvey, 

1790.  Joshua  .Skinner, 

1791.  Joshua  Skinner, 

1792.  Joshua  Skinner, 

1793.  Joshua  Skinner, 

1794.  Robert  Reddick, 

1795.  Robert  Reddick, 

1796.  Joseph  Harvey, 

1797.  Joseph  Harvey, 

1798.  Joseph  Harvey, 

1799.  Joseph  Harvey, 

1800.  Joseph  Harvey, 

1801.  Joseph  White, 

1802.  Joseph  White, 

1803.  Joseph  White, 

1804.  Joseph  White, 

1805.  Joseph  White, 

1806.  William  Blount, 

1807.  Joseph  White, 

1808.  Willis  Reddick, 

1809.  Willis  Reddick, 

1810.  Willis  Reddick, 

1811.  Willis  Reddick, 

1812.  AVillis  Reddick, 

1813.  Willis  Reddick, 

1814.  Willis  Reddick, 

1815.  Willis  Reddick, 

1816.  Willis  Reddick, 

1817.  Willis  Reddick, 

1818.  Willis  Reddick, 

1819.  Willis  Reddick, 

1820.  Willis  Reddick, 

1821.  Willis  Reddick, 

1822.  Jona.  H.  Jacocks, 

1823.  AVillis  Reddick, 

1824.  Willis  Reddick, 
1825.-    Willis  Reddick, 

1826.  AVillis  Reddick, 

1827.  Willis  Reddick, 

1828.  Willis  Reddick, 


House  of  Commons. 
Benj.  Harvey,  John  Harvey. 
Charles  Blount,  John  Harvey. 
John  Whedbee,  Jonathan  Skinner. 
John  Whedbee,  Jonathan  Skinner. 
John  Whedbee,  Jonathan  Skinner. 
Jonathan  Skinner,  Richard  Whedbee. 
John  Skinner,  John  Reed. 
John  Reed,  Robert  Reddick. 
Robert  Reddick,  Jonathan  Skinner. 
Foster  Toms,  Thomas  Harvey. 
Thomas  Harvey,  Joseph  Skinner. 

Joshua  Skinner,  Joseph  Harvey. 

Ashbury  Sutton, Perry. 

Robert  Reddick,  Ashbury  Sutton. 

Robert  Reddick,  Gosby  Toms. 

Charles  Harvey,  Robert  Reddick. 
John  Skinner,  Joseph  Harvey. 

Francis  Newby,  Joseph  Harvey. 

Charles  Harvey,  William  Blount. 

John  Skinner,  Joseph  White. 

Chai-les  Harvey,  Joseph  White. 

Charles  Harvey,  Chs.  W.  Blount. 

John  Nixon,  Charles  W.  Blount. 

William  Blount,  Josiah  Jordan. 

Wm.  Robinson,  Wm.  Blount. 

Jos.  B.  Skinner,  Thomas  Harvey. 

Erie  Barrow,  Thos.  H.  Harvey. 

Willis  Reddick,  Thos.  Nicholson. 

Thos.  Nicholson,  Willis  Reddick. 

Willis  Reddick,  Josiah  Townsend. 

Isaac  Barber,  Josiah  Townsend. 

Isaac  Barber,  John  Clary. 

Isaac  Barber,  Jesse  Copeland. 

Isaac  Barber,  Jesse  Copeland. 

Isaac  Barber,  Henry  Copeland. 

Isaac  Barber,  Henry  Copeland. 

William  Jones,  F.  Toms. 

Francis  Toms,  William  Jones. 

William  Jones,  F.  Toms. 

Robert  Perry,  AVilliam  Reddick. 

Robert  Perry,  James  Leigh. 

T.  Barrow,  Robert  Perry. 

Theophilus  Barrow,  J.  Nixon. 

John  Nixon,  Matthew  Jordan. 
Theo.  Barrow,  II.  Skinner. 
Theo.  Barrow,  M.  Elliott. 
Theo.  Barrow,  Henry  Skinner. 
Henry  Skinner,  Elisha  Burke. 
Elisha  Burke,  Robert  Perry. 
Elisha  Burke,  Robert  Perry. 

Thos.  AVilson,  Daniel  Rogerson.  . 


PJERSON  COUNTY. 


343 


Years.  Senate. 

1829.  Willis  Reddick, 

1830.  Henry  Skinner, 

1831.  Henry  Skinner, 

1832.  Henry  Skinner, 

1833.  Henry  Skinner, 

1834.  Jesse  Wilson, 

1835.  Jesse  Wilson, 

1836.  John  M.  Skinner, 
1838.  Wm.  B.  Shepard, 
1840.  Win.  B.  Shepard, 
1842.  Jona.  H.  Jacocks, 
1844.  Wm.  B.  Shepard, 
1846.  J.  C.  B.  Eringhaus, 
1848.  Wm.  B.  Shepard, 
1850.  Wm.  B.  Shepard, 


House  of  Commons. 
Thos.  Wilson,  Benjamin  Mullen. 
Jos.  W.  Townsend,  Thomas  Wilson. 
Benjamin  Mullen,  Thomas  Wilson. 
Jos.  W.  Townsend,  Benjamin  Mullen. 
Benjamin  Mullen,  Thos.  Wilson. 
Benjamin  3Iullen,  Josiah  Perry. 
Jona.  H.  Jacocks,  J.  T.  Cranberry. 
Josiah  T.  Granberry. 
Thomas  Wilson. 
Thomas  Wilson. 
Thomas  Wilson. 
Thomas  Wilson. 
T.  L.  Skinner. 
T.  L.  Skinner. 
Thomas  Wilson. 


CHAPTER    LXI. 


PERSON  COUNTY. 


Person  County  was  formed  in  1791  from  Caswell,  and  called 
in  honor  of  General  Thomas  Person,  of  Granville  County,  who 
was  a  distinguished  friend  of  popular  rights.  (For  a  sketch  of 
whom  see  Granville,  Chapter  XXXIII.) 

It  is  located  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State,  bounded  on  the 
north  by  the  Virginia  line,  east  by  Granville,  south  by  Orange,  and 
west  by  Caswell. 

Roxboro',  its  county  seat,  is  fifty-four  miles  north  of  Raleigh. 

Population,  1850,  5,593  whites ;  295  free  negroes  ;  4,893  slaves  ;  8,823  re- 
presentative population. 

Products,  1840,  1,030,303  lbs.  tobacco;  120,038  bushels  corn  ;  107,200 lbs. 
cotton  ;  7,057  lbs.  wool ;  18,712  bushels  wheat;  36,610  bushels  oats. 

Hon.  James  Gustavus  Adolphus  Williamson  was  a  native  of  Person,  a 
lawyer  by  profession,  and  in  1823  represented  this  county  in  the  General 
Assembly  in  the  House  of  Commons.  He  was  Consul  of  the  United  States 
at  Venezuela,  and  about  1830  appointed  Charge  d'Affairs  at  Caraccas.  lU 
died  at  Puerto  Cabello  7th  August,  1842.  His  widow  resides  in  Philadel- 
phia. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Person  County,  from 
date  of  its  erection  to  last  session,  1850-51. 


Years.  Senate. 

1792.  James  Jones, 

1793.  William  Cocke, 

1794.  James  Jones, 

1795.  James  Jones, 

1796.  John  Campbell, 

1797.  John  Campbell. 

31 


House  of  Commons. 

John  Womack,  George  Lea. 
George  Lea,  Herndon  Harralson. 
Horndon  Harralson,  George  Lea. 
Edward  Atkinson,  Herndon  Harralson. 
Edward  Atkinson,  George  Lea. 
George  Lea,  John  Hall. 


344 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

179S.  John  Campbell, 

1799.  John  Campbell, 

1800.  John  Woniack, 

1801.  Samuel  Smith, 

1802.  Samuel  Smith, 

1803.  Samuel  Smith, 

1804.  George  Lea, 

1805.  George  Lea, 
180G.  George  Lea, 
1807.  James  Cochran, 
i808.  Richard  Atkinson, 

1809.  Piichard  Atkinson, 

1810.  Richard  Atkinson, 

1811.  Alex.  Cunningham, 

1812.  Richard  Atkinson, 

1813.  Richard  Atkinson, 

1814.  Richard  Atkinson, 

1815.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1816.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1817.  Richard  Atkinson, 

1818.  Richard  Atkinson, 

1819.  Richard  Atkinson, 

1820.  Richard  Atkinson, 

1821.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1822.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1823.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1824.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1825.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1826.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1827.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1828.  Maurice  Smith, 

1829.  Maurice  Smith, 

1830.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1831.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1832.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1833.  Robert  Vanhook, 

1834.  Isham  Edwards, 

1835.  Isham  Edwards, 

1836.  John  Barnett, 
1838.  John  W.  Williams, 
1840.  John  W.  Williams, 
1842.  John  W.  Williams, 
1844.  Robert  11.  Hester, 
1846.  Robert  H.  Hester, 
1848.  Robert  H.  Hester, 
1850.  Robert  H.  Hester, 


House  of  Commons. 
George  Lea,  Jos.  D.  McFarland. 
George  Lea,  John  Hall. 
George  Lea,  Herndon  Harralson, 
James  Williamson,  Wm.  Mitchell. 
James  Williamson,  James  Cochran. 
James  Cochran,  William  Mitchell. 
James  Cochran,  William  Mitchell. 
James  Cochran,  William  Mitchell. 
James  Cochran,  Richard  Atkinson. 
Robert  Vanhook,  Richard  Atkinson. 
Robert  Vanhook,  John  Paine. 
Robert  Vanhook,  Benjamin  Chambers. 
Robert  Vanhook,  John  Paine. 
Robert  Vanhook,  Benjamin  Chambers. 
Robert  Vanhook,  Lawrence  Vanhook. 
Benjamin  Chambers,  Samuel  Dickens. 
Samuel  Dickens,  R.  Vanhook. 
S9,mpson  M.  Glenn,  Samuel  Dickens. 
Thomas  Webb,  Sampson  M.  Glenn. 
Thomas  Webb,  Ira  Lea. 
William  A.  Lea,  Samuel  Dickens. 
L.  Rainey,  B.  Chambers. 
Benjamin  Chambers,  Thomas  Sneed. 
Thomas  Webb,  Thomas  Sneed. 
Thomas  Sneed,  Thomas  Webb. 
Thomas  Webb,  J.  G.  A.  Williamson. 
J.  G.  A.  Williamson,  T.  Webb. 
Thomas  Webb,  J.  G.  A.  Williamson. 
Thomas  McGehee,  Thomas  Webb. 
Thomas  Lawson,  Thomas  Webb. 
Thomas  Webb,  Elijah  Hester. 
Thomas  Webb,  Thomas  M.  McGehee. 
Thomas  McGehee,  Thomas  Lawson. 
Benjamin  Sumner,  Thomas  McGehee. 
Benjamin  Sumner,  Robert  Jones. 
Robert  Jones,  Thomas  McGehee. 
Robert  Jones,  Jas.  M.  AVilliamson. 
Jas.  M.  Williamson,  Robert  Jones. 
Moses  Chambers,  Jas.  M.  Williamson. 
Robert  Jones,  Moses  Chambers. 
Robert  Jones,  Moses  Chambers. 
John  A.  Ilolloway,  Hiram  Satterfield. 
John  Cunningham. 
James  Iloleman. 
C.  II.  K.  Taylor. 
C.  S.  Winstead. 


PITT  COUNTY.  345 


CHAPTER  LXII. 


PITT  COUNTY. 


Pitt  County  was  formed  from  Beaufort  as  early  as  1760,  and 
called  in  compliment  to  William  Pitt,  Earl  of  Chatham,  who  was 
so  distinguished  and  devoted  a  friend  to  America  in  the  English 
Parliament. 

It  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded  on 
the  north  bj  Edgecombe  and  Martin,  east  by  Hyde  and  Beaufort, 
south  by  Craven,  and  west  by  Greene  and  Lenoir. 

Greenville,  its  capital,  is  one  hundred  and  two  miles  east  of  Ra- 
leigh. 

Its  population  (1850)  6,664  whites ;  100  free  negroes;  6,633  slaves  ;  10,743 
representative  population. 

Its  products  (1840)  376,455  bushels  corn;  9,751  bushels  wheat;  6,424 
bushels  oats  ;  2,574  bushels  rye  ;  510,259  pounds  cotton ;  4,040  pounds  wool ; 
600  bbls.  fish  ;  55,769  bbls.  turpentine. 

Pitt  sent  to  Newborn,  25th  August,  1774,  Edward  Salter  and  John  Simp- 
son. 

To  the  same  place  in  April,  1775,  she  sent  the  same,  and  James  GoRnAM, 
James  Lanier  and  William  IIobeson. 

To  Ilillsboro'  21st  August,  1775,  John  Simpson,  Robert  Salter,  William 
Bryan,  James  Gorham,  James  Latham. 

To  Halifax  4th  April,  1776,  John  Simpson,  Edward  Salter  and  William 
Robeson. 

Her  officers  were  John  Simpson,  Colonel ;  Robert  Salter,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  ;  George  Evans,  Major  ;  James  Armstrong,  2d  Major. 

The  following  letter  will  evince  the  spirit  of  Pitt.  From  the 
Proceedings  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  Pitt  County. 

Martinborougu,  July  1st,  1775, 

The  committee  of  the  county  met  according  to  order  as  before  mentioncil, 
and  has  entered  into  the  following  association. 

We,  the  suljscribcrs,  freeholders,  and  inhabitants  of  the  county  of  Pitt 
and  town  of  Martinborough,  being  deeply  affected  with  the  present  alarming 
state  of  this  province  and  of  all  America — 

Do  resolve,  that  we  will  pay  all  due  allegiance  to  his  Majesty  King  George 
the  Third,  and  endeavor  to  continue  the  succession  of  his  crown,  in  the  illiic- 
trious  house  of  Hanover,  as  by  law  established  against  the  present  or  any 
future  wicked  ministry  or  arbitrary  set  of  men  whatsoever,  at  the  same  time 
we  are  determined  to  assert  our  rights  as  men,  and  sensible  that  by  the  late 
acts  of  Parliament,  the  most  valuable  liberties  and  privileges  of  America 
are  invaded,  and  endeavored  to  be  violated  and  destroj'cd,  and  that  under 
God  the  reservation  of  them  depends  on  a  firm  union  of  the  inhabitants,  and 
a  steady,  spirited  observation  of  the  resolutions  of  the  General  Cungre-Hf, 
being  shocked  at  the  cruel  scene  now  acting  in  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  and 
determined  never  to  become  slaves  to  any  power  upon  earth. 


346  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

We  do  herehy  agree  and  associate  under  all  the  ties  of  religion,  honor, 
and  regard  for  posterity,  that  we  will  adopt  and  endeavor  to  execute  the 
measures  which  the  General  Congress,  now  sitting  at  Philadelphia,  may 
conclude  on  for  preserving  our  constitution,  and  opposing  the  execution  of 
the  several  arbitrary,  illegal  acts  of  the  British  Parliament,  and  that  we 
will  readily  observe  the  direction  of  our  general  committee  for  the  purposes 
aforesaid,  the  preservation  of  peace  and  good  order,  and  security  of  indi- 
viduals and  private  property. 

Signed  by  John  Simpson,  Chairman,  and  92  others. 

"  The  subscribers  professing  our  allegiance  to  the  king,  and  acknowledging 
the  constitutional  executive  power  of  government,  do  solemnly  profess  and 
testify  and  declare,  that  we  do  absolutely  believe  that  neither  the  parliament 
of  Great  Britain,  nor  any  member  or  constituent  branch  thereof,  have  a  right 
to  impose  taxes  upon  these  colonies  to  regulate  the  internal  policy  thereof, 
and  that  all  attempts,  by  fraud  or  force,  to  establish  and  exercise  such  claims 
and  powers  are  violations  of  the  peace  and  security  of  the  people,  and  ought 
to  be  resisted  to  the  utmost,  and  that  the  people  of  this  province,  singly  and 
collectively,  are  bound  by  the  acts  and  resolutions  of  the  continental  and 
provincial  Congresses,  because  in  both  they  are  freely  represented  by  per- 
sons chosen  by  themselves,  and  we  do  solemnly  and  sincerely  promise  and 
engage,  under  the  sanction  of  virtue,  honor,  and  the  sacred  love  of  liberty 
and  our  country,  to  maintain  and  support  all  and  every  the  acts,  resolutions, 
and  regulations  of  the  continental  and  provincial  Congresses  to  the  utmost 
of  our  power  and  abilities.  In  testimony  whereof  we  have  hereto  set  our 
hands,  this  23d  day  of  August,  1775." 

Signed  by  77  persons. 

The  members  from  Pitt  at  Halifax  on  12th  November,  1776,  were  Ben- 
jamin May,  Williak  Robson,  James  Gorham,  George  Evans  and  Edward 
Salter. 

The  county  of  Pitt  was  early  distinguished  for  its  devotion  to  liberty,  and 
its  citizens  were  odious  to  the  minions  of  royalty. 

From  the  council  book  of  Governor  Martin  the  following  is  extracted : — 

"  At  a  council  held  at  Newbern  on  24th  April,  1775,  present,  His  Excel- 
lency, James  Hassell,  Martin  Howard,  Samuel  Strudwick,  and  James  Cor- 
nell— 

"  Ordered,  that  a  new  commission  of  the  peace  be  issued  for  the  county 
of  Pitt,  wherein  the  names  of  John  Simpson,  Robert  Salter,  Robert  La- 
nier, Daniel  Charles  Forbes,  Saxon  Pearce  and  Peter  Reeves,  are  to  be 
omitted." 

Dr.  Robert  Williams,  of  this  county,  was  a  surgeon  of  the  Revolutionary 
Army.     After  this  service  ho  rendered  constant  and  important  civil  services. 

lie  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  at  Ilillsboro',  21st  July,  1778,  to  de- 
liberate upon  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  which  body  rejected  that 
instrument,  and  voted  against  its  ratification  with  a  majority  of  one  hundred. 
He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Convention  at  Raleigh,  4th  June,  1835,  to 
amend  the  State  Constitution  ;  and  a  member  of  either  the  House  of  Com- 
mons or  Senate  from  178G  to  1814. 

He  died  12th  November,  1842,  loved  for  his  virtues  and  respected  for  his 
services. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Pitt  County  from  the 
adoption  of  the  Constitution  to  the  last  session. 

Vears.  Senate.                                        House  of  Commons. 

1777.  Edward  Salter,  "William  Robeson,  John  Williams. 

1778.  Edward  Salter,  AVilliam  Robeson,  .John  Williams. 

1779.  Edward  Salter,  James  Gorham,  John  Williams. 


PITT  COUNTY. 


347 


Years.  Senate. 

1780.  Edward  Salter, 

1781.  Edward  Salter, 

1782.  John  Williams, 

1783.  John  Williams, 

1784.  John  Williams, 

1785.  John  Williams, 

1786.  John  Simpson, 

1787.  John  Williams, 

1788.  William  Blount, 

1789.  William  Blount, 

1790.  William  Blount, 

1791.  John  Move, 

1792.  Stephen  Brooks, 

1793.  Robert  Williams, 

1794.  Robert  Williams, 

1795.  Robert  Williams, 
1790.  Samuel  Simpson, 

1797.  Samuel  Simpson, 

1798.  Frederick  Bryan, 

1799.  Frederick  Bryan, 

1800.  Frederick  Bryan, 
18Q1.  Frederick  Bryan, 

1802.  Robert  Williams, 

1803.  Robert  Williams, 

1804.  Robert  Williams, 

1805.  Robert  Williams, 
1800.  Robert  Williams, 

1807.  William  Moye, 

1808.  Robert  Williams, 

1809.  Benjamin  May, 

1810.  Benjamin  May, 

1811.  Benjamin  May, 

1812.  Benjamin  May, 

1813.  Robert  Williams, 

1814.  Robert  Williams, 

1815.  Hardy  Smith, 

1816.  Luke  Albritton, 

1817.  Luke  Albritton, 

1818.  Luke  Albritton, 

1819.  Luke  Albritton, 

1820.  Robert  Williams, 

1821.  Luke  Albritton, 

1822.  Luke  Albritton, 

1823.  Luke  Albritton, 

1824.  John  Joyner, 

1825.  John  Joyner, 

1826.  John  Joyner, 

1827.  John  Joyner, 

1828.  John  Joyner, 

1829.  Marshall  Dickinson, 

1830.  Marshall  Dickinson, 

1831.  Alfred  Moye, 

1832.  Alfred  Moye, 

1833.  Alfred  Moye, 

1834.  Alfred  Moye, 

1835.  Alfred  Moye, 

1836.  Alfred  Moye, 
1838.  Alfred  Moye, 
1840.  Alfred  Moye, 
1842.  Alfred  Moye, 


House  of  Commons. 

George  Moye,  John  Williams. 
James  Gorham,  George  Evans. 
James  Gorham,  .John  Simpson. 
John  Jordan,  Richard  Moye. 
John  Jordan,  Richard  iMoye. 
Richard  Moye,  .John  .Jordan. 
Reading  Blount,  Robert  Williams. 
Reading  Blount,  Robert  Williams. 
John  Moye,  Shadrach  Allen. 
Jaracs  Amstrong,  Shadrach  Allen. 
John  Moye,  Robert  Williams. 
Robert  Williams,  Richard  Moye. 
Benjamin  Bell,  Samuel  Simpson. 
Wm.  Grimes,  Richard  Moye. 
Benjamin  Bell,  William  Grimes. 
Iloliand  .Johnston,  Frederick  Bryan. 
Frederick  Bryan,  Holland  Johnston. 
Holland  Johnston,  Frederick  Bryan. 
Richard  Evans,  Holland  .Johnston. 
William  Moye,  Holland  Johnston. 
AVilliam  Moye,  Richard  Evans. 
William  Moye,  Wm.  I'astwood. 
William  Moye,  Wm.  Eastwood. 
Wm.  Eastwood,  George  Eason. 
John  Mooring,  Benjamin  May. 
John  Mooring,  Benjamin  May. 
Benjamin  May,  John  Mooring. 
John  Mooring,  Benjamin  May. 
John  Mooring,  Benjamin  May. 
Benjamin  May,  John  Mooring. 
Elias  Carr,  Hardy  Smith. 
Franklin  Gorham,  Hardy  Smith. 
Hardy  Smith,  James  Sheppard. 
Hardy  Smith,  James  Sheppard. 
Hardy  Smith,  James  Sheppard. 
Oliver  Prince,  Luke  Albritton. 
Roderick  Cherry,  Oliver  Prince. 
Roderick  Cherry,  Oliver  Prince. 
Oliver  Prince,  Roderick  Cherry. 
Joel  Patrick,  Marshall  Dickinson. 
Wm.  Clark,  Gideon  Bynum. 

Lanier  Daniel,  John  Joyner. 

John  Cherry,  Lanier  Daniel. 

John  Cherry,  Wilkes  Brooks. 

S.  P.  Allen,  Jno.  C.  Gorham. 

John  C.  Gorham,  Shadrach  P.  Allen. 

Marshall  Dickinson,  Wm.  W.  Andrews. 

John  Cherry,  Marshall  Dickinson. 

Marshall  Dickinson,  Alfred  Moye. 

Alfred  Moye,  William  Clark. 

William  Clark,  William  Clommons. 

Henry  Toole,  Roderick  Cherry. 

Thomas  Jordan,  James  Blow. 

J.  L.  Foreman,  Roderick  Cherry. 

Luke  Albritton,  J.  L.  Foreman. 

J.  L.  Forman,  Macon  Moye. 

Macon  Moye,  John  Spiers. 

J.  L.  Foreman,  John  C.  Gorham. 

J.  L.  Foreman,  Isaac  Joyner. 

J.  L.  Foreman,  Isaac  Joyner. 


348  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

House  of  Commons. 

II.  F.  Harris,!  C.  Perkins. 
Elias  J.  Blount,  H.  F.  Harris, 

Sattorthwait,  Wm.  J.  Blow. 

Marshall  Dickerson,  Wm.  J.  Blow. 


Years. 

Senate. 

1844. 

J.  L.  Foreman,* 

1846. 

B.  F.  Eborn, 

1848. 

B.  F.  Eborn, 

1850. 

William  Eborn, 

CHAPTER   LXIII 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


Randolph  County  was  formed,  in  1779,  from  Guilford  and 
Rowan,  and  named  in  compliment  to  the  Randolph  family  in  Vir- 
ginia, distinguished  for  patriotism  and  talents. 

It  presents  on  the  map,  in  nearly  the  centre  of  the  State,  a 
beautiful  compact  square,  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Guilford 
County,  east  by  Chatham,  south  by  Moore  and  Montgomery,  and 
west  by  Davidson. 

Its  capital  is  Ashboro',  called  in  compliment  to  Governor  Samuel 
Ashe,  and  is  nearly  due  west  from  Raleigh,  seventy-two  miles  distant. 

Its  population,  in  1850,  was  13,795  whites;  397  free  negroes ;  1640  slaves ; 
15,176  representative  population. 

Its  products,  in  1840,  were  295,828  bushels  com ;  47,671  bushels  oats  ; 
78,095  bushels  wheat;  80,709  lbs.  tobacco;  81,533  lbs.  cotton;  17,636  lbs. 
wool. 

In  the  troubles  of  1771,  of  the  Regulation,  this  section  was 
deeply  involved. 

Hekman  Husbands,  who  was  a  leader  in  these  troubles,  resided  in  this 
county,  on  Sandy  Creek.  He  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  raised  a  Quaker, 
and  was  said  to  be  a  relative  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin.  The  documents 
published  under  the  chapter  Alamance,  and  LVIII.  Orange,  in  which  his  book 
is  published,  and  the  account  of  the  battle  (vol.  i.  p.  61),  render  any  allusion 
to  this  matter  here  unnecessary. 

He  represented  this  county  when  a  part  of  Orange,  and  was  a  favorite  with 
the  people  from  his  devotion  to  popular  rights,  opposition  to  extortion,  and 
his  natural  shrewdness  of  character.  He  enjoyed  their  confidence  in  a  great 
degree,  for  when  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly,  and  the  people  had  refused 
to  pay  to  Tyree  Harris,  the  sheriff,  the  unlawful  extortions  by  way  of  taxes, 
he  appeared  at  Newbern  as  a  member  ;  the  Governor  (Tryon)  asked  for  the 
taxes  ;  Husbands  threw  the  amount  down,  stating  "We  pay  to  honest  men, 
not  to  swindlers." 

After  the  battle  of  Alamance  (16th  May,  1771),  Husbands  retreated  to 
Pennsylvania,  and,  althougli  a  reward  was  offered  by  Governor  Tryon  for 
him,  he  escaped,  and  settled  near  Pittsburg.  He  returned  to  North  Carolina 
after  the  Revolution,  and  remained  only  a  short  time. 

From  the  journal  of  the  Congress  of  Halifax,  1776,  Dec.  23d,  I  find  the 
following :  — 

"  Resolved,  That  the  lands  said  to  be  the  property  of  Herman  Husbands, 
*  Died  in  the  Legislature.  f  Fell  in  a  duel  with  Mr.  Yellowly. 


RANDOLPH  COUNTY. 


349 


on  which  there  is  pit-coal,  hearthstone,  &c.,  be  purchased  or  otherwise 
secured  for  the  use  of  the  public. 

"Resolved,  That  if  John  Wilcox  and  William  England  refuse  to  part 
with  the  mortgaged  premises,  it  will  be  necessary  to  make  a  new  agreement 
with  them. 

"Resolved,  If  they  will  neither  sell  nor  lease,  that  they  be  precluded  from 
using  any  ore  or  timber  from  the  vacant  land  of  the  State  adjacent." 

Husbands'  two  sons  settled  on  a  large  cract  of  land  on  Deep  River,  near 
Buffalo  Ford.     His  daughter  married  a  Wright. 

It  is  stated  that  he  was  concerned  in  the  Wliisky  Insurrection,  in  179-t,  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  associated  with  Albert  Gallatin,  Breckenridge,  and 
others,  as  a  committee  of  safety.  For  this  he  was  apprehended  and  carried 
to  Philadelphia.  By  the  influence  of  Rev.  David  Caldwell,  who  happened  at 
the  time  to  be  in  Philadelpliia,  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush,  and  others,  he  was  re- 
leased, and  he  died,  on  his  return  home,  near  Philadelphia. 

Thus  the  career  of  Husbands  terminated.  His  character  has  been  tho 
subject  of  much  investigation  and  difference  of  opinion.  His  neighbors 
speak  of  him  as  a  man  of  strict  integrity,  a  firm  advocate  of  popular  rights, 
and  a  determined  foe  to  oppression,  fraud,  and  extortion. 

Hon.  John  Long  resides  in  this  county.  By  profession  a  farmer.  ITo 
entered  public  life  as  Senator  in  the  General  Assembly  in  1815,  and,  in  182  L 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  in  which  he  served  until  1829. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Randolph  County,  from 
its  formation  to  the  present  date. 


Years.  Senate. 

1780.  John  Collier, 

1781.  John  Collier, 

1782.  John  Collier, 

1783.  Thomas  Dougan, 

1784.  Thomas  Dougan, 

1785.  Edward  Sharpe, 

1786.  Edward  Sharpe, 

1787.  Jesse  Ilendley, 

1788.  Thomas  Dougan, 

1789.  John  Arnold, 

1791.  Zebedee  Wood, 

1792.  Zebedee  Wood, 

1793.  Edmund  Waddell, 

1794.  Edmund  Waddell, 

1795.  Edmund  Waddell, 

1796.  Edmund  Waddell, 

1797.  Edmund  Waddell, 

1798.  Edmund  Waddell, 

1799.  Alexander  Gray, 

1800.  Henry  Branson, 

1801.  Henry  Branson, 

1802.  Henry  Branson, 

1803.  Henry  Branson, 

1804.  Alexander  Gray, 

1805.  Alexander  Gray, 

1806.  Alexander  Gray, 

1807.  Alexander  Gray, 

1808.  Colin  Steed, 

1809.  Michael  Harvey, 

1810.  Michael  Harvey, 

1811.  Lewis  Spiuks, 

1812.  Alexander  Gray, 


House  of  Commons. 
Andrew  Balfour,  Jeduthan  Harper. 
J.  Harper,  Absalom  Tatom. 
Edward  Williams,  A.  Tatom. 
Robert  McLean,  J.  Harper. 
James  Rollins,  Aaron  Hill. 
Aaron  Hill,  Joseph  Robbing. 
William  lioli,  Zebedee  Wood. 
John  Stanfield,  Edmund  Waddell. 
Zebedee  Wood,  AViUiam  Bell. 
Zebedee  Wood,  Aaron  Hill. 
William  Bell,  Reuben  Wood. 
William  Bailey,  Henry  Branson. 
William  Bailey,  Henry  Branson. 
Henry  Branson,  William  Bailey. 
William  Bailey,  Henry  Branson. 
William  Bailey,  Henry  Branson. 
William  Bailey,  Henry  Branson. 
William  Bailey,  JMichacl  Harvey. 
William  Bailey,  Simon  Green. 
William  Bailey,  Michael  Harvey. 
INIichael  Harvey,  .lohn  Brower. 
William  Bailey,  Michael  Harvey. 
Jolin  Brower,  Michael  Harvey. 
Whitlock  Arnold,  Colin  Sneeil. 
John  Brower,  Michael  Harvey. 
Colin  Steed,  AVhitlock  Arnold. 
Whitlock  Arnold,  Scth  Wade. 
AVliitlock  Arnold  Seth  Wade. 
Jolin  Brower,  Solo.  K.  Gooilman. 
Solo.  K.  Goodman,  .losiah  Lyndon. 
John  Long,  .Josiah  Lyndon. 
John  Long,  Josiah  Lyndon. 


350 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

1813.  Whitlock  Arnold, 

1814.  John  Long,  Jr. 

1815.  John  Long,  Jr. 

1816.  Seth  Wade, 

1817.  Seth  Wade, 

1818.  Charles  Steed, 

1819.  Seth  Wade, 

1820.  William  Hogan, 

1821.  Seth  Wade, 

1822.  Seth  AVade, 

1823.  Alexander  Gray, 

1824.  William  Hogan, 

1825.  William  Hogan, 

1826.  Alexander  Gray, 

1827.  Alexander  Gray, 

1828.  Alexander  Gray, 

1829.  Abraham  Brower, 

1830.  Abraham  Brower, 

1831.  Benjamin  Elliott, 

1832.  Hugh  Moffitt, 

1833.  Henry  B.  Elliott, 

1834.  Alfred  Staley, 

1835.  Alfred  Staley, 

1836.  Jonathan  Redding, 
1838.  Jonathan  Redding, 
1840.  Jonathan  Worth, 
1842.  Henry  B.  Elliott, 
1844.  Henry  B.  Elliott, 
1846,  Alexander  Hogan, 
1848.  Dr.  Wm.  B.  Lane, 
1850.  Dr.  Wm.  B,  Lane, 


House  of  Commons. 

William  Hogan,  Seth  Wade. 
Josiah  Lyndon,  John  Lane,  Jr. 
Solo.  K.  Goodman,  Joshua  Craven. 
Joshua  Craven,  Shubal  Gardner. 
Joshua  Craven,  West  Armistead. 
Shubal  Gardner,  West  Armistead. 
Shubal  Gardner,  J.  Brower. 
Charles  Steed,  Joshua  Craven. 
Abraham  Brower,  Frederick  Lane. 
A,  Brower,  Benjamin  Marmon, 
A,  Browei-,  George  Hoover. 
A.  Brower,  George  Hoover. 
George  Hoover,  Abraham  Brower. 
Abraham  Brower,  Robert  Walker. 
Hugh  Walker,  John  B.  Troy. 
Thomas  Hancock,  Hugh  Walker. 
Alexander  Cunningham,  A.  Brower. 
Jonathan  AV^rth,  A.  Brower, 
Jona.  Worth,  Alex.  Cunningham. 
A.  Cunningham,  A.  Brower. 
A.  Brower,  Benjainin  Hawkins. 
Zebedee  Rush,  Benjamin  Hawkins. 
William  B.  Lane,  Zebedee  Rush. 
Michael  Cox,  William  B.  Lane. 
Zebedee  Rush,  Wm.  B.  Lane. 
William  B.  Lane,  Alfred  Brower. 
Alfred  Brower,  Julian  E.  Leach. 
Alfred  Brower,  Zebedee  Rush. 
A.  Brower,  Isaac  White. 
Allen  Seifoy5''J^aac  White. 
Jesse  Thornberg,  J.  M.  A.  Drake. 


CHAPTER    LXIV. 


RICHMOND  COUNTY. 


Richmond  County  was  formed  in  1779  from  Anson.  It  is  called 
in  honor  of  the  Duke  of  Richmond,  who  was  an  able  advocate  of 
'the  cause  of  America  in  the  House  of  Lords. 

It  is  located  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Montgomery  County,  east  by  Moore,  Cumberland, 
and  Robeson,  south  by  the  South  Carolina  line,  and  west  by  the 
Pee  Dee  River,  which  separates  it  from  Anson  County. 

Its  capital  is  Rockingham,  distant  one  hundred  and  tliirty-five 
miles  south-west  of  Raleigh. 

Population,  1850,  4,890  whites ;  224  free  negroes ;  4,704  slaves  ;  7,936 
representative  population. 

Products,  1840,  295,818^  bushels  corn  ;  81,533  lbs.  cotton  ;  80,709  lbs.  to- 
bacco ;  17,636  lbs.  wool;  78,095  bushels  wheat;  47,071  bushels  oats;  1,952 
bushels  rye. 


RICHMOND  COUNTY. 


351 


Hon.  Duncan  McFarland  represented  this  district  in  Cong:ress  from  1805 
to  1807,  and  the  County  of  Richmond  in  the  Senate  in  1807-8  and  9. 

Hon.  Alfred  Dockery  was  born  the  11th  December,  1797.  He  is  by  pro- 
fession a  planter.  He  entered  public  life  as  member  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons in  1822,  and  was  elected  Senator  from  this  County  in  1836,  and  served 
continuously  until  1844. 

In  1845  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Conc;ress,  and  served  one  Congress, 
when  he  declined.  He  is  again  elected  (1851)  in  this  district  to  the  next 
(32d)  Congress. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Richmond  County,  from 
its  formation  to  the  last  session. 


Years.  Senate. 

17"80.  Charles  Medlock, 

1781.  Charles  Medlock, 

1782.  Charles  Medlock^ 

1783.  Charles  Medlock, 

1784.  Charles  Medlock, 

1785.  Charles  Medlock, 

1786.  Charles  Medlock, 

1787.  William  Crawford, 

1788.  Robert  Webb, 

1789.  Robert  Webb, 

1790.  Robert  Webb, 

1791.  Edward  Williams, 

1792.  James  Terry, 

1793.  Duncan  McFarland, 

1794.  William  Wall, 

1795.  William  Wall, 

1796.  Robert  Webb, 

1797.  Robert  AVebb, 

1798.  Robert  Webb, 

1800.  Duncan  McFarland, 

1801.  Peter  H.Cole, 

1802.  James  Stewart, 

1803.  John  Wall,  Jr., 

1804.  James  Stewart, 

1805.  Thomas  Blewitt, 

1806.  Moses  Knight, 

1807.  Duncan  McFarland, 

1808.  Duncan  McFarland, 

1809.  Duncan  McFarland, 

1810.  Alex.  McMillan, 

1811.  Alex.  McMillan, 

1812.  Alex.  McMillan, 

1813.  James  Stewart, 

1814.  James  Stewart, 

1815.  James  Stewart, 

1816.  Thomas  Steele, 

1817.  Thomas  Steele, 

1818.  AVm.  McLeod, 

1819.  Thomas  Steele, 

1820.  Wm.  McLeod, 

1821.  William  Thomas, 

1822.  Stephen  A\^all, 

1823.  Stephen  Wall, 

1824.  Wm.  L.  Cole, 

1825.  Francis  T.  Leak, 

1826.  Francis  T.  Leak, 


House  of  Commons. 
Henry  William  Harrington,  Robt.  Webb, 
Edward  Williams,  Robt.  AVebb. 
Robert  AVebb,  Thomas  Crawford. 
John  Childs,  Robt.  AVebb. 
Robt.  AVebb,  Charles  Robertson. 
Robert  AVebb,  Benjamin  Covington. 
Robert  AVebb,  Benjamin  Covington. 
AVm.  Pickett,  Robert  AVebb. 
Miles  King,  Edward  AVilliams, 
AVm.  Robeson,  Thomas  Blewitt. 
AVm.  Robeson,  Thos.  Blewitt. 
Thomas  Blewitt,  John  McAllister. 
James  Coleman,  Duncan  McFarland. 
Malcolm  Smith,  AA'"m.  Robinson. 
Malcolm  Smith,  AVilliam  Robinson. 
Malcolm  Smith,  Joseph  Hines. 
James  Coleman,  James  Sandford. 
AVilliam  Robinson,  -James  T.  Sandford, 
Lauchlin  McKenan,  Jas.  Stewart. 
John  Speed,  Stephen  Cole. 
John  Clarke,  Moses  Knight. 
John  Clarke,  Moses  Knight. 

Moses  Knight,  John  Clarke. 

Moses  Knight,  Robert  AVebb. 
John  Clarke,  .John  McFarland. 
John  Clarke,  Robert  AVebb. 

James  Speed,  John  Smith,  Jr. 
John  Smith,  Jas.  A.  Harrington, 

John  Smith,  Thoroughgood  Pate, 

AVilliam  Thomas,  Neill  Smith. 

John  Buie,  Neill  Smith. 

Allen  Stewart,  AVm.  P.  Leake, 

Robert  Powell,  AVm.  McLeod. 

Edward  AVilliams,  AVm.  Thomas. 

Thomas  Steele,  AVm.  McLeod. 

Henry  AV.  Harrington,  AVm.  Thomas. 

II.  W.  Harrington,  Neill  McNair. 

J.  L.  Vaughan,  S.  McAllister,  Jr. 

J.  L.  Vaughan,  AV.  Thomas. 

Robt.  Powell,  AVm.  Thomas. 

J.  L.  A'aughan,  AV.  H.  Leake. 

Duncan  McLaurin,  A.  Dockery. 

John  Cole,  Tryan  McFarland. 

Tryan  McFarland,  S.  Meredith, 

Henry  Dockery,  Arch.  McNair. 

Arch.  McNair,  Henry  Dockery. 


352 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

1S27.  Erasmus  Love, 

1828.  Try  an  McFarland, 

1829.  Tryan  McFarland, 

1830.  Tryan  McFarland, 

1831.  Tryan  McFarland, 

1832.  Walter  F.  Leake, 

1833.  Alexander  Martin, 

1834.  John  Fairley, 

1835.  Alex.  Martin, 

1836.  Alfred  Dockery, 
1838.  Alfred  Dockery, 
1840.  Alfred  Dockery, 
1842.  Alfred  Dockery, 
1844.  Alfred  Dockery, 
1846.  John  Gilchrist, 
1848.  II.  AV.  Covington, 
1850.  J.  Mallory, 


House  of  Commons. 

Georo;e  Thomas,  Arch.  McNair. 
Neill  Nicholson,  Nathan  Gibson. 
Neill  Nicholson,  James  Murphey. 
James  Murphey,  Isham  A.  Dumas. 
Walter  F.  Leake,  Duncan  McLaurin. 
Isaac  Dockery,  Duncan  McLaurin. 
James  Williams,  Duncan  Malloy. 
James  Williams,  Isaac  Dockery. 
Geo.  Thomas,  John  R.  Buie. 
John  McAllister,  Geo.  Thomas. 
Duncan  McLaurin,  George  Thomas. 
Duncan  McLaurin,  -John  W.  Covington. 
Alexander  Martin,  Isaac  Dockery. 
Neil  McNair. 
Walter  Leake  Steele. 
Walter  Leake  Steele. 
Walter  Leake  Steele. 


CHAPTER   LXV. 


ROBESON  COUNTY. 


Robeson  County  was  formed  in  1786,  from  Bladen  County,  and 
called  in  compliment  of  Colonel  Robeson,  who  distinguished  him- 
self in  the  battle  of  Elizabethtown,  in  Bladen  County,  (fought  in 
July,  1781,)  for  the  particulars  of  which  reference  is  made  to 
Chapter  VII.,  on  Bladen  County. 

It  is  situated  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Cumberland,  east  by  Bladen  and  Columbus,  south  by 
the  South  Carolina  line,  and  west  by  Richmond  County. 

Its  capital  is  Lumberton,  on  Lumber  River,  and  is  ninety-one 
miles  south-west  of  Raleigh. 

At  this  place  died,  in  1813,  the  Hon.  Edward  Harris,  one  of  the  Judges  of 
the  Superior  Courts  of  Law,  and  is  buried  here. 

Its  population  (1850)  is  7,290  whites;  1,171  free  negroes;  4,365  slaves; 
11,080  representative  population. 

Its  products  (1840)  are  248,195  bushels  of  corn  ;  547,596  pounds  of  cotton  ; 
16,346  pounds  of  wool ;  5,541  barrels  of  turpentine  ;  2,646  bushels  of  wheat  ; 
1,579  bushels  of  oats. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Robeson  County,  from 
its  formation  to  1851. 

House  of  Commons. 

Elias  Barnes,  Neill  Bruwn, 
Elias  Barnes,  Neill  Brown. 
Elias  Barnes,  Neill  Brown. 
Elias  Barnes,  Jacob  Alford. 
Pialph  Rogan,  .John  Gilchrist. 
Jacob  Alford,  John  Gilchrist. 


Years. 

Senate. 

1787. 

John  Willis, 

1788. 

John  Willis, 

1789. 

John  Willis, 

1791. 

John  Willis, 

1792. 

Elias  Barnes, 

1793. 

Elias  Barnes, 

ROBESON  COUNTY. 


353 


Years.  Senate. 

1794.  Elias  Barnes, 

1795.  Elias  Barnes, 

1796.  John  Gilchrist, 

1797.  John  Gilchrist, 

1799.  Elias  Barnes, 

1800.  Elias  Barnes, 

1801.  Elias  Barnes, 

1802.  Elias  Barnes, 

1803.  Elias  Barnes, 

1804.  Benjamin  Lee, 

1805.  Benjamin  Lee, 

1806.  Benjamin  Lee, 

1807.  Benjamin  Lee, 

1808.  Benjamin  Lee, 

1809.  Benjamin  Lee, 

1810.  Benjamin  Lee, 

1811.  Alfred  Rowland, 

1812.  Alfred  Rowland, 

1813.  Alfred  Rowland, 

1814.  Alfred  Rowland, 

1815.  Kenneth  Black, 

1816.  Kenneth  Black, 

1817.  William  Brown, 

1818.  William  Brown, 

1819.  William  Sterling, 

1820.  Kenneth  Black, 

1821.  Kenneth  Black, 

1822.  Isaac  Sullivan, 

1823.  M.  D.  Murphey, 

1824.  Isaac  Sullivan, 

1825.  John  Gilchrist, 

1826.  John  Gilchrist, 

1827.  Arch'd  McEachin, 

1828.  Arch'd  McEachin, 

1829.  Neill  B.Johnson, 

1830.  Shadrach  Howell, 

1831.  Shadrach  Howell, 

1832.  Shadrach  Howell, 

1833.  Shadrach  Howell, 

1834.  Shadrach  Howell, 

1835.  Malcolm  Patterson, 

1836.  Alfred  Dockery, 
1838.  Alfred  Dockery, 
1840.  Alfred  Dockery, 
1842.  Alfred  Dockery, 
1844.  Alfred  Dockery, 
1846.  John  Gilchrist, 
1848.  II.  W.  Covington, 
1850.  J.  M  alloy. 


Hou.«e  of  Common?. 
James  McQueen,  John  Willis. 
John  Willis,  Joseph  Wade. 
Joseph  Wood,  James  McQueen. 
John  Regan,  Joseph  Wood. 
John  Regan,  Neill  Brown. 
Robert  Ilaills,  Hugh  Brown. 
Hugh  Brown,  James  McQueen. 
Benjamin  Lee,  James  McQueen. 
Benjamin  Lee,  James  McQueen. 
Zachariah  Jordan,  Hugh  Brown.  _ 
Zachariah  Jordan,  Duncan  McXeill. 
Zachariah  Jordan,  Duncan  McNeill. 
Hugh  Brown,  Alexander  Rowland. 
Alexander  Rowland,  Hugh  Brown. 
Hugh  Brown,  Wm.  Sterling. 
Hugh  Brown,  John  Gilchrist. 
John  Gilchrist,  Duncan  McAlpin. 
Duncan  McAlpin,  Isaac  Sullivan. 
Archibald  S.  Brown,  Kenneth  Black. 
Murdock  McLean,  Wm.  Sterling. 
Archibald  S.  Brown,  Murdock  McLean. 
John  Gilchrist,  AVm.  Sterling. 
John  Gilchrist,  Francis  L.  Ilaynes. 
Francis  L.  Ilaynes,  Kenneth  Black. 
John  Guinn,  Isaac  Sullivan. 
Archibald  McEachin,  AVillis  Pope. 
Jacob  Alford,  Archibald  McEachin. 
John  Gilchrist,  Jacob  Alford. 
Jacob  Alford,  Shad.  Howell. 
Warren  Alford,  Shad.  Howell. 
Shadrach  Howell,  AVarren  Alford. 
Shadrach  Howell,  Warren  Alford, 
R.  C.  Rhodes,  Malcolm  Purcell. 
Warren  Alford,  Malcolm  Purcell. 
John  Purcell,  John  Brown. 
John  Purcell,  John  Brown. 
Wm.  L.  Miller,  Alexander  Watson. 
Alexander  Watson,  Benjamin  Lee. 
Alexander  Watson,  Giles  S.  McLean. 
Benjamin  Lee,  Giles  S.  McLean. 
Oliver  K.  Tuton,  Alexander  Watson. 
Alexander  Watson,  0.  K.  Tuton. 
0.  K.  Tuton,  James  Blount. 
Daniel  A.  Graham,  Neill  Regan. 
Neill  Regan,.  Alexander  Watson. 
Neill  Rogani  John  McNeill. 
Neill  Regan,  John  McNeill. 
Neill  Regan,  John  McNeill. 
Wm.  McNeil,  Neal  McNeill. 


354  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER    LXVI, 


ROCKINGHAM  COUNTY. 


Rockingham  County  was  formed,  in  1785,  from  Guilford  County, 
and  derives  its  name  from  Charles  Watson  Wentworth,  Marquis  of 
Rockingham,  who  was  a  distinguished  friend  of  America  in  the 
English  Parliament,  and  acted  in  concert  with  William  Pitt,  Earl 
of  Chatham,  in  opposition  to  Lord  North.  In  1782  he  was  the 
Premier  of  England.* 

It  is  located  in  the  north-western  part  of  the  State ;  and  bounded 
on  the  north  by  the  Virginia  line,  east  by  Caswell,  south  by  Guil- 
ford, and  west  by  Stokes. 

Its  capital  is  Wentworth,  in  honor  of  the  family  name  of  the 
House  of  Rockingham,  and  is  distant  one  hundred  and  sixteen  miles 
north-west  of  Raleigh. 

Its  population  in  1850,  was  8,747  whites;  419  free  negroes;  5,329  slaves; 
12,363  representative  population. 

Its  products  in  1850,  was  1,777,205  pounds  of  tobacco;  431,085  bushels  of 
corn  ;  149,402  bushels  of  oats  ;  61,015  bushels  of  wheat ;  4,805  bushels  of  rye ; 
23,947  pounds  of  cotton ;  8,355  pounds  of  wool ;  20  tons  of  iron. 

Hon.  Thomas  Settle,  at  present  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Superior  Courts, 
was  born  in  this  county  about  the  year  1791. 

He  entered  public  life  in  1816,  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and 
was  elected  in  1817  and  1819,  a  member  of  Congress  from  this  District,  when 
he  declined  a  re-election. 

He  appeared  again  in  public  life  in  1826,  as  a  member  of  the  House  of 
Commons,  and  was  re-elected  in  1827  and  1828.  This  last  year  he  was  the 
Speaker  of  the  House,  and  by  voting  with  the  minority  saved  the  Banks  from 
the  prosecution  threatened  by  Robert  Potter.  In  1832,  he  was  elected  a  Judge 
of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  and  Equity,  which  elevated  position  he  now 
holds  with  great  satisfaction  to  the  country  and  dignity  to  himself. 

lie  married  a  sister  of  Hon.  Calvin  Graves,  by  whom  he  has  been  blest  with 
several  children,  one  of  whom  is  the  wife  of  Governor  Reid,  and  a  son  who 
is  his  private  Secretary. 

David  Settle  Reid,  the  present  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  is  a  native  of 
Rockingham,  lie  was  born  April  19th,  1813.  He  studied  law  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  practice  in  1843.  His  first  appearance  in  public  was  in  1835,  as 
Senator  from  Rockingham  ;  and  he  was  re-elected,  continuously,  until  1840. 

In  1843  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  served  until  1847,  with 
great  acceptability  to  his  constituents. 

In  1848,  without  his  concurrence  or  knowledge,  he  was  nominated  for 
Governor,  and  was  defeated  by  a  small  majority.   In  1850,  when  he  had  posi- 

*  Eacyclopaedia  Americana,  vol.  xi.  p.  .55. 


ROCKINGHAM  COUNTY. 


355 


tively,  by  a  letter  published,  declined  the  nomination,  he  was  again  nominated 
by  the  Democratic  Convention  and  was  elected,  and  is  now  the  Governor  of 
the  State  ;  the  first  Democratic  Governor  ever  elected  by  the  people  in  Xortli 
Carolina. 

The  distinguishing  act  that  has  marked  Governor  Reid's  career,  has  been 
his  successful  advocacy  of  the  cause  of  free  suffrage,  which  he  successfully 
vindicated,  and  which  has  eventually  triumphed  over  the  most  powerful 
opposition. 

Daxiel  "W.  Courts  represented  this  county  in  1846,  '48,  in  the  Commons, 
and  in  1850  in  Senate ;  for  his  biography  see  Wake,  Chapter  LXV. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Rockingham  County, 
from  its  formation  to  the  last  session. 


Years.  Senate. 

1786.  James  Galloway, 

1787.  James  Galloway, 

1788.  James  Galloway, 

1789.  James  Galloway, 

1790.  William  Bethell, 

1791.  Charles  Galloway, 
.1792.     Robert  Williams, 

1793.  Robert  Williams, 

1794.  Robert  Williams, 

1795.  Robert  Williams, 

1796.  Thomas  Henderson, 

1797.  Abraham  Phillips, 
1798. 
1799. 

1800.  Henry  Scales, 

1801.  Abraham  Phillips, 

1802.  Abraham  Phillips, 

1803.  Abraham  Phillips, 

1804.  Alexander  Martin, 

1805.  Alexander  Martin, 

1806.  Nathl.  Scales, 

1807.  Nathl.  Scales, 

1808.  Nathl.  Scales, 

1809.  Nathl.  Scales, 

1810.  Nathl.  Scales, 

1811.  Nathl.  Scales, 

1812.  Abraham  Phillips, 

1813.  Abraham  Phillips, 

1814.  Abraham  Phillips, 

1815.  Wm.  Bethell, 
181G.     Wm.  Douglas, 

1817.  Wm.  Bethell, 

1818.  Wm.  Bethell, 

1819.  Wm.  Bethell, 

1820.  Wm.  Bethell, 

1821.  Nathaniel  Scales, 

1822.  Thos.  Blackwell, 

1823.  Nathl.  Scales, 

1824.  Thomas  Blackwell, 

1825.  Henry  Baughn, 

1826.  Tlionias  Blackwell, 

1827.  Thomas  Blackwell, 

1828.  Edwd.  T.  Broaduax, 

1829.  Robert  Martin, 

1830.  Robert  Martin, 

1831.  Robert  Martin, 


House  of  Commons. 

AVilliam  Bethell,  Peter  Perkins. 
William_  Bethell,  Peter  Perkins. 
AVilliam  Bethell,  Abram  Phillips. 
AVm.  Bethell,  Abram  Phillips. 
Abram  Phillips,  James  Taylor. 
Henry  Scales,  John  Leak. 
Thomas  Henderson,  James -Taylor. 
Henry  Scales,  George  Peay. 
Thomas  Henderson,  George  Peay. 
George  Peay,  Alexander  Joyce. 
Alexander  Joyce,  Henry  Scales. 
John  Peay,  Henry  Scales. 


Drury  Smith,  Joshua  Smith. 
Theo.  Lacey,  Nathl.  Williams. 
Samuel  Hill,  Nathaniel  Williams. 
Nathl.  Scales,  Alexander  Sneed. 
Alexander  Sneed,  Joseph  (Jentry. 
Alex.  Sneed,  Sampson  Lanier. 
Alex.  Sneed,  Mark  Harden. 
Mark  Harden,  Sampson  Lanier. 
Thos.  Wortham,  Mark  Harden. 
Mark  Harden,  Hugh  C.  Mills. 
William  Douglas,  Jos.  S.  Gentry. 
William  Douglas,  Jos.  S.  Gentry. 
Samuel  Hill,  John  Odeneal. 
Samuel  Hill,  Wm.  Douglas. 
Wm.  Douglas,  Thomas  Blackwell. 
Wm.  Douglas,  Thomas  Blackwell. 
Thos.  Settle,  Thomas  Blackwell. 
Thomas  Hill,  Nathaniel  Scales. 
Richd.  W.  Micheaux,  Nathl.  Scales,  Jr. 
H.  Baughn,  W.  Donncll. 
Thomas  Blackwell,  AV.  Donnell. 
John  ^L  Mooroheail,  James  ^Miller. 
Robert  Martin,  E.  T.  Broadnax. 
E.  T.  Broadnax,  Robert  Martin. 
AVm.  Donnell,  Robt.  Martin. 
Robert  Martin,  James  Barnctt. 
James  Barnctt,  Tlmmas  Settle. 
James  Barnett,  Thomas  Settle. 
Thomas  Settle,  Wm.  Bethell. 
Wilson  S.  Hill.  Wm.  Bethell. 
Philip  Irion,  William  Dunnoll. 
Wilson  S.  Hill,  Benjamin  Settle. 


356 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

1832.  Robert  Martin, 

1833.  Robert  Martin, 

1834.  Robert  Martin, 

1835.  David  S.  Reid, 

1836.  David  S.  Reid, 
1838.  David  S.  Reid, 
1840.  David  S.  Reid, 
1812.  Geo.  D.  Boyd, 
1844.  George  D.  Boyd, 
1846.  George  D.  Boyd, 
1848.  Wm.  D.  Bethell, 
1850.  Daniel  W.  Courts, 


House  of  Commons. 
Benjamin  Settle,  Philip  Irion. 
Benjamin  Settle,  Philip  Irion. 
Philip  Irion,  Blake  W.  Brasswell. 
Philip  Irion,  Blake  W.  Brasswell. 
Philip  Irion,  Blake  W.  Brasswell. 
R.  P.  Cardwell,  B.  W.  Brasswell. 
R.  P.  Cardwell,  Geo.  D.  Boyd. 
R.  P.  Cardwell,  Peter  Scales. 
Peter  Scales,  R.  P.  Williamson. 
Danl.  W.  Courts,  Joseph  Neal. 
Danl.  W,  Courts,  T.  W.  Keen. 
Thomas  Ruffin,  Jr.,  Horatio  Kallam. 


CHAPTER     LXVII. 


ROWAN  COUNTY. 


Date  of  formation — Origin  of  name — Situation  and  boundaries — Population 
and  products — By  whom  settled — Colonial  history — Regulation  troubles — 
Governor  Tryon  in  Salisbury  (1768) — General  Waddell  driven  back  with 
bis  troops  (1771),  by  the  people — Committee  of  Safety  for  Rowan — Their 
Journal  from  1774  to  1776 — The  seizure  and  abduction  of  Boothe  and 
Dunn,  two  Tory  lawyers — Their  petition  to  be  restored — Affair  at  Tor- 
rences',  now  Iredell — Character  of  the  distinguished  citizens,  Griffith 
Rutherford,  John  Steele,  Jesse. A.  Pearson,  Archibald  Henderson,  Charles 
Fisher,  Richmond  M.  Pearson,  David  F.  Caldwell,  John  W.  Ellis,  Nathaniel 
Boyden,  H.  C.  Jones,  and  others,  and  the  Members  of  the  General  Assembly. 

There  is  no  county  in  the  State  whose  early  history  and  whose 
distinguished  sons,  afford-  so  fair  and  ample"^ subjects  of  history 
as  Rowan.  This  material  of  itself,  amplified  as  it  deserves,  would 
fill  a  volume.  Is  it  an  idle  hope  that  some  son  of  hers  will  under- 
take this  pious  and  patriotic  duty  ?  It  is  due  to  the  memory 
of  the  past ;  it  is  worthy  of  the  emulation  and  imitation  of  the 
future. 

Rowan  County  was  formed  in  1753  from  Anson  County.  Until 
Surry  (in  1770)  and  Burke  (in  1777)  were  taken  off,  this  county 
comprehended  most  of  the  western  part  of  the  State  of  North 
Carolina  and  Tennessee.  The  history  of  Rowan,  then,  is  the  his- 
tory of  Western  Carolina. 

Rowan  is  situated  in  the  western  part  of  the  State ;  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Davie  County,  one  of  her  daughters  ;  east  by  the 
Yadkin  River,  which  separates  her  from  Davidson  (another 
daughter);  south  by, Stanly,  and  Cabarrus;  and  west  by  Iredell, 
another  daughter. 

Like  a  venerable  mother,  she  sits  with  her  childi-en  comfortably 
settled  around  her. 


c  ROWAN  COUNTY.  357 

Salisbury,  her  capital,  is  nearly  west  from  Raleigh  one  liundred 
and  eighteen  miles.  It  derives  its  name  from  a  town  in  England 
about  seventy  miles  west  from  London.  It  is  a  word  of  Saxon 
origin,  meaning  a  dry  toivn.'^' 

This  name  during  the  past  summer  (1851)  was  most  appropriate. 

Its  population  (1850)  9,901  whites;  115  free  negroes;  3,854 slaves;  12,328 
representative  population. 

Rowan  was  early  settled  (about  1720),  by  the  Protestants  from 
Moravia,  fleeing  from  the  persecutions  of  Ferdinand  the  Second ;  and 
by  the  Scotch,  who,  after  the  unsuccessful  attempts  of  Charles  Ed- 
ward, grandson  of  James  the  Second,  to  ascend  the  English  throne, 
and  whose  fortunes  were  destroyed  on  the  fatal  field  of  Culloden, 
(16th  April,  1746),  had  fled  to  this  country ;  and  by  the  Irish,  who 
after  the  rebellion  of  the  Earls  of  Tyrone  and  Tyrconnell,  in  the 
times  of  James  the  First,  were  forced  to  leave  their  country. 
These,  or  their  ancestors,  previously  had  come  from  Scotland,  and 
hence  the  term  of  Scotch  Irish. 

I  have  in  my  possession  a  petition  from  Rowan  County  to 
Governor  Dobbs  (in  1754),  which  states  that  "  the  inhabitants  of 
Howan  were  composed  of  almost  all  the  nations  of  Europe.'' 

The  prudence  of  the  German,  the  sagacity  of  the  Scotch,  and 
fiery  ardor  of  the  Irish,  here  united ;  and  Avere  fit  materials  to 
form  an  industrious,  thrifty,  and  gallant  nation. 

"  Tantse  molis  erat  condcre  gentium." 

In  the  beautiful  description  of  the  ablest  historian  of  his  age, 

"  Here  was  a  colony  of  men  from  civilized  life,  scattered  among  forests, 
hermits  with  wives  and  children,  resting  upon  the  bosom  of  nature,  in  per- 
fect harmony  with  the  wilderness  of  their  gentle  clime. 

"  Careless  of  religious  sects,  or  unmolested  by  oppressive  laws,  the  early 
settlers  enjoyed  liberty  of  conscience  and  personal  independence.  Free- 
dom of  the  forest  and  of  the  river.  The  children  of  nature  listened  to  the 
inspirations  of  nature.  They  desired  no  greater  happiness  than  they  en- 
joyed.    North  Carolina  was  settled  by  the  freest  of  the  free."  f 

Such  a  people  were  truly  happy,  until  the  wily  serpent  of  ty- 
ranny entered  their  paradise. 

Fleeino-  from  religious  persecutions  and  powers,  in  the  full  en- 
joyment of  unrestrained  liberty,  such  a  people  Avere  little  fitted  to 
be  the  passive  subjects  of  either  priestly  or  kingly  power.  Hence^ 
their  early  history  is  rife  with  incidents  of  quick  perception  of 
wrong,    active   resistance,   and    steady    and    sturdy   advocacy    of 

liberty.  . 

In  the  struggles  of  the  Regulators  against  thc^extortions_ot 
Governor  Tryon  and  the  crown  officers  in  1769,  1770,  and  Idl, 
the  spirit  of  Rowan  was  manifested. 

In  March,  1770,  Maurice  Moore,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  colony,  at- 
tended Salisbury  to  hold  the  Superior   Court.      He  reported  to  Governor 

•  See  Bailey's  Dictionary, 
j  Bancroft,  ii.  151. 


358  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Tryon  at  Newljern,  that  "  from  the  opposition  of  the  people  to  the  taxes,  no 
process  of  the  hiw  could  be  executed  among  them."  Doubtless  Judge  Moore 
sympathized  with  these  people,  for  soon  after  he  became  the  sturdy  opponent 
of  the  Governor,  and  was  active  as  the  friend  of  liberty,  and  died  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  State.* 

Governor  Tryon  repaired  in  person  to  Salisbury.  In  his  ori- 
ginal journal,  published  now  for  the  first  time,  procured  from  the 
archives  of  the  Eno;lish  government  (see  Alamance),  we  can  see 
his  actions,  and  admire  the  spirit  of  a  Knox  (maternal  ancestor 
of  James  Knox  Polk),  who  refused  to  join  him  with  his  troops. 

Violent  as  the  acts  of  the  Regulators  were,  the  subsequent  op- 
pressive conduct  of  the  crown  officers  justified  their  conduct. 

The  clerk  of  Rowan  County  (Thomas  Frohawk)  was  allowed  to 
charge  fifteen  dollars  for  a  marriage  license.  I  have  one  of  these 
ancient  documents  in  my  hands.  It  is  signed  by  the  Governor, 
with  the  great  seal  of  State,  and  countersigned  by  the  Clerk  of  the 
Superior  Court.  What  can  we  think  in  this  free  age,  "  in  the  open 
light  of  the  nineteenth  century,"  of  such  official  conduct,  when 
a  royal  governor  condescends  to  use  such  means  to  swell  his  reve- 
nues ;  and 


wrins 


From  the  hard  hands  of  peasants,  their  vile  trash 
By  any  indirection."! 

The  efi'ect  of  this  conduct  was,  says  a  late  interesting  and  ac- 
curate writer  on  this  age,t  "  that  some  of  the  inhabitants  on  the 
head  waters  of  the  Yadkin  took  a  short  cut." 

This  can  be  no  reproach,  since  the  institution  of  marriage  is  of 
God,  not  of  man.  In  Pennsvlvania,  in  this  enliorhtened  age,  no 
license  of  law  is  necessary  to  celebrate  marriage. 

The  legal  fee  for  recording  a  deed  was  one  dollar.  The  high 
price  of  the  court  fees  shut  the  door  of  the  court  house  against 
the  poor  man. 

The  indignation  of  the  people  of  Rowan  was  roused.  On  the  7th  March, 
1771,  a  public  meeting  was  held  at  Salisbury,  and  a  committee  consisting  of 
James  Hunter,  John  Inyard,  William  Wellborn,  Thomas  Flake,  John 
CuRRv,  .James  Wilson,  Samuel  Wagner,  David  Gillespie,  James  Graham, 
IIenrv  Wade,  Peter  Julian,  Jeremiah  Fields,  John  Yicknet,  Samuel  Jones, 
and  .Joshua  Zagur,  who,  armed  with  the  authority  of  the  people,  met  the  clerk, 
iheriiFs,  and  other  officers  of  the  crown,  and  compelled  them  to  disgorge  their 
ill-gotten  extortions. 

By  a  writing  signed  by  these  officers,  they  agreed  to  settle  and  pay  over  all 
moneys,  over  and  above  their  lawful  fees.^ 

This  was  "  indemnity  for  the  past."  "The  security  for  the  future"  was, 
that  "  when  any  doubt  should  arise  as  to  fees,  they  should  not  be  paid  to  the 
officers,  but  to  such  officers  as  loere  appointed  by  the  people." 

Matthew  Locke  and  Ilerman  Husbands  were  among  those  selected  to  re- 

*  See  his  life  in  Chapter  VIII,  Brunswick,  and  Husbands'  book  in  the  Chapter  Orange, 
Chapter  LVIII. 

t  Julius  Cassar,  Act  iv,  Scene  2d. 

,'  Caruthers  life  of  Rev.  David  Caldwell, 

j  Martin,  ii.  274 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  359 

ceive  these  fees.     An  instance  of  more  determined  resistance,  or  of  purer 
democracy,  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  annals  of  any  people. 

Thepowerof  the  government  was  exercised  to  put  down  this  movement.  The 
military  spirit  of  the  Royal  Governor  (Tryon)  resolved  to  appeal  to  the  sword. 
He  sent  General  WaddcU  to  Salisbury  to  raise  troops,  and  ordered  muni- 
tions of  war  from  Charleston.  We  have  seen  how  the  brave  spirits  of  Ca- 
barrus intercepted  the  wagons  at  Phifer's  mill  (now  Long's  tavern),  and 
destroyed  the  powder,  lead,  flints,  &c.  ;*  and  when  Waddell  advanced  his 
troops  from  Salisbury  to  join  Tryon,  the  bold  sons  of  Kowan  rose  in  arms, 
and  ordered  him  back.  At  Pott's  Creek,  on  10th  May,  1771,  ho  liL-ld  a  coun- 
cil of  his  officers,  and  they  wisely  fell  back  and  re-crossed  the  Yadkin.  But 
for  this,  Waddell  would  have  been  at  the  battle  of  Alamance  on  the  10th. 

After  that  disastrous  event,  in  which,  for  want  of  skill  in  their  leaders 
and  concert  among  their  men,  the  Regulators  were  subdued,  the  bloody 
"  Wolf  of  North  Carolina,"  as  Tryon  was  called  by  the  Indians,  advanced 
in  all  "the  pomp  and  circumstance"  of  official  station,  and  juined  Wa<ldell 
on  4th  .June,  near  Salisbury,  aliout  eight  miles  east  of  the  Yadkin  River. 
He  marched  then  to  the  Moravian  settlements  in  Stokes,  through  Rocking- 
ham, Guilford,  and  Orange  on  the  High  Rock  road,  to  Ilillsboro',  where  he 
had  court  held,  to  try  the  Regulators,  by  his  pliant  tool.  Judge  Howard, 
On  the  20th  he  left  Hillsl)oro',  and  reached  Newbern  on  the  24th  :  and,  on 
the  30th,  left  North  Carolina  for  the  colony  of  New  York,  to  which  he  had 
just  been  appointed  governor.  Thus  was  our  State  rid  of  one  who  had  been 
her  most  oppressive  ruler,  and  bloodthirsty  tyrant. 

This  record,  too,  settles  the  point  never  before  known,  and  about  which 
Caruthers  doubted,  that  Tryon  did  not  advance  as  far  as  Salisbury  after  the 
battle  of  Alamance.  He  dispatched  General  WaddcU  with  his  troops,  con- 
sisting of  three  hundred  and  forty  men,  reinforced  with  four  companies  from 
Orange,  the  light  inf\intry  from  Cumberland,  and  the  artillery  company  from 
Wilmington,  with  a  brass  cannon  and  six  half-swivel  guns,  to  the  north-west 
of  Rowan  (now  Iredell),  Mecklenburg,  and  Tryon  (now  Lincoln),  in  or.ler  to 
suppress  the  people  of  that  region,  and  compel  the  inhabitants  to  take  the 
oath  prescribed,  and  put  down  any  insurrection.  When  this  duty  had  been 
performed,  Waddell  was  to  disband  the  troops. 

AVe  now  approach  a  more  serious  insurrection  (as  Governor  Tryon  would 
have  called  it)  among  tlie  people  of  Rowan— the  Revolution— which  termi- 
nated in  our  Liberty  and  Independence. 

The  efforts  of  Trvon  had  been  too  successful,  for,  with  all  his  faults,  he 
■was  a  soldier,  and  a  determined  one.  To  this  quality  he  added  the  address 
of  a  statesman,  for  he  had  enlisted  under  his  banners,  before  the  designs  of 
the  British  were  openly  discovered,  many  of  the  bravest  and  best  officers  of 
his  day.  Richard  Caswell  was  one  of  his  Colonels  at  Alamance ;  Waddell 
was  a  true  patriot,  and  so  was  Rutherford. 

When  the  designs  of  the  mother  country  were  known,  and  it  was  seen  that 
the  total  subjugation  of  the  people  was  the  object.  Rowan  did  not  hesitate  to 
throw  herself,  in  that  dark  and  dubious  struggle,  on  the  side  of  libertv.  _  _ 

To  the  first  assemblage  of  patriots,  adverse  to  the  oppressions  of  the  British 
Crown,  at  Newbern,  August  25th,  1774,  she  sunt  as  delegates,  Wm.  Ivex.nox, 
Moses  WiNSLOW,  and  Samuel  Young. 

To  the  same  place,  in  April,  1775,  she  sent  Griffith  Rutherford,  W  m. 

Sharp,  and  Wm.  Kennan.  x  o  xr    ^, 

To  Hillsboro',  on  21st  August,  1775,  Matthew  Locke,  James  Smith,  Moses 

WiNSLow,  Saml.  Young,  Wm.  Kennon,  and  Wm.  Suari-.  -     c  i-  i 

This  Congress  appointed  as  Field  Officers  and  Minute  Men,  lor  balisimry 

District,  Tuos.  Waue,  of  Anson,  Colonel ;  Adlai  Osborne,  of  Rowan,  Lieut.- 

To  Halifax,  on  the  22d  April,  1770,'  Griffith  Rutherford  and  MATTUE>r 
Tt^this  Assembly  Griffith  Rutherford  was  appointed  Brigadier-General 

♦  See  page  65. 

32 


360  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

of  the  Salisbury  District ;  Francis  Locke,  Colonel  of  Rowan  ;  Ales.  Dobbins, 
Lioutenant-Oolonel ;  James  Braxxon,  Major;  James  Smith,  2d  Major. 

Officers  of  the  Battalion,  Wm.  Temple  Cole,  Captain  ;  James  Carr,  1st 
Lieutenant;  David  Craige,*  2d  Lieutenant. 

Members  from  Rowan  to  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  which  formed  the  Con- 
stitution, November  12, 1776— Griffith  Rutherford,  Matthew  Locke,  Wm. 
Suarpe,  James  Smith,  John  Brevard. 

In  1775,  the  Royal  Government  had  ceased,  by  the  retreat  of  Governor 
Martin.    The  Civil  Government  of  North  Carolina  vested  in 

1.  A  Provincial  Council  for  the  whole  State,  composed  of  two  members 
from  each  Judicial  District,  and  one  for  the  State  at  large,  who  was  chair- 
man and  (le  facto  Governor.  They  had  power  to  call  out  troops,  appoint 
officers,  draw  upon  the  treasury,  and  do  all  things  necessary  for  the  defence 
and  protection  of  the  State.  The  members  from  the  Salisbury  District  were 
Saml.  Spencer,  of  Anson,  and  Waightstill  Avert,  of  Mecklenburg. 

2.  Committees  of  Safety  for  the  towns  were  composed  of  a  President  and 
twelve  members,  who  were  to  sit  in  the  principal  town  in  each  district,  re- 
ceive information,  and  transmit  it  to  the  Provincial  Council,  and  had  appel- 
late power  over 

3.  County  Committees  of  Safety,  who  were  elected  by  the  freeholders  of 
each  county,  who  were  to  correspond  with  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the 
Town,  who,  if  necessary,  referred  the  communication  to  the  Provincial  Coun- 
cil: had  power  to  examine  all  suspected  persons  ;  arrest,  imprison  and  pun- 
ish ;  prevent  persons  in  debt  from  absconding,  and  compel  others  to  pay  their 
debts ;  and  to  take  especial  care  that  the  public  interest  suffered  no  detri- 
ment. 

For  Rowan  County  were  appointed  Jas.  McCat,  Andrew  Neal,  George 
Cathy,  Alexander  Dobbins,  Francis  Mackorkle,  Matthew  Locke,  Max- 
well Chambers,  Henry  Harmon,  Abrah-am  Denton,  Wm.  Davidson,  Saml. 
Young,  John  Brevard,  Wm.  Kennon,  Geo.  Henry  Barringer,  Robt.  Bell, 
John  Bickerstaff,  John  Cowdex',  John  Lewis  Beard,  John  Nesbit,  Chas. 
McDowell,  Robt.  Blackburn,  Christopher  Beekman,  Wm.  Sharpe,  John 
Johnson,  and  Morgan  Bryan. 

The  journal  of  this  committee,  from  8th  August,  1774,  to  May  7th,  1776, 
has  been  preserved. 

I  am  indebted  to  the  research  of  Professor  Rockwell,  of  Davidson  College, 
and  the  activity  of  ray  agent,  Capt.  Thomas  L.  Tucker,  of  Iredell,  and  the 
kindness  of  Davidson  Sharpe,  for  the  record.  It  is  authentic,  and  throws  such 
a  flood  of  light  on  the  acts  and  actors  of  that  day,  that  I  present  its  pages 
entire 


Journal  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  Rowan  County,  N.   C.j 

from  1774  to  1776. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee,  August  8th,  1774,  the  following 
resolves  were  unanimously  agreed  to  : — 

Kesolved,  That  we  will  at  all  times,  whenever  we  are  called  upon  for  that 
purpose,  maintain  and  defend,  at  the  expense  of  our  lives  and  fortunes,  his 
Majesty's  right  and  title  to  the  Crown  of  Great  Britain  and  his  dominions  in 
America,  to  whose  royal  person  and  government  we  profess  all  due  obedience 
and  fidelity. 

Resolved,  That  the  right  to  impose  taxes  or  duties,  to  be  paid  by  the  in- 
habitants within  this  province,  for  any  purpose  whatsoever,  is  peculiar  and 
essential  to  the  General  Assembly,  in  whom  the  legislative  authority  of  the 
colony  is  vested. 

Besolved,  That  every  attempt  to  impose  such  taxes  or  duties  by  any  other 
authority,  is  an  arbitrary  exertion  of  powei-,  and  an  infringement  of  the  con- 
stitutional rights  and  liberties  of  the  colony. 

Resolved,  That  to  impose  a  tax  or  duty  on  tea  by  the  British  Parliament, 
in  which  the  North  American  Colonies  can  have  no  representation,  to  be 

*  Father  of  Burton  Craige,  Esq.,  of  Salisbury. 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  361 

paid  upon  importation  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  colonies,  is  an  act  of 
power  without  right.  It  is  subversive  to  the  liberties  of  the  said  colonies, 
deprives  them  of  their  property  without  their  own  consent,  and  thereby  re- 
duces them  to  a  state  of  slavery. 

Resohed,  That  the  late  cruel  and  sanguinary  acts  of  Parliament,  to  be 
executed  by  military  force  and  ships  of  war  upon  our  sister  colony  of  the 
Massachusetts  Bay  and  town  of  Boston,  is  a  strong  evidence  of  the  corrupt 
influence  obtained  by  the  British  Ministry  in  Parliament,  and  a  convincing 
proof  of  their  fixed  intention  to  deprive  the  colonies  of  their  constitutional 
rights  and  liberties. 

Resolved,  That  the  cause  of  the  town  of  Boston  is  the  common  cause  of  the 
American  Colonies. 

Resolced,  That  it  is  the  duty  and  interest  of  all  the  American  Colonies 
firmly  to  unite  in  an  indissoluble  union  and  association  to  oppose  by  every 
just  and  proper  means  the  infringement  of  their  common  rights  and  privileges. 

Resolced,  That  a  general  association  between  all  the  American  Colonies 
not  to  import  from  Great  Britain  any  commodity  whatsoever  (except  such 
things  as  shall  be  hereafter  excepted  by  the  General  Congress  of  this  Pro- 
vince), ought  to  be  entered  into,  and  not  dissolved  till  the  just  rights  of  the 
colonies  are  restored  to  them,  and  the  cruel  acts  of  the  British  Parliament 
against  the  Massachusetts  Bay  and  town  of  Boston  are  repealed. 

Resolced,  That  no  friend  to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  America  ought  to 
purchase  any  commodity  whatsoever,  except  such  as  shall  be  excepted,  which 
shall  be  imported  from  Great  Britain  after  the  General  Association  shall  be 
agreed  upon. 

Resolced,  That  every  kind  of  luxury,  dissipation,  and  extravagance  ought 
to  be  banished  from  among  us. 

Resolced,  That  manufactures  ought  to  be  encouraged  by  opening  subscrip- 
tions for  that  purpose,  or  by  any  other  proper  means. 

Resolved,  That  the  African  trade  is  injiiriotis  to  this  colont/,  obstructs  the 
population  of  it  by  freemen,  prevents  manufacturers  and  other  useful  emi- 
grants from  Europe  from  settling  among  us,  and  occasions  an  annual  increase 
of  the  balance  of  trade  against  the  colonies. 

Resolced,  That  the  raising  sheep,  hemp,  and  flax  ought  to  be  encouraged. 

Resolved,  That  to  be  clothed  in  manufocturcs  fabricated  in  the  colonies 
ought  to  be  considered  as  a  badge  of  distinction,  of  respect,  and  true  patriotism. 

Resolced,  That  Messrs.  Samuel  Young  and  Moses  Winslow,  for  the  county 
of  Rowan,  and  for  the  town  of  Salisbury,  William  Kennon,  Esq.,  be,  and  they 
are  hereby  nominated  and  appointed  Deputies  upon  the  part  of  the  inhabit- 
ants and  freeholders  of  this  county  and  town  of  Salisbury,  to  meet  such 
Deputies  as  shall  be  appointed  by  the  other  counties  and  corporations  within 
this  colony,  at  Johnston  Court  House,  the  20th  of  this  instant. 

Resolced,  That,  at  this  important  and  alarming  crisis,  it  be  earnestly  re- 
commended to  the  said  Deputies  at  their  general  Convention,  that  they 
nominate  and  appoint  one  proper  person  out  of  each  district  of  this  province, 
to  meet  such  Deputies  in  a  General  Congress,  as  shall  be  appointed  upon  the 
part  of  the  other  Continental  Colonies  in  America,  to  consult  and  agree  upon 
a  firm  and  indissoluble  union  and  association  for  preserving,  by  the  best  and 
most  proper  means,  their  common  rights  and  liberties. 

Resolced,  That  this  colony  ought  not  to  trade  with  any  colony  which  sliall 
refuse  to  join  in  any  union  and  association  that  shall  be  agreed  upon  by  the 
greater  part  of  the  other  colonies  on  this  continent,  for  preserving  their  com- 
mon rights  and  liberties. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  committee  at  Salisbury,  on  the  23d  day  of  September, 
1774,  William  Kexnox,  Esq.,  in  the  chair,  Adlai  Osborne,  Esq.,  Clerk — 

The  resolves  of  the  Provincial  Congress  met  at  Newberu,  on  the  2ath  day 
of  August  last,  were  read  and  unanimously  agreed  to. 

Resolved,  That  twenty-five  persons  be  appointed  a  committee  to  correspond 
with  the  Provincial  Congress,  and  to  see  tliat  the  resolutions  of  tlie  Conti- 
nental and  Provincial  Congress  be  carried  into  execution  by  the  inhabitants 
of  this  country'. 

Resolced,  That  in  case  of  the  death  of  any  of  the  said  committee,  or  rcfus- 


362  HISTOKT  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

ing  to  act,  the  survivora  or  residue  have  power  to  elect  others  to  maintain  the 
number  of  twenty-five. 

Resolved,  That  the  following  persons  constitute  the  said  Committee,  viz. : 
James  McCay,  Andrew  Neal,  Geor<>;e  Cathy,  Alexander  Dobbins,  Francis 
McKorkle,  Matthew  Locke,  Maxwell  Chambers,  Henry  Harmon,  Abraham 
Dinton,  AVllliam  Davidson,  Samuel  Young,  John  Brevard,  William  Kennon, 
George  Henry  Barringer,  Robert  Bell,  John  Bickerstaff,  John  Cowden,  John 
Lewis  Beard,  John  Nisbet,  Charles  McDowel,  Robert  Blackburn,  Christopher 
Beekman,  A\"illiam  Sharpe,  John  Johnson,  Morgan  Bryan. 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee  meet  at  Salisbury  on  the  second  day  of  each 
County  Court,  or  on  the  second  day  of  the  week  on  which  the  County  Court 
used  to  be  held. 

Resolved,  That  thirteen  of  the  members  of  said  Committee  be  a  board  to 
transact  business. 

Resolved,  That  "William  Kennon,  Esq.,  be  Chairman  of  said  Committee,  and 
in  his  absence  Maxwell  Chambers,  and  that  the  Chairman,  for  the  time  being, 
have  power  to  convene  the  said  Committee  occasionally. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  of  the  Meeting  transmit  a  copy  of  the  resolves  to 
each  member  of  said  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  the  people  of  this  county  will  break  off  all  trade,  commerce, 
and  dealing,  and  will  not  maintain  the  least  trade,  dealing,  or  intercourse 
with  any  person  or  persons  resident  in  this  county,  who  shall  refuse,  decline, 
or  neglect  to  carry  into  execution  the  resolves  made  at  the  general  meeting 
of  Deputies  of  this  province  at  Newbern,  the  25th  of  August  last,  and  that 
those  who  offend  herein  shall  be  deemed  enemies  to  their  country  and  treated 
accordingly. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  county  be  given  to  the  Deputies  of  the  said 
County  and  Town  of  Salisbury,  for  their  faithful  attendance  on  the  Provincial 
Congress. 

Resolved,  That  each  Company  of  Rowan  militia  raise  £20  proc,  to  be  paid 
into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Maxwell  Chambers.  The  sum  of  £20,  which  collec- 
tion is  to  be  transmitted  to  Colonel  Richard  Caswell,  and  the  remainder  to 
remain  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Maxwell  Chambers,  for  defraying  future  contin- 
gencies, to  be  disposed  of  by  this  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  of  this  Committee,  as  soon  as  convenient, 
write  to  the  Provincial  Committee  of  Correspondence,  informing  them  that 
there  is  a  committee  elected  for  the  county,  ready  to  correspond  with  said 
committee,  and  also  a  letter  to  Richard  Caswell,  Esq.,  requesting  an  account 
of  the  proceedings  in  the  Continental  Congress. 

Re:olved,  That  AVilliam  Davidson,  John  Beckerstaff,  and  Robert  Bell,  wait 
on  Messrs.  Jno.  and  William  Kelly,  to  desire  their  attendance  on  this  com- 
mittee,_in  order  to  answer  a  charge  of  having  infringed  the  provincial  resolves 
by  selling  powder  at  a  higher  rate  than  it  had  been  sold  for  three  months 
past.  Messrs.  John  and  William  Kelly  attended  accordingly,  and  being  ex- 
amined with  regard  to  powder  which  they  acknowledged  to  have  sold  for  ten 
shillings  per  pound, 

Resolved,  That  five  shillings  is  a  sufficient  price  for  powder  at  this  time. 

Resolved,  That  any  person  who  shall  sell  or  buy  powder  for  more  than  five 
shillings,  shall  be  deemed  an  enemy  to  his  country  and  treated  accordingly. 

Be  it  remembered,  that  Will.  Kelly  acknowledged  that  ten  shillings  per 
pound  was  too  great  a  price  for  powder,  and  that  his  intention  was  to  sell 
six  pence  cheaper  per  pound,  than  any  other  merchant  in  the  county.  But 
that  John  Kelly,  to  whom  the  powder  belonged,  would  not  permit  him,  and 
that  tlie  said  John  Kelly  declared,  that  he  would  not  sell  his  powder  for  five 
shillings,  proc. 

An  advertisement,  signed  by  John  Dunn  and  Benjamin  Booth  Boote,  being 
read  in  this  Committee, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  advertisement  contains  sundry  allegations  altogether 
false,  scandalous,  wicked  and  impertinent,  and  that  the  authors  thereof  justly 
merit  the  censure  and  detestation  of  the  county. 

A  paper  being  read  in  the  committee,  known  to  be  a  copy  of  a  paper  called 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  363 

a  protest  referred  to  in  the  above  advertisement,  composed  by  the  said  John 
Dunn  and  Benjamin  Booth  Boote, 

Resolved,  That  the  said  paper  is  in  the  highest  degree  false  and  contempt- 
ible, and  even  bordering  on  blasphemy,  and  that  the  authors  thereof  ought 
to  be  treated  ■with  the  contempt  which  the  authors  of  so  infamous  a  perform- 
ance deserve,  and  as  enemies  to  their  country. 

Itesulced,  That  a  copy  of  the  above  resolves,  respecting  an  advertisement 
and  paper  called  a  protest,  composed  by  John  Dunn  and  Benjamin  Booth  Boote, 
be  put  up  against  the  two  posts  of  the  gallows  and  the  whipping-post,  to  de- 
monstrate the  contempt  in  which  the  committee  hold  the  authors  of  so  infa- 
mous a  performance. 

This  Committee  then  adjourned. 

WILLIAM  KENNON,  Chairman. 

Adlai  Osborne,  Clerk. 

Noveml)er  2d,  1774,  being  appointed  for  a  meeting  of  the  County  Commit- 
tee, a  sufficient  number  of  the  gentlemen  appointed  to  constitute  the  County 
Committee  not  attending,  this  meeting  was  adjourned  till  to-morrow,  nine 
o'clock. 

November  3d.   The  Committee  met  this  morning  according  to  adi'ournment. 

WILLIAM  KENNON,  Esq.,  Chairman. 

James  Macay,  Clerk. 

Information  being  made  to  the  Committee,  by  Samuel  Young,  that  John 
Johnson  refused  to  serve  as  member  of  the  Committee, 

Resolved,  That  Adlai  Osborne,  Esq.,  be  chosen  in  his  stead.  Mr,  Osborne 
was  accordingly  admitted  a  member  of  the  Committee. 

The  members  of  the  Committee  finding  it  extremely  inconvenient  upon  any 
special  emergency  to  assemble  thirteen  members. 

Resolved,  That  five  membei"s  be  a  sufficient  Committee,  for  the  time  being, 
to  act  upon  extraordinary  occasions,  and  that  whatsoever  shall  be  done  by 
these  shall  be  considered  as  the  act  of  the  wlrole  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  the  resolution  of  this  Committee,  entered  into  the  23d  of 
September  last,  relative  to  Mr.  Dunn,  and  JMr.  Boote,  be  executed  this  day  by 
John  Bone,  Town  Constable. 

William  Spurgin  appearing  before  the  Committee,  to  answer  a  charge  against 
his  conduct  relative  to  the  protest  and  advertisement  of  Dunn  and  Boote,  he 
denied  his  having  signed  them,  yet  the  Committee  judged  he  had  not  given 
entire  satisfaction. 

Resolved,  Therefore,  that  William  Spurgin,  Esq.,  by  disavowing  all  con- 
nection with  his  Country,  in  the  present  measures,  has  as  far  as  in  his  power 
relinquished  the  rights  of  the  people  and  opposed  them,  to  be  illegally  and 
unconstitutionally  taxed  by  the  British  Ministry,  which  has  a  tendency  to 
spread  sedition  amongst  His  Majesty's  loyal  subjects  in  the  County  of 
llowan,  for  which  he  is  justly  deemed  by  this  Committee  an  enemy  to  his 
country,  and  should  be  treated  as  such  by  all  His  Majesty's  loyal  subjects  in 
America. 

Resolved,  That  the  Chairman,  with  three  or  more  members  of  Committee, 
request  a  meeting  of  the  people  of  that  neighborhood  at  Spraiker's,  as  they 
dift'er  in  opinion  from  this  Committee,  in  the  present  unhappy  dispute  be- 
tween America  and  the  British  Parliament,  there  to  confer  together  for  their 
mutual  benefit. 

Then  this  committee  adjourned. 

WM.  KENNON,  Esq.,  Chairman. 

James  Macat,  Clerk. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  County  Committee  on  the  8th  day  of  February,  1775, 
Will.  Kennon,  Esq.,  Chairman,  Adlai  Osborne,  Esq.,  Clerk — 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  inhabitants  of  Rowan  County  that 
the  several  militia  companies  meet  together,  and  each  choose  committee-men, 


364  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


ita 


which  Committee  so  chosen  shall  meet  at  Salisbury  the  first  of  March  next, 
and  then  have  power  to  elect  deputies,  -who  are  to  meet  at  Newbern  or  else- 
where, and  vote  for  delegates  for  the  General  Congress,  to  meet  at  Philadel- 
phia the  10th  of  May  next ;  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Rowan  to  impower  their  Committee  at  their  first  meeting  to  resolve  what  num- 
ber of  said  Committee  may  proceed  upon  business,  and  particularly  that  the 
said  Committee  make  such  resolves  and  adopt  such  measures  as  may  enforce 
the  ob?ervation  of  the  resolves  of  the  General  Congress,  and  most  effectually 
preserve  to  America  her  natural  and  political  privileges, 

ADLAI  OSBORNE,  Clerk. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  on,  the  1st  of  June,  1775,  Samuel  Yovsg, 
Chairman,  J WE^  Macay,  Clerk — 

JlesolveJ,  That  Messrs.  George  Cathy  and  John  Montgomery  carry  an  ex- 
press to  Col.  Walker,  requesting  him  to  take  into  his  possession  a  certain 
quantity  of  powder  now  in  possession  of  Conrad  Ileldebrand,  and  on  his 
refusal  to  act  according  to  His  Majesty's  proclamation  and  the  act  of  As- 
sembly of  this  Province,  that  the  bearer  of  this  request  immediately  return 
his  answer  to  Will.  Berry,  that  he  return  it  to  Christ'r  Beakman,  and  in  case 
of  refusal  he  do  forthwith  take  in  possession  the  said  powder,  or  take  suffi- 
cient security  of  said  Ileldebrand  that  he  will  not  remove  said  powder  out 
of  the  County,  or  sell  it  to  our  enemies,  nor  take  any  advantage  of  the  pre- 
sent difficulties  by  raising  the  price  on  those  who  purchase  of  him. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs,  Sam.  Young,  Christ'r  Beakman  and  James  3Iacay 
be  a  committee  to  draw  up  an  address  to  the  several  militia  companies  of  the 
County,  to  be  signed  by  them. 

Resolved,  That  Robert  King,  John  Oliphant,  and  David  Caldwell  settle  with 
Maxwell  Chambers,  former  treasurer. 

Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  two  pounds  be  allowed  from  each  company  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  the  delegates  for  the  Continental  and  Provincial 
Congresses,  and  that  the  overplus  money  be  applied  to  contingent  expenses  of 
the  common  cause. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Samuel  Young  be  treasurer  ;  that  he  receive  the  sums 
raised  of  each  company,  and  that  he  pay  the  seyeral  delegates  for  their  ser- 
vices. 

Resolved,  That  Maxwell  Chambers  be  publicly  advertised  in  the  South 
Carolina  Gazette  as  an  enemy  to  the  common  cause  of  liberty,  for  raising  the 
price  of  his  goods  higher  than  be  sold  at  a  year  past,  contrary  to  the  direc- 
tion of  the  Continental  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  Hugh  Montgomery  be  brought  before  this  Committee,  to 
answer  a  charge  of  selling  powder  at  a  higher  price  than  had  been  set  on  it 
by  this  Committee. 

Let  it  be  remembered  that  Mr.  Montgomery,  on  his  appearance,  generous- 
ly acknowledged  his  trespass  of  the  resolve,  and  declared  his  intention  to  do 
so  no  more. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  militia  companies  raise  such  sums  of  money  as 
may  serve  their  several  purposes  in  case  of  any  emergency  ;  that  part  of  said 
sums  be  applied  in  providing  powder  and  lead,  that  they  may  l^  provided 
against  the  invasion  of  the  Indians  on  the  frontier,  which  seems  at  present 
probable. 

Resolved,  That  James  Macay  be  clerk  of  this  Committee,  and  act  as  such 
during  pleasure. 

An  Address  to  the  sevei-al  Militia  Captains  and  their  Companies. 

"  We,  His  Majesty's  loyal  subjects,  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Rowan, 
propose  to  your  consideration  and  assent  the  following  things  :— 

"  That  His  Majesty,  George  the  Third,  is  lawful  and^'rightful  King  of  Great 
Britain  and  the  dominions  thereunto  belono-in", 

"  That  by  the  Constitution  of  our  Government  we  are  a  free  people,  not  sub- 
ject to  be  taxed  by  any  power  but  that  of  the  happy  Constitution,  which 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  365 

limits  both  sovereignty  and  allegiance,  which  defends  us  from  being  taxed 
by  any  man,  or  set  of  men,  loithout  representation  and  consent,  and  declares 
it  illegal  for  any  to  dispose  of  others'  property  in  a  different  way. 

"That  it  is  our  duty  to  defend  the  succession  of  his  present  Majesty  and  the 
illustrious  Hanoverian  line  ;  likewise  the  happy  Constitution  under  which 
we  live  ;  and  that  it  is  our  duty  to  surrender  our  lives  before  our  constitu- 
tional privileges  to  any  set  of  men  upon  earth.  We  beseech  such  of  you  as 
may  be  of  a  different  opinion  to  consider  the  bill  of  rights  and  the  compact 
on  which  the  Constitution  is  founded,  that  you  may  see  to  what  end  different 
principles  may  lead. 

"  Each  captain  and  such  of  his  company  as  think  it  their  duty  to  hand  down 
unimpaired  to  posterity  the  rights  and  privileges  their  ancestors,  through 
seas  of  blood,  handed  down  to  them,  are  desired  to  join  their  hands  hereto." 

To  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Mecklenburg. 

Gentlemen — The  alarming  state  of  American  freedom  being  in  the  con- 
sideration of  all  committees,  from  the  Continental  Congress,  now  sitting  at 
Philadelphia,  to  the  smaller  kind  through  the  province ;  we,  a  committee  for 
the  County  of  Rowan  now  met  at  Salisbury,  desiring  a  communication  to  be 
held  up  betwixt  the  several  committees,  that  the  greater  unity  may  be  in 
supporting  the  common  cause  ;  in  particular,  desiring  the  correspondence  of 
your  committee,  considering  our  profession  and  intentions  for  Protestantism 
are  the  same — we  request  that  we  may  have  an  account  of  your  proceedings, 
promising  you  a  like  return. 

"We  beseech  you  likewise  that  with  us  you  would  lift  your  hearts  in  un- 
dissembled  prayers  to  the  Disposer  of  all  Events,  that  he  would  by  his 
Providence  interpose  against  the  counsels  of  designing  men.  That  we  may 
have  our  Constitution  as  contained  in  the  Magna  Charta,  the  Charter  of  the 
Forest,  the  Habeas  Corpus  Act,  and  the  Charter  we  brought  over  with  us, 
handed  down  unsullied  to  posterity ;  and  that,  under  God,  the  present  House 
of  Hanover,  in  legal  succession,  may  be  the  defenders  of  it. 

By  order  of  the  Committee,  signed  by 

JAMES  MACAY,  Clerk. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee,  July  18th,  1775 — 

A  proclamation  being  read  from  his  Excellency  Josiah  Martin,  dated  June 
16th,  1775 — the  Committee  judging  it  entirely  false  in  its  tenure,  and  in 
its  nature,  of  mischievous  consequence  ;  a  corrupt  gloss  upon  the  diabolical 
measures  of  a  debauched  ministry,  tending  to  seduce  the  minds  of  the  popu- 
lace and  bring  them  off  from  their  true  interest  in  opposing  the  cruel  mea- 
sures of  an  unjust  ministry — 

liesolved,  therefore,  unanimously,  That  an  advertisement  be  made  setting 
forth  the  dangerous  tendency  of  said  proclamation,  and  that  a  copy  of  the 
same  be  transmitted  to  the  several  militia  captains  of  this  county. 

Information  being  made  to  the  Committee  there  was  a  strong  suspicion 
Benjamin  Booth  Boote  had  received  letters  from  his  Excellency  of  same 
tenure  with  said  proclamation, 

Resolved,  therefore,  unanimously.  That  Benjamin  B.  Boote  be  summoned 
before  the  Committee  and  demanded  to  produce  said  letters. 

Resovled,  That  if  he  refuses  to  produce  said  letters,  or  denies  the  receiving 
them,  force  shall  be  used  and  diligent  search  made  in  order  to  procure  them. 

Benjamin  B.  Boote  being  first  invited  and  afterward  summoned  to  appear 
before  the  Committee,  and  continuing  obstinate,  declaring  his  resolution 
neither  to  appear,  nor  to  deliver  the  letters, 

Resolved,  in  consequence  whereof.  That  Wm.  Temple  Coles  be  Captain  of 
the  youth  in  Salisbury  to  guard  tlie  house  of  Benjamin  B.  Boote,  and  that 
they  prevent  the  conveyance  of  all  sustenance  to  him  until  he  deliver  the 
aforesaid  letters,  and  that  they  search  all  other  places  suspected  to  conceal 
said  letters.     He  acknowledged  the  receipt  of  letters  from  the  Governor. 

And  that  the  letters,  if  received,  be  given  into  the  hands  of  Adlai  Osborne, 
Esq.,  or  John  Lewis  Beard,  until  the  next  sitting  of  the  Committee. 


366  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  for  the  County  of  Rowan,  August  1,  1775, 
Moses  Winslow,  Chairman,  James  Macay,  Clerk.     On  motion, 

RettoJccd,  That  Cul.  Kennon,  Mr^  Avery,  and  Mr.  Coles,  be  admitted  to 
seats  in  this  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  a  friendly  address  be  sent  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Fork  of 
Yadkin,  in  order  that  a  conference  may  be  had  with  them  on  Friday  next. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Avery,  Samuel  Young,  and  Wm.  Sharp,  be  a  Com- 
mittee to  draw  up  said  address.  Mr.  Cook,  the  Baptist  preacher,  appearing 
before  the  Committee,  and  in  the  most  explicit  and  humiliating  terms  pro- 
fessing his  sorrow  for  signing  the  protest  against  the  cause  of  liberty,  which 
lately  circulated  in  the  Furk  of  the  Yadkin  ;  and  other  parts  of  his  conduct 
in  opposing  the  just  rights  and  liberties  of  the  nation  in  general,  and 
American  liberty  in  particular,  and  entreating  for  information  relative  to  the 
present  unhappy  disturbance, 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Samuel  Young  and  William  Sharp  wait  on  Mr. 
Cook,  and  give  him  all  the  information  in  their  power. 

Resolved,  That  one  thousand  volunteers  be, immediately  embodied  in  this 
County,  elect  their  stafiF  oflScers,  and  be  ready  at  the  shortest  notice  to  march 
out  to  action. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Samuel  Young,  James  Macay,  and  "NYm.  Sharp,  be  a 
Committee  to  draw  up  an  address  to  the  several  Militia  Companies.  Which 
being  done  was  read,  and  is  as  follows : — 

Gentlemen — We,  the  Committee  for  the  County  of  Rowan  and  town  of  Salis- 
bury, having  received  a  letter  from  the  honorable  Continental  Congress,  re- 
commending to  this  County,  immediately,  to  form  a  part  of  the  men  able  to 
bear  arms  into  regular  companies,  for  the  defence  of  the  Province  against 
the  tyranny  and  designs  of  the  King's  ministers,  to  undo  him  and  us.  Thus 
far  the  recommendation  of  the  Congress,  which  we  are  farther  led  most  anxious- 
ly to  engage  in,  from  having  now  in  our  possession  letters  directed  by  Lord 
Dartmouth,  the  King's  Secretary,  and  General  Gage,  his  commander  at  Bos- 
ton, declaring  their  intention  to  attack  this  province,  by  arming  one  part  of 
us  under  British  officers  against  the  other;  by  which  cruel  means  each  neigh- 
borhood would  be  engaged  in  bloody  massacre  with  its  adjacent,  in  that  bitter 
scourge  to  humanity,  a  civil  war.  Brother  against  brother,  and  son  against 
the  father,  letting  loose  upon  our  defenceless  frontier  a  torrent  of  blood,  by  the 
savage  rage  of  Indian  barbarity;  who  are  ordered  a  supply  of  arms  ancf  am- 
munition, by  Lord  North,  immediately  to  attack  us,  and  resent  the  inhuman 
cruelties  of  the  last  war.  Ripping  infants  from  the  wombs  of  their  expiring 
mothers;  roasting  Christians  to  death  by  slow  fire.  But  let  us  quit  a  sub- 
ject disgraceful  to  Christianity,  and  rouse  like  one  man  in  defence  of  our 
religion  from  popery,  of  our  liberty  from  slavery,  and  our  lives  from  torment- 
ing death. 

A\  e  exhort  that  each  captain  do  enlist  as  many  men  within  his  company, 
or  elsewhere,  as  in  his  power  ;  who  are  to  form  themselves  into  companies  of 
fifty  men,  or  more,  choose  their  officers,  and  be  supplied  with  ammunition  for 
the  purposes  abovesaid,  within  their  County  and  frontiers.  And  it  is  most 
earnestly  recommended  that  they  do,  as  quick  as  possible,  improve  themselves 
in  the  discipline  and  exercise. 

Resolved,  That  all  powder  in  this  town  be  taken  into  the  possession  of  this 
Committee. 

Resolved,  That  Hugh  ]\Iontgomery,  Maxwell  Chambers,  William  Nisbet, 
Matthew  Troy,  and  Mr.  Mitchell,  be  required  to  declare  on  oath  to  this  Com- 
mittee, what  quantity  of  powder,  lead,  and  flints,  in  their  possession;  and 
that  they  deliver  the  same  to  the  order  of  this  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Matthew  Troy  do  deliver  unto  this  Committee  all  the 
powder  in  his  custody,  the  property  of  John  Kelly,  and  that  the  Committee 
indemnify  Mr.  Troy  for  said  action. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  above  resolve  signed  by  all  the  members  be 
given  to  Mr.  Troy,  as  the  obligation  of  this  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  John  AVork  deliver  to  the  order  of  the  Committee,  one  quarter 
cask  of  powder,  and  all  the  lead  and  flints  in  his  possession,  and  that  the 
Committee  pay  for  the  same  the  price  set  upon  these  articles. 


KOWAN  COUNTY.  367 

Eesolved,  That  George  Henry  Barringer,  Esq.,  David  Woodson,  and  Richard 
Shaver,  attend  on  Lewis  Jefre,  and  by  order  of  the  Committee,  require  him 
to  deliver  to  them  the  powder  and  ammunition  in  his  possession,  and  that 
this  Committee  obligate  themselves  to  pay  for  the  same.  Also,  that  they 
wait  on  Frederick  Fisher  for  the  same  purpose. 

Be  it  remembered  that  the  day  before,  a  petition  was  presented  by  Doctor 
Xewman,  and  others,  against  the  seeming  arbitrary  conduct  of  Col.  Kennon, 
and  others,  in  the  case  of  Dunn  and  Boote. 

Resolved,  That  the  petition  presented  by  Doctor  Newman,  be  considered. 
After  a  long  debate,  the  questions  were  put: — 

1.  Whether  the  malice,  &c.,  as  charged  in  the  petition,  was  proved? 
Answered  in  the  negative. 

2.  Whether  there  was  a  necessity  for  taking  Dunn  and  Boote? 
Answered  in  the  affirmative. 

3.  When  taken,  whether  to  be  removed  ? 
Answered  in  the  affirmative. 

4.  And  if  removed,  whether  to  South  Carolina? 
Answered  in  the  affirmative. 

5.  Whether  the  conduct  of  Col.  Martin,  and  others,  be  a  precedent  for  the 
future  in  all  cases  of  the  like  nature? 

Answered  in  the  negative. 

6.  Whether  the  conduct  of  Col.  Martin,  and  others,  merited  the  thanks  of 
this  Committee,  considering  the  alarming  situation  of  the  Province  in  general  ? 
Answered  in  the  affirmative. 

Resolved,  That  John  Olyphant,  James  Patterson,  William  Neal,  and  Gil- 
braith  Falls,  declare  in  open  Committee,  that  the  determination  relative  to 
their  dispute  falling  in  favor  of  either  party,  shall  be  no  let  or  cause  of  divi- 
sion with  them  in  support  of  right,  and  liberty. 

Whereas,  From  the  late  contradictory  and  equivocal  behaviour  of  Captain 
Oli/phant,  it  appears  he  cannot  be  entrusted  to  execute  the  late  resolve  of  this 
Committee  with  respect  to  embodying  volunteers.  And,  said  captain  refusing 
to  act  any  longer  in  that  capacity — 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Olyphant's  company  meet  as  soon  as  possible,  elect 
proper  officers,  and  that  the  captain  so  appointed,  is  hereby  directed  to  exe-^ 
cute  the  resolve  of  this  Committee  relative  to  raising  and  embodying  volun- 
teers. 

Resolved,  That  the  8th  day  of  this  instant,  a  poll  be  opened  for  the  election 
of  the  Town  of  Salisbury,  and  that  they  elect  one  or  more  delegates  to  sit  in 
Provincial  Congress. 

Resolved,  That  the  poll  open  Immediately,  and  that  the  county  choose  tbeir 
delegates. 

Resolved,  That  the  14th  of  this  instant,  Jonathan  Hunt  and  Samuel  Bryans, 
meet  this  Committee,  and  make  oath  to  the  signers  of  the  papers  by  them 
produced. 

Resolved,  That  Sassinfield,  and  company,  come  before  this  Committee,  the 
14th  instant,  in  the  same  manner  and  on  the  same  terms  that  Jonathan  Hunt, 
the  Bryans,  and  others,  came  before  this  Committee  on  the  4th  instant. 

Ordered,  That  ^Ir.  James  Macay  serve  Sassinfield's  company  with  a  copy 
of  the  foregoing  resolve. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  William  Davidson  take  into  his  custody  the  pow- 
der, lead,  and  flints  in  the  possession  of  John  Work,  and  dispose  of  the  same 
according  to  the  order  of  the  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  Christopher  Beekmnn  take  into  his  custody  the  powder,  lead, 
and  flints  now  in  the  possession  of  Conrad  Ileldebrand,  and  dispose  of  the 
same  at  the  order  of  the  committee,  and  for  the  security  of  payment  to  Con- 
rad Ileldebrand,  he  deliver  to  him,  at  the  receiving  of  it,  an  order  on  this  Com- 
mittee, which  shall  be  accepted  by  us. 

Resolved,  That  for  the  time  being,  each  militia  company  pay  their  quota  of 
expense  according  to  the  number  of  taxablcs. 

Resolved,  That  for  the  time  being,  each  militia  company  shall  send  two 
members  to  Committee. 


368  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Resohrrl,  That  Robert  King,  William  Sharpe,  and  James  Wallace,  be  a 
Committee  to  make  a  register  of  the  past  resolves  of  this  County  Committee. 

JAMES  MACAY,  Clerk. 

Salisbury,  September  20,  1775. 
The  Committee  for  the  County  of  Rovran  met  according  to  adjournment. 
Present, 

Sam'I  Young,  m/7<eC/iaiV,     David  Caldwell,  Robert  Moore, 

James  Brandon,  Clerk,         John  Nisbctt,  John  Hardin, 

Alexander  Osborne,  James  Smith,  Josias  Black, 

John  Brevard,  George  Davidson,  Jacob  Nicholas, 

Griffith  Rutherford,  William  Davidson,  Matthias  Baringer, 

William  Alexander,  William  Grant,  Peter  Ayer, 

Francis  McKorkle,  Samuel  Harris,  Thomas  Blacksheir, 

James  Wilson,  Peter  Mull,  Isaac  Wilcockson, 

Joseph  Dixon,  Joseph  Lawrence,  Hugh  Brevard, 

Ninian  Steel,  Ephraim  McLain,  John  Lewis  Beard, 

John  Montgomery,  John  Davidson,  Christopher  Beekman. 

William  Cowan,  Jr., 

Josiah  Black  and  John  Hardin  contending  for  the  captain's  commission  of 
a  vacancy  on  the  Catawba  River — 

Resolved,  That  they  return  home  and  give  public  notice  to  the  inhabitants 
of  the  district,  to  meet  at  William  Walker's,  on  the  5th  day  of  October  next, 
to  choose  and  elect  their  officers,  and  that  Christopher  Beekman  is  directed 
to  see  the  election  regularly  and  justly  carried  on ;  and  that  James  Greenlee 
and  Andrew  Woods  be  the  clerks  for  said  election,  who  are  directed  to  de- 
liver the  polls  of  said  election  to  Christopher  Beekman,  -who  shall  make  due 
return  thereof  to  the  Committee,  in  Salisbury.  And,  that  the  bounds  of  the 
district  shall  Ire  as  follows,  viz :  To  start  upon  the  Catawba  River,  half  a  mile 
above  Joseph  Dobson's,  running  thence  to  John  Kennedy's,  on  Silver  Creek, 
thence  up  said  creek  to  the  Tryon  line,  thence  down  said  line  opposite  to 
AV'hitnor's  bottom  on  Jacobs  River,  thence  to  Silver  Creek  Road,  thence 
.  to  Jacob  Terriberry's,  upon  the  main  Catawba  River,  thence  up  said  river  to 
the  beginning. 

Xumber  of  taxables  given  in  by  the  following  captains,  viz : — 

Captain  McCrary's,  Company,  .     91  Captain  Robinson's  Company,     113 

Captain  Archibald's  "  .  144  Captain  Matthias  Baringer's,    .     88 

Captain  Berkley's  "  .   180  Captain  Beekman's         "  .  114 

Captain  Wm.  Davidson's  "  .  118  Captain  Dixon's  "  .  116 

Captain  McCorcle's  "  .     64 

Adjourned  to  the  21st,  half  past  six  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

The  House  met  according  to  adjournment. 

John  Work  complained  that  David  Vance  is  indebted  to  him  by  note  near 
fourteen  pounds  proc. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  John  Work  demand  his  debt  of  the  said  David 
Vance,  and  upon  tlie  non-payment  thereof,  to  demand  security  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  same  in  three  months  from  the  date  thereof,  and  upon  refusal  to 
apply  to  the  Clerk  of  the  Court  for  the  ordinary  process  for  the  recovery  of 
the  same. 

Whereaft,  Captain  George  Davidson  hath  been  charged  by  some  persons 
with  supplying  the  Cherokee  Indians  with  ammunition — 

But,  upon  examination  of  the  evidences,  find  that  the  accusation  is  ftilse 
and  groundless ;  the  said  Capt.  Davidson  is  by  this  house  thought  clear  of 
the  above  charge. 

Whereas,  Rol)ert  Latta  complained  to  this  Committee  that  sundry  persons 
are  indebted  to  him  and  Avill  not  pay  their  accounts — 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  369 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Robert  Latta  again  make  demand  of  each  person 
his  debt,  and,  upon  non-pa_yment,  to  demand  security  for  the  payment  uf  the 
same  on  the  first  day  of  November  next.  Upon  failure  thereof,  he  ia  hereby 
authorized  to  sue  for  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  Capt.  Brevard  cite  Jolin  Perhins  to  appear  before  the  next 
Committee,  in  Salisbury,  to  give  an  account  of  his  political  sentiments  relative 
to  American  freedom. 

Resolved,  That  Capt.  Dickson,  John  Brevard,  Capt.  Davidson,  Col.  Osborn, 
Col.  Rutherf  )rd,  James  Kei-r,  William  Alexander,  and  James  Brandon,  be  a 
committee  to  attend  at  Adam  Torrence's,  on  the  25tl\ instant,  before  ■whom  a 
certain  James  Garner  shall  be  caused  to  appear  by  Capt.  William  Davidson, 
to  render  an  account  of  his  political  sentiments  relative  to  American  liberty, 
and  be  sulijeet  to  the  determination  of  said  committee. 

Resolved,  That  Capt.  William  Davidson  give  notice  to  Jolin  Olypliant  to 
appear  before  next  Committee,  in  Salisbury,  to  render  an  account  of  some 
late  conduct  in  opposition  to  American  measures. 

Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  of  this  Committee  address  to  the  Committee 
of  Safety  in  Charles  Town,  requesting  them  to  send  us  as  large  a  quantity  of 
gunpowder  as  they  can  conveniently  spare  for  the  safety  and  defence  of  this 
county.  And  the  credit  of  this  Committee  is  hereby  pledged  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  prime  cost,  and  a  reasonable  advance,  to  Matthew  Locke,  Wra, 
Nisbett,  or  James  Brandon,  for  purchasing  and  bringing  up  the  same. 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee  will  pay  John  Work  the  sum  of  five  shillings 
per  pound  for  the  gunpowder,  and  10^.  per  lb.  for  the  lead  mentioned  in  last 
committee  resolve,  against  the  first  of  Feb.  next. 

SAMUEL  YOUNG,  Chairman. 

James  Brandon,  Secretary, 

Pursuant  to  order  of  last  Committee,  the  following  members  met  at  Adam 
Torrence's,  on  the  25th  of  Sept.,  1775,  viz.,  John  Brevard,  chairman,  Griffith 
Rutherford,  Geo.  Davidson,  Joseph  Dickson,  Wm.  Alexander,  and  James 
Kerr. 

After  maturely  examining  and  hearing  the  culprit,  James  Garner, 

Resolved,  That  although  the  said  James  Garner  h:is  said  some  things 
disrespectfully  of  the  measures  pursuing  for  tlie  preservation  of  American 
freedom,  he  has  honestly  professed  his  sorrow  for  the  same,  and  has  signed 
the  test  proposed  by  Provincial  Congress. 

Signed  by  JOHN  BREVARD,  Chairman. 

Pursuant  to  a  resolve  of  Congress,  held  at  Ilillsboro',  in  the  Province  of 
North  Carolina,  on  the  20th  of  Augt.,  1775,  the  freeholders  and  householders 
in  the  county  of  Rowan  appeared  at  the  Court  House,  in  Salisbury,  on  Tues- 
day, the  17th  of  October,  in  the  same  year,  when  the  following  gentlemen 
were  duly  elected  members  for  the  Committee  in  said  county,  viz.,  William 
Alexander,  Josiah  Rouncifer,  Samuel  Young,  John  Archibald,  John  Purvi- 
ance,  Christopher  Beekman,  Matthew  Locke,  Moses  Winsley,  John  Hardin, 
Hugh  Brevard,  David  Smith,  Israel  Cox,  Jonathan  Hunt,  Charles  McDowell, 
Mathias  Baringer,  Robert  Moore,  John  Brevard,  John  Dickey,  Robert 
Holmes,  Gilbraith  Falls,  Griffith  Rutherford,  Robt.  Kings,  Samuel  Reed, 
John  Lopp,  William  Sharpe,  James  Smith,  Hugh  Montgomery,  John  Lewis 
Beard,  David  Robison,  Francis  McCorcIe,  William  jMoore,  William  Davidson, 
Thomas  Whitson,  Geo.  Henry  Baringer,  John  Sloan,  John  Montgomery, 
Alexander  Dobbins. 

The  said  Committee  mot  on  Tuesday  evening,  tho  17th  of  October,  1775, 
when  the  following  members  were  present: — 

Griffith  Rutherford,  Wm.  Alexander,  Robert  King,  Josiah  Rouncifer, 
Samuel  Reed,  Samuel  Young,  William  Sharpe,  James  Smith,  John  Archibald, 
John  Purviance,  Hugh  Montgomery,  .John  Lewis  Beard,  Christopher  Beek- 
man, David  Robison,  John  Hardin,  John  Sloan,  Robert  Moore,  John  Brevard, 
John  Montgomery,  John  Dickey,  Alexander  Dobbins. 


370 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


The  Committee  proceeded  to  choose  a  chairman  and  secretary,  when  Mr. 
Samuel  Young  was  chosen  chairman,  and  Mr.  "William  Sharpe  secretary. 

Pursuant  to  a  resolve  of  last  Committee,  John  Perkins  appeared. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  .John  Perkins  has  given  such  an  account  of  his 
political  sentiments  relative  to  American  freedom  as  is  satisfactory. 

llesolved,  That  the  principles  upon  which,  and  the  measures  Christopher 
Beekman  pursued  in  obtaining  the  appearance  of  John  Perkins  before  this 
Committee,  was  reasonable  and  justifiable. 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  at  seven  o'clock. 

The  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Pursuant  to  resolve  of  last  Congress,  the  number  of  souls  in  Rowan  County 
appears  as  foUoweth  : — 


Companies'  Names. 


Capt.  Knox- 

Capt.  Dickson 

Capt.  Davidson,  Up  River 

Capt.  3IcCrary's, 

Snow  and  Rocky  Creeks, 


V   . 

4)  o 
§2 


165 
76 
71 

85 
27 


>  a 

<;  3 


c 

a    ■ 
p  2 


209 
104 
129 
123 

47 


169 

77 
74 
77 
34 


Male 

slaves 

taxable. 

Female 
slaves  .  ■ 
taxable. 

142 

33 

32 

81 

15 

16 

104 

12 

9 

98 

10 

10 

33 

1 

1 

66 

29 

5 

9 

2 


A  letter  from  "William  McRride,  Esq.,  directed  to  the  Chairman  and  gen- 
tlemen of  the  Committee  in  Rowan  County,  being  read,  ordered  that  the  letter 
lie  on  the  table  for  consideration  one  hour.     On  motion, 

Eesolved,  That  when  a  creditor  makes  it  appear  on  oath  that  he  hath,  by 
advertising  or  otherwise,  given  sufficient  notice  to  his  debtor  or  debtors  for 
all  sums  under  five  pounds,  to  come  in  and  make  payment,  or  give  sufficient 
security  for  the  same  :  and  it  appearing  that  the  debtor  or  debtors  refusing 
or  neglecting  to  comply,  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee  that  it  will  be 
sufficient  evidence  to  give  leave  to  bring  suits. 

The  order  of  the  day  being  read  for  taking  into  consideration  Mr.  McBride's 
letter. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Locke,  by  letter  addressed  to  him  and  the  people  up 
the  river,  inform  them  of  the  proceedings  of  last  Provincial  Congress. 

Pursuant  to  order  of  last  Committee,  Samuel  Lowrie  appeared. 

Resolved,  That  he  have  till  the  first  Tuesday  in  next  month  to  determine 
on  his  political  sentiments  relative  to  American  freedom,  and  that  he  appear 
before  the  Committee  at  that  time. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  several  militia  companies  who 
have  not  yet  cordially  embodied  themselves  and  chosen  officers,  to  adhere  as 
near  as  may  be  to  the  districts  prescribed  by  last  court-martial. 

Resolved,  That  the  several  militia  companies  in  this  county  be  sufficiently 
notified  by  their  old  officers  when  there  has  been  no  election,  and  by  their 
new  ones  when  they  are  appointed,  to  meet  some  day  before  the  next  Com- 
mittee to  sign  this  test,  appointed  by  Cimgress,  and  all  persons  neglecting  or 
refusing  to  sign  the  test  aforesaid  shall  be  noticed  by  one  of  the  officers  to 
appear  before  the  said  Committee  to  show  cause  for  such  refusal  or  neglect, 
and  return  the  test  signed  to  committee. 

A  petition  signed  by  twenty-two  members  of  the  South  Division,  of  Captain 
Berkley's  Company,  praying  a  new  election  of  officers,  being  proposed  and 
read. 

Resolved,  That  the  prayer  of  said  petition  be  granted. 

On  motion.  Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  of  this  Committee  provide  paper, 
write  certificates  (leaving  a  blank  for  the  date  and  bearer's  name),  for  such 
friends  of  liberty  who  may  apply  for  the  same ;  affix  the  Committee's  seal 
thereto  and  distribute  a  sufficient  number  amongst  Samuel  Young,  John  Bre- 
vard, John  Purviance,  ISIatthcw  Locke,  Charles  McDowell,  James  Smith, 
Christopher  Beekman,  Hugh  Montgomery,  John  Archibald,  who  shall  be  ac- 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  371 

countable  to  the  Secretary  for  the  sum  of  eight  pence  for  each  certificate, 
otherwise  return  the  same,  which  is  the  sum  allowed  the  Secretary  for  said 
service. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Samuel  Young,  John  Archibald,  John  Montgomery, 
Jonathan  Hunt,  Robert  King,  Matthew  Locke,  Samuel  Reed,  James  Smith 
and  William  Sharpe,  shall  attend  at  Mr.  Jonathan  Hunt's,  on  Tuesday,  the 
last  instant,  to  confer  with  the  inhabitants  of  the  Forks  of  the  Yadkin,  on  the 
subject  of  American  freedom. 

Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  of  this  Committee,  by  letter  addressed  to  the  ' 
several  Committees  of  Petersborough,  Cambletown,  Cheraw,  Georgetown, 
Camden,  and  Charlestown,  desiring  tliem  by  no  means  to  purchase  any  sort 
of  produce,  or  other  articles,  nor  sell  any  manner  of  article,  or  necessary  to 
any  person  or  persons,  from  the  county  of  Rowan,  unless  they  first  produce  a 
certificate  signed  by  the  Secretary,  and  impressed  with  the  seal  of  the  Com- 
mittee in  said  county. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Samuel  Young  have  leave  to  bring  suit  against  James 
Fitzpatrick,  debt  above  five  pounds. 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  Tuesday,  7th  of  next  month.  Minutes  read 
and  signed  by  order  of  Committee. 

SAMUEL  YOUNG,  Chairman. 

William  Sharpe,  Secretary. 

The  Committee  of  the  County  of  Rowan  met  7th  of  Nov.,  1775,  according 
to  adjournment.     Present, 

Mr.  Samuel  Young,  Ch'n,     John  Brevard,  John  Archibald, 

Griffith  Rutherford,  John  Loss,  Robert  King, 

Jonathan  Hunt,  Matthew  Locke,  William  Moore, 

David  Smith,  Jolm  Lewis  Beard,  Samuel  Reed, 

James  Smith,  Hugh  Montgomery,  John  Purviance, 

Josiah  Rouncifer,  William  Sharpe,  Alexander  Dobbins. 

John  Dickey,  Robert  Moore, 

Pursuant  to  resolve  of  last  Committee,  a  number  of  Captain  James  Smith's 
Company  being  cited  appeared,  three  of  whom  signed  the  test.  Ordered  that 
the  remainder  have  till  to-morrow  morning  to  consider  of  the  matter. 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  eight  o'clock. 

Wednesday,  Nov.  8th,  1775. 

The  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment. 

James  Hemphill  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against  Francis  Bishop,  debt  under 
five  pounds.  James  Hamilton  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against  Thomas  Bailie 
for  assault  and  battery. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Joseph  Hughes  be  admitted  to  the  same  privileges  as 
those  who  sign  the  test,  on  account  of  some  extraordinary  circumstances 
attending  him. 

Resolved,  That  all  suits  now  depending  in  the  Inferior  Court,  in  the  County 
of  Rowan,  ought  to  be  tried  as  soon  as  possible  ;  but  no  execution  issue  with- 
out leave. 

Resolved,  That  any  three  members  of  this  Committee  may  give  leave  to 
creditors  to  bring  suits  and  issue  orders,  to  detain  the  bodies  or  goods  of  such 
as  are  about  to  remove  out  of  the  county,  in  the  same  manner  as  this  Com- 
mittee could  do  when  constituted.  And  any  tiiree  members  proceeding  as 
aforesaid,  shall  make  due  return  in  writing  to  the  next  ensuing  Committee. 

Robert  AVilson  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against  William  Martin,  for  debt 
under  five  pounds.  William  Denltam,  agreeable  to  citation,  appeared  licfore 
the  bar  of  this  Committee,  to  render  an  account  of  his  political  sentiments 
relative  to  American  freedom.  Ordered  that  he  have  till  to-morrow  morning, 
at  eight  o'clock,  to  consider  of  the  matter,  and  that  he  then  appear  before  the 
Committee.  Mr.  James  Smith,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  set 
at  Colonel  Hunt's  the  last  of  last  month, 

Reports,  That  either  through  disaffection  to  American  measures,  or  want 


372  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

of  notice  or  neglect,  the  people  failed  to  appear,  -whereby  the  design  of  your 
Committee  is  prostrated. 

Jicaolved,  That  Mr.  John  Brevard,  John  Dickey,  Moses  Winsley  and  Hugh 
Brevard,  or  any  throe  of  them,  attend  at  Captain  "William  Davidson's,  on  tlie 
20th  instant,  to  see  that  the  company  of  minute  men,  whom  he  has  enlisted, 
are  embodied,  and  able  effective  men,  and  make  report  to  the  next  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Thomas  McGuire  raise  a  sufficient  guard  of  men,  and 
compel  the  appearance  of  Alexander  Allison  and  John  Hall,  before  this  Com- 
mittee, at  next  session,  to  render  an  account  of  their  political  sentiments  rela- 
tive to  American  freedom. 

Whereas,  William  Spur(ieon  and  Matthias  Sassinfield  continue  incorrigible 
enemies  to  American  measures  for  the  defence  of  their  freedom— 

Therefore  resolved.  That  Colonel  ]Martin  dispatch  two  officers,  with  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  soldiers,  and  take  the  bodies  of  the  said  Spurgeon  and  Sassin- 
field, and  them  or  either  of  them  bring  before  this  session  of  Committee,  or 
otherwise  have  them  confined  in  the  common  gaol  in  this  county,  until  the 
next  sitting  of  the  same.  Jacob  Beck  being  brought  to  the  bar  of  this  Com- 
mittee to  give  an  account  of  his  political  sentiments,  ordered  that  he  have 
till  to-morrow  morning  to  consider  the  matter,  and  Captain  David  Smith  is 
security  for  his  appearance. 

Adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  nine  o'clock. 

Tuesday,  Nov.  9th,  1775. 

The  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Dennis  Burgin  has  leave  to  take  possession  of  a  sufficient  quantity  of  the 
goods  of  Thomas  Bidwell  (who  has  absented  himself  from  this  county),  as 
security  for  a  debt  under  twenty  pounds. 

Resolced,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that  it  was  not  the  design 
of  the  Provincial  Congress  to  restrain  plaintifi"s  from  bringing  suits  for  tres- 
pass with  force  and  arms,  assaults,  batteries,  slanders,  and  such  like  torts  and 
injuries,  or  compel  the  plaintiff,  in  such  cases,  to  make  previous  application 
to  the  Committee.  We  do  therefore  allow  such  suits  to  be  commenced  and 
proceeded  upon  as  far  as  judgment  without  such  application. 

Resolved,  That  John  Bones  be  appointed  door-keeper  for  this  Committee, 
and  that  he  be  paid  by  the  members  thereof  three  shillings  per  day. 

Ordered,  that  Colonel  Adlai  Osborne  deliver  to  Colonel  Martin,  a  quarter 
cask  of  gunpowder,  and  fifty  pounds  of  lead,  out  of  the  public  magazine  of 
this  county,  and  take  a  receipt  for  the  same  in  behalf  of  this  Committee. 

Rei-olved,  That  Captain  David  Smith  have  leave  to  absent  himself  from  this 
Committee,  and  take  and  bring  back  the  body  of  Jacob  Beck,  who  failed  to 
appear  agreeable  to  the  order  of  the  day. 

Ordered,  that  Col.  Adlai  Osborne  deliver  Captain  David  Smith  one  pound  of 
powder  and  two  pounds  of  lead,  out  of  the  magazine,  and  take  his  receipt. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Dickson's  company  choose  proper  officers,  and 
return  their  names  to  next  Committee  for  approbation,  and  the  company  be 
subjected  to  the  officers  so  elected. 

Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  of  this  committee,  by  letter  addressed  to  Col. 
Andrew  Hunt,  James  Bryaus,  Jr.,  and  John  Johnston,  directing  them  to  adver- 
tise all  the  friends  of  American  Liberty  in  the  forks  of  Yadkin,  to  meet  at 
John  Johnston's  on  the  last  Friday  of  this  month,  to  elect  proper  officers  fur 
one  or  more  militia  companies ;  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  Col.  Ruther- 
ford to  attend  at  the  same  time,  to  render  all  the  friendly  services  in  his 
power  to  obtain  so  desirable  an  end. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Moses  Winsley  take  into  his  possession  the  gunpowder 
and  other  ammunition  in  the  hands  of  John  Work,  and  give  him  an  obliga- 
tion in  behalf  of  this  Cunimittee,  for  the  payment  of  the  same  at  the  price 
directed  by  Congress.  And  this  Committee  does  obligate  themselves  to  in- 
demnify Mr.  Winsley  for  the  same. 

ResfUvcd,  That  Colonel  llutherford,  Matthew  Locke,  Maxwell  Chambers, 
Matthew  Troy,  Samuel  Young,  James   Smith,  and  William  Nisbett,  be    a 


EOWAN  COUNTY.  373 

Committee  of  Secrecy,  Intelligence,  and  Observation  for  the  County  of  Rowan 
and  Town  of  Salisbury. 

A  letter  from  Benjamin  Booth  Boote,  dated  Charlestown,  October  31, 1775, 
directed  to  this  Committee,  purporting  that  the  General  Committee  of  Charles- 
town  has  offered  to  release  the  said  B.  Booth  Boote  and  John  Dunn,  Esq.,  on 
condition  that  the  said  Boote  and  Dunn  would  promise  to  observe  a  strict 
neutrality  with  respect  to  the  common  cause,  and  also  indemnify  the  persons 
most  active  in  sending  the  said  Boote  and  Dunn  into  South  Carolina ;  and 
further  purporting  that  said  Boote  and  Dunn  would  not  agree  to  the  latter 
condition  :  Also,  desiring  this  Committee  to  make  provision  for  his  family 
in  case  he  is  not  released — 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee,  that  the  resolve  of  the 
Provincial  Congress,  communicated  to  the  Committee  of  Intelligence  of  South 
Carolina,  respecting  said  B.  Booth  Boote,  should  be  observed.  That  the  con- 
dition mentioned  in  said  Boote's  letter  is  unnecessary,  since  this  Committee 
consider  the  honor  not  only  of  this  county,  but  the  Province  engaged  to  in- 
demnify those  who  conveyed  the  said  Boote  out  of  the  Province. 

Itesolved,  That  the  said  Boote's  family  be  provided  for  at  the  discretion  of 
the  Town  Committee  of  Salisbury. 

Ordered,  that  the  Secretary  of  this  Committee  certify  a  copy  of  the  afore- 
said letter  and  order  thereon,  and  direct  the  same  to  the  General  Committee 
in  Charlestown. 

A  letter  from  the  Hon.  Alexander  McCulloh,  Esq.,  dated  Halifax  County, 
September  28th,  1775,  directed  to  the  Chairman  of  this  Committee,  express- 
ing the  most  generous  sentiments  in  support  of  American  freedom,  and 
defending  himself  against  a  charge  of  undue  influence  on  the  minds  and 
conduct  of  Messrs.  Frohock  and  Kerr,  being  read — 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee  entertain  the  most  grateful  sense  of  the 
kindness  of  the  author  of  so  friendly  and  spirited  a  performance,  and  esteems 
Messrs.  Frohock  and  Kerr  nothing  the  less  on  account  of  the  calumny  of 
wicked  and  designing  persons. 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  nine  o'clock. 

Friday,  Nov.  10th,  1775. 

The  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Ordered,  that  Charles  Purviance  have  leave  to  bring  suit  against  John 
Olyphant ;  debt  under  £5. 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee  will  be  accountable  to  Mr.  Troy  for  twenty 
pounds  of  lead  at  lUt/.,  bought  by  Mr.  Osborne  in  behalf  of  this  Committee. 

Whereas,  by  virtue  of  sundry  executions,  the  Sheriff  has  executed  goods 
before  the  returns  to  November  Term,  and  the  same  still  remain  unsold — 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  have  leave  to  issue  orders  of  sale,  that  the  Sheriff 
may  sell  such  goods  as  were  under  execution  before  said  term. 

Ordered,  that  Nathaniel  Tenpenny  have  leave  to  get  execution  against 
Henry  Sibley,  Ilcrmon  Butner,  and  Isaac  Enocks. 

Captain  David  Smith  returned  with  the  body  of  Jacob  Beck  before  this 
Committee ;  from  his  notorious  contempt  of  this  Committee  and  opposition  to 
American  measures — 

Resolved,  That  he  be  immediately  committed  to  gaol,  and  that  the  Secretary 
draw  and  sign  his  mittimus  in  the  name  of  this  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  Samuel  Wilson  and  Samuel  Iloblis  have  leave  to  take  into 
their  possession  a  sufficient  quantity  of  the  effects  of  John  Chambers,  if  to  be 
found  in  this  county,  as  security  for  a  debt  of  £2  18^. 

Ordered,  that  Joseph  Irvin  have  leave  to  obtain  a  summons  from  a  magis- 
trate, to  cause  German  Baxter  to  appear  and  make  oath  what  part  of  the 
estate  of  Joshua  Todd  (who  is  out  of  the  county)  is  in  his  possession;  and 
Joseph  Irvin  may  take  the  same  into  his  possession  as  security  for  a  debt  of 
ten  pounds. 

Ordered,  that  Joseph  Irvin  have  leave  to  bring  suit  against  the  adminis- 
trators on  the  estate  of  llobort  Luckie,  deceased,  for  a  debt  of  X5  Gs.  od. 

Resolved,  That  the  Chairman  of  this  Committee,  by  letter  addressed  to  the 
Committee  of  Brunswick,  AV'ilmington,  and  Cross  Creek,  recommending  to 
them  to  use  every  endeavor  to  prevent  every  person  from  this,  or  the  neigh- 


374  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

boring  counties,  communicating  with  the  Governor,  or  traveling  that  way 
without  a  proper  permission. 

Resolved,  That  James  Carrall  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against  James  Brooks 
for  a  debt  under  £5. 

Resolved,  That  James  Irvin  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against  Abm.  Little 
for  a  debt  under  j£20. 

Col.  Martin  brought  Mathias  Sapinfield  to  the  bar  of  this  Committee,  and 
after  some  time  spent,  he  cheerfully  signed  the  Test,  professed  his  hearty 
approbation  of  the  American  measures,  and  also  signed  and  swore  to  the  same 
declaration  that  was  signed  and  sworn  by  John  Colson,  in  Provincial  Con- 
gress. 

Jacob  Beck  being  again  brought  to  the  Committee  bar,  cheerfully  signed 
and  swore  as  above. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Sassinfield  and  Beck  be  discharged  from  their  at- 
tendance on  this  Committee. 

Resolved,  That  it  be  recommended  to  Col.  Martin,  or  the  Commander  of  the 
regular  troops  in  the  District  of  Salisbury,  that  so  long  as  they  continue  in 
Rowan  County,  in  all  cases  of  impressments  of  horses  or  other  necessai-ies, 
that  application  be  first  made  to  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  or  any  three  mem- 
bers of  Committee. 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning,  nine  o'clock. 

Nov.  11th,  1775. 

The  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Robert  Latta  came  into  Committee,  and  acknowledged  the  receipt  of 
£14  ICU-.,  supposed  to  be  counterfeit,  from  Col.  Adlai  Osborne,  agreeable  to 
order  of  Committee. 

A  petition  was  preferred,  signed  by  eight  inhabitants  of  the  South  Fork  of 
Yadkin,  part  of  Capt.  Morrison's  company,  and  read. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  petition  and  order  of  the  last  Committee  be  con- 
tinued until  next  Committee  and  the  parties  appear. 

William  McBride  being  sent  for,  appeared  under  guard  at  the  bar  of  this 
Committee,  for  contempt  offered  to  the  same. 

Ordered,  that  he  be  reproved  in  the  name  of  this  Committee  by  Mr.  Chair- 
man. From  the  contradictory  and  equivocal  behavior  of  William  McBride 
before  this  Committee — 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  Committee  that  the  advertisement 
charging  Captain  Thomas  Whitson  with  falsehood,  &c.,  and  signed  William 
McBride,  is  a  false  and  scurrilous  performance,  and  the  author  thereof  ought 
to  be  treated  with  every  mark  of  disrespect. 

The  following  is  the  state  of  the  accounts  of  the  several  Militia  Compa- 
nies that  have  contributed  towards  defraying  the  contingent  expenses,  viz., 
paying  delegates,  &c. 

Ordered,  that  each  Militia  Company  as  soon  as  possible  pay  up  their  ar- 
rears, so  as  to  make  four  pounds  each,  agreeable  to  order  of  Committee,  and 
that  a  farther  tax  be  immediately  collected  of  sixpence  from  each  taxable, 
to  pay  delegates  for  going  to  Hillsborough,  and  other  small  contingencies. 

A  list  of  officers  nominated  by  this  Committee,  to  be  returned 
to  Provincial  Congress,  agreeable  to  resolve  of  Congress. 

Captai)is.—Jas.  Purviance,  Christ.  Beekman,  David  jCa]dwell,  Charles 
McDowell,  John  Harden,  John  Graham,  John  Work,  Jesse  Harris,  David 
Smith,  Patrick  Morrison,  George  H.  Barringer,  Rudolph  Conrod,  Jacob 
Eagle. 

Lieutenanis.— John  Purviance,  Wm.  Beekman,  Hugh  Hall,  AYm.  Pend- 
land,  George  Walker,  Francis  Ross.  William  Neil,  Benjamin  Davis,  Peter 
Frederick,  Walter  Sharpo,  Windel  Miller,  John  Sigman,  Henry  Miller. 

l:nsi(/ns.—^Vi]\\am  Waugh,  Bolser  Sigman,  John  Rosebrough,  John  Simp- 
son, Benjamin  Baker,  Paul  Cunningham  ;  Richard  Quick  and  John  Couger, 
commissions  made  out;  James  McGahey,  Henry  Fulwider,  John  Sigman,  B. 
Smith,  Evan  Davis. 

Alexander  Allison,  being  cited  before  this  Committee,  freely  signed  the 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  375 

Test  and  is  discharged,  Alexander  Osborne  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against 
Andrew  Allison  in  a  case  of  a  three  pound  Proc.  Bill  counterfeit.  Williaoi 
Franklin  being  in  prison  bounds  was  brought  to  the  bar  of  this  Committee, 
and  was  admitted  to  take  the  following  oath,  viz.  : — 

/,  William  Franklin,  do  freely  and  solemnly  swear  on  the  Holy  Evangelisf.f 
of  AlmiffJiiy  God,  that  I  will  not  take  up  arms  against  the  friends  of  Ama-ican 
Liberty;  nor  will  I  directly  or  indirectly  aid  or  assist,  comfort,  or  encourage  any 
person  opposing  in  any  manner  the  measures  pursuing  by  the  Americans  in  de- 
fence of  their  liberty. 

Resolved,  That  the  said  Wm.  Franklin  be  discharged  from  his  attendance 
on  this  Committee. 

Ordered  that  James  Fitzpatrick  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against  Daniel  Rusk 
for  a  debt  under  £20. 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  nine  o'clock.  Wednesday 
the  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment. 

Resolved,  That  Captain  Falls  and  Captain  Work  are  hereby  required  with- 
out delay,  and  immediately  to  demand  and  receive  of  James  Cook,  on  oath 
if  necessary,  all  the  gunpowder  and  other  ammunition  in  his  possession:  or 
by  him  lent  or  lodged  in  the  hands  of  any  other  person  or  place  :  and  in  case 
he  or  they  to  whom  it  is  lent,  or  in  whose  hands  it  is  lodged,  refuse  or  ne- 
glect to  deliver  the  same  immediately,  the  said  captains  are  hereby  required 
to  raise  a  sufficient  number  of  militia  to  take  the  powder  and  the  ammunition 
and  safely  convey  it  to  Salisbury,  and  also  to  take  the  body  of  the  said  Cook. 
and  all  others  opposing  the  delivery  of  the  said  powder,  and  him  or  them 
convey,  and  have  confined  in  the  common  jail  of  this  county,  until  further 
order  is  given  concerning  them.  And  this  Committee  doth  hereby  engage 
to  see  the  aforesaid  powder  paid  at  a  future  day. 

Ordered,  if  James  Cook  deliver  the  powder  without  being  brought  into  con- 
finement, that  he  be  notified  to  appear  before  the  next  Committee,  to  answer 
for  his  former  contempt  of  a  respectable  body  of  this  Committee. 

Ordered,  that  James  Garnon  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against  John  Robinson 
for  a  debt  under  £20. 

The  Committee  adjourned  one  hour.  Met  according  to  adjournment.  Or- 
dered, that  John  Mackie  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against  George  Russel  for 
debt  under  £20. 

John  Marrah  having  made  it  appear  on  oath  before  this  Committee,  that 
William  Roberts  is  indebted  to  him  the  sura  of  £9  10s.,  and  that  said 
Roberts  proposes  to  remove  himself  and  eS'ects  out  of  this  province, 

Resolved,  That  John  Marrah  has  leave  to  take  into  his  possession  efi'ects  of 
the  said  Roberts  equivalent  to  the  debt,  or  for  want  thereof,  the  body  of  the 
said  Roberts,  until  the  debt  is  paid,  or  sufficient  security  given  for  the  same. 
Whereas,  Messrs.  James  and  Thomas  Smith  have  made  it  appear  before  this 
Committee,  that  sundry  debtors  to  the  estate  of  Andrew  Smith,  deceased, 
after  being  properly  advertised,  have  failed  to  pay  or  give  security  for  their 
dues. 

Ordered,  that  James  and  Thomas  Smith  have  leave  to  bring  suit  against  all 
persons  so  advertised,  and  indebted  in  sums  not  exceeding  five  pounds. 

Resolved,  That  Mr.  Chairman,  Mr.  Sharp,  Mr.  King,  Mr.  Winslow,  Mr. 
Smith,  Mr.  Archibald,  be  a  Committee  to  answer  the  people  from  the  Forks 
of  the  Yadkin,  and  report  to-morrow  morning. 

Inasmuch  as  the  judgments  of  God  are  at  this  present  in  an  extraordinary 
manner  impending  over  this  province,  therefore. 

Resolved,  That  Monday,  the  14th  instant,  be  and  is  hereby  appointed  a  day 
of  public  fasting,  humiliation,  and  prayer  in  this  country.  And  it  is  recom- 
mended that  the  same  be  religiously  observed. 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  to-morrow  morning  at  nine  o'clock.  The 
Committee  met  according  to  adjournment. 

John  Orton  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against  Margaret  Johnston,  widow,  for 
a  debt  under  £5. 

Charles  Adams  has  leave  to  bring  suit  agninst  Michael  Wilson  for  a  debt 

33 


376  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

under  £20.    James  Weston  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against  William  Johnson 
for  a  debt  under  £5.  .  .         . , 

RemJved,  That  John  Lawrence  has  leave  to  bring  suit  against  Alexander 
Brown  in  a  case  concerning  base  gold. 

Ordered,  that  Richard  Johnston  has  leave  to  take  into  his  possession  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  the  effects  of  Peter  Kettle  as  security  for  a  debt  of 
£17  7s.,  said  debtor  having  absconded  himself. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  answer  the  people  in  Forks  of  the  Yadkin 
made  the  following  report: — 

Gentlemen— This  Committee,  with  singular  pleasure,  receive  the  assur- 
ances of  your  pacific  dispositions  towards  your  neighbors  and  countrymen  ; 
but  would  have  been  much  more  satisfied  had  your  names  been  sent  us  by 
Mr.  Brown  ;  that  we  might  have  distinguished  our  friends  from  our  enemies, 
and  afforded  that  protection  and  friendship  to  the  peaceable  they  have  a 
right  to  claim,  at  a  time  when  the  friends  of  American  liberty  in  these 
S'Tuthern  Colonies  are  determined,  by  the  assistance  of  Almighty  God,  at 
the  hazard  of  their  lives  and  foi  tunes,  to  quell  an  insurrection  of  the  black- 
est nature,  fomented  and  supported  by  the  arts  of  wicked  and  abandoned 
men,  in  the  very  bosom  of  this  County. 

Ordered,  that  the  above  answer  be  transmitted  to  the  people  in  the  Forks 
of  the  Yadkin,  who  have  declared  their  peaceable  disposition  to  this  Com- 
mittee, in  this  day  of  alarm. 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  Committee  in  course. 

SAMUEL  YOUNG,  Chairman. 

William  Sharpe,  Secretary. 

May  Ith,  1776. 

The  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment.  Present,  Samuel  Young, 
Chairman,  James  Smith,  G.  H.  Baringer,  Alexander  Dobbins,  Josiah  Roun- 
cifer,  John  Dickey,  Samuel  Reed,  Gilbraith  Falls,  William  Alexander,  John 
Purviance,  William  Sharpe,  Jonathan  Hunt,  Robert  Moore,  John  Archibald, 
John  Montgomery,  John  Sloan,  John  Lewis  Beard. 

A  petition  signed  by  thirty-seven  of  Captain  Work's  company,  praying  a 
nomination  of  other  officers  in  said  company,  or  otherwise  a  new  election, 
being  read, 

Resolced,  That  on  Saturday  the  11th  instant,  the  said  company,  commanded 
by  Captain  Work,  shall  meet  at  their  common  muster  ground  and  elect  pro- 
per officers  to  command  the  same  ;  and  it  is  recommended  that  the  said  com- 
pany, or  such  part  as  is  required,  hold  themselves  in  readiness  to  march  on 
the  snortest  notice,  in  case  of  an  invasion  in  this  province. 

Ordered,  That  Martin  Huckleberry  has  leave  to  take  into  his  possession  as 
much  of  the  goods  and  chattels  of  Thomas  Carris,  as  shall  be  equal  to  the 
sum  of  £G  9.9.  \ld.  due  to  him,  the  debtur  being  removed  out  of  the  province. 
Andrew  Shields  has  leave  to  take  into  his  possession  the  goods  and  chattels 
(if  Hugh  Cunningham,  absconded,  or  demand  a  hat  worth  40.9.,  assumed  by 
Thomas  McGuire  ;  the  whole  equal  to  £4  10s.,  and  as  security  for  said  debt. 

Samuel  Young  has  leave  to  retain  the  cash  due  to  Hugh  Cunningham, 
absconded  from  the  public,  as  a  satisfaction  for  a  debt  of  £3  16s.,  and,  if  an 
overplus,  deliver  it  to  Shields  to  indemnify  him. 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  to-morrow,  six  o'clock. 

May  8ih,  1776. 

The  Committee  met  according  to  adjournment.  A  letter  of  Colonel  Arm- 
strong, of  Surry,  to  this  Committee,  purporting  that  a  number  of  guns  were 
taken  during  tlie  expedition  from  the  inhabitants  of  Muddy  Creek,  in  said 
County,  by  the  officers  of  Rowan,  and  requiring  a  restoration  of  the  same. 

Resolved,  as  tiie  taking  originated  from  the  Committee  of  Safety,  together 
■with  a  subsequent  order  of  General  Court-martial,  at  Cross  Creek,  the  said 
guns  are  to  be  retained  until  further  order  be  given  thereon  by  the  Committee 
of  Safety.  Information  being  made,  that  Thomas  Haygains  has  lately  ex- 
pressed some  things  very  unfriendly  to  American  liberty;  therefore, 

Resoh-cd,  That  Captain  Wm.  Frohock  immediately  take  his  firearms,  if  any, 
and  cause   his  appearance  before  this  Couuiuttee   at  their  next  sitting,   to 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  377 

answer  such  things  as  shall  be  olijected  against  him,  and  have  then  and  there 
Joseph  Renchor  and  Benjamin  AVilgore,  evidences. 

Resolved,  in  case  our  delegates  return  from  Congress  without  having  made 
provision  of  gunpowder  for  this  County,  that  the  chairman  of  this  Com- 
mittee apply  to  some  of  the  neighboring  colonies  for  tive  hundred  weight  of 
powder  and  flints  in  proportion,  and  pledge  the  credit  of  this  Committee  for 
payment  of  the  same. 

A  letter  from  a  number  of  young  ladies  in  the  County,  directed  to  the 
chairman,  requesting  the  approbation  of  the  Committee  to  a  number  of  reso- 
lutions enclosed,  entered  into  and  signed  by  the  same  young  ladies,  being 
read. 

Resolved,  That  this  Committee  present  their  cordial  thanks  to  the  said 
young  ladies  for  so  spirited  a  performance;  look  upon  these  resolutions  to  be 
sensible  and  polite  ;  that  they  merit  the  honor  and  are  worthy  the  imitation 
of  every  young  lady  in  America. 

The  Committee  adjourned  till  Committee  in  course. 

SAMUEL  YOUNG,  Chairman. 

William  Sharpe,  Secretary. 

The  fate  of  Boote  and  Dunn,  alluded  to  in  the  foregoincr,  is  more 
exemplified  in  the  petition  herewith  presented,  procured  from  the 
archives  of  the  Historical  Society  at  the  University. 

They  never  returned  to  North  Carolina,  but,  after  the  war  was 
over,  settled  in  Florida. 

To  the  Honorable  Samuel  Ashe,  Esq.,  President,  and  to  the  Honorable  Members 
of  Council  now  in  Salisbury  assembled  : 

The  humble  remonstrance  of  John  Dunn  showeth, 

That  on  the  last  day  of  July,  in  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
seventy-five,  your  remonstrant,  in  consequence  of  a  premeditated  scheme  and 
combination  previously  entered  into  by  William  Kennon,  Adlai  Osborne, 
Samuel  Spencer,  and  others,  this  association  caused  your  remonstrant  to  be 
taken  into  custody  by  a  number  of  armed  persons,  who  were  first  illegally 
sworn  in  private  for  that  purpose,  and  by  force  was  compelled  from  his  own 
house  in  Salisbury,  to  the  house  of  Matthew  Lock,  Esq.,  where  he  was  de- 
tained many  hours  in  the  night  as  prisoner,  under  a  specious  pretext  that  some 
gentlemen  from  South  Carolina  were  desirous  of  seeing  him.  That  after 
some  time,  a  body  of  other  armed  men  arrived  from  the  Counties  of  Tryon 
and  Mecklenburg,  to  whom  your  remonstrant  was  delivered  over  in  custody, 
who  conveyed  him  to  Mecklenburg,  it  being  pretended  that  the  Committee  of 
that  county  were  desirous  to  examine  him  with  regard  to  some  matters  which 
should  be  by  them  inquired  into. 

That,  notwithstanding  the  importunities  and  earnest  solicitations  of  several 
gentlemen  from  Salisbury,  members  of  the  Committee  and  the  then  Council 
of  Safety,  who  ofi'ered  themselves  as  security,  and  to  be  bound  in  any  sum 
for  my  appearance  the  next  day  before  the  Committee  in  Salisbury  —  not- 
withstanding, I  was  forced  away  the  same  night  to  Charlotte,  where  we  ar- 
rived the  next  day,  and  having  petitioned  to  have  a  hearing  before  the  Com- 
mittee of  that  county,  which  was  likewise  refused,  and  an  armed  force  of 
about  sixty  horsemen  were  ordered  to  convey  me  to  Camden,  from  thence  to 
the  Congress  in  South  Carolina,  and  thence  to  Charles  Town,  where  your  re- 
monstrant hath  been  detained  a  prisoner  for  upwards  of  twelve  months,  con- 
trary to  every  principle  of  justice  and  humanity,  and  contrary  to  certain  re- 
solves of  the  General  Congress,  and  in  direct  viulation  of  those  rights  and 
privileges  which  Americans  contend  with  Great  Britain  for  at  this  time. 

Your  remonstrant  now  prays  that  you  would,  in  justice  to  liimself  and 
family,  who  have  sufi"ered  greatly  on  account  of  this  unwarrantable  and  arbi- 
trary treatment,  inquire  into  the  same,  your  remonstrant  being  desirous  to 
acquit  himself  of  those  false  and  groundless  charges  laid  against  him  previous 
to  any  oath  being  tendered  to  him.     In  order  to  satisfy  your  Honors  and  the 


378  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

world,  that  he  is  not  in  any  wise  guilty  of  such  matters  as  have  been  falsely 
suggested  or  alleged  against  him,  by  which  he  hopes  to  appear  in  a  different 
light  than  what  has  been  represented  of  him,  and  for  a  further  confirmation 
of  his  innocence,  your  remonstrant  is  ready  and  willing  to  be  interrogated, 
to  answer  on  oath,  if  the  Honorable  Board  thinks  it  necessary,  and  your  re- 
monstrant will  pray.  JOHN  DUNN. 
September  11,  1776. 

Sir — Pursuant  to  your  request  of  me,  I  have  drawn  up  the  following  state 
of  matters  and  facts  as  they  are  with  regard  to  my  person  being  seized  upon 
in  mv  own  province,  and  sent  prisoner  to  Charles  Town,  together  with  Mr. 
Benjamin  Boote,  where  I  now  am,  and  have  been  for  twelve  months,  wanting 
a  few  days. 

Some  time  about  the  last  of  August  or  beginning  of  September,  in  the  year 
1774,  and  previous  to  the  meeting  or  assembling  of  any  Congress  or  Committee 
in  any  of  the  southern  provinces,  or  their  having  entered  into  any  particular 
resolves  with  regard  to  the  general  laws  of   American  liberties,  so  far  as  at 
that  time  I  had  any  knowledge  of,  a  certain  William  Temple  Coles,  then  ma- 
gistrate, came  to  me  at  the  yard  in  Salisbury,  where  I  then  was  looking  over 
some  hands  who  were  there  at  work  for  me  about  making  of  bricks,  Mr.  Boote 
and  others  present.     Mr.  Coles  pulled  out  of  his  pocket  a  northern  newspaper, 
where  printed  I  do  not  recollect,  and  among  other  things  he  read  certain  re- 
solves or  protests  entered  into  by  the  people  of  New  York,  and  declaring  their 
disapprobation  to  the  measures  then  carrying  on  by  the  people  of  Boston,  &c., 
in  opposition  to  the  British  acts  of  Parliament,  touching  the  Tea  Act,  and 
other  acts.     That  as  soon  as  he  had  read  those  resolves,  he  seemed  to  approve 
of  them  very  much,  and  then  said  he  thought  it  very  necessary  and  becoming 
the  people  of  our  province,  especially  Crown-officers,  to  enter  into  such  like 
resolves,  or  resolves  similar  to  those,  and  then  prevailed  on  Mr.  Boote  to 
draw  up  something  of  that  nature.     That  in  a  few  days  after,  I  being  at  Mr. 
Cole's  house,  in  Salisbury,  Mr.  Boote  produced  a  paper  containing  a  declaration 
of  allegiance,  fidelity,  and  obedience  to  His  Majesty,  and  submission  to  the 
British  acts  of  Parliament  in  general,  &c.     That  this  paper  being  similar  to 
that  published  at  New  York,  it  was  approved  of  by  Mr.  Coles,  Mr.  Walter 
Lindsay  (who  also  was  magistrate)  and  myself,  and  was  then  signed  by  Mr. 
Lindsay,  Mr.  Boote,  and  myself,  and  I  believe,  one  person  more.     Mr.  Boote 
then  kept  the  paper,  and  it  was  then  concluded  upon  by  us,  not  to  offer  it  to 
any  other  person  to  be  signed,  neither  have  1  been  privy  to  its  being  signed, 
nor  no  copy  thereof,  by  any  other  person,  to  this  hour,  nor  have  I  made 
any  inquiry  about   it   since.     Shortly  afterwards,  I  being  at  Mecklenburg 
Court,  1  had  learned  that  Mr.  Avery  had  by  some  means  procured  a  copy  of 
Mr.  llol)inson,  a  schoolmaster  in  Salisbury,  who  had  copied  it  fair  from  the 
original  rough  draft.     I  was  also  told  that  Mr.  Avery  had  read  it  to  the  whole 
Presbyterian  congregation,  at  their  meeting  at  Mecklenburg.     I  being  asked 
at  that  court,  by  some  persons  who  showed  me  a  copy  (given,  I  presume,  by 
Mr.  Avery),  whether  or  no  1  knew  anything  of  it?  to  which  question  I  an- 
swered in  the  affirmative.     In  September  or  October  following,  and  on  a  day 
when  a  general  muster  was  held  in  Salisbury,  some  of  the  inhabitants  in 
Salisbury  and  adjacent  neighborhoods,  formed  themselves  into  a  Committee, 
and  amongst  other  matters  then  deliberated  and  considered  upon,  the  above 
paper  or  copy,  and  after  some  time,  it  was  (as  I  had  been  informed)  voted 
seditious,  libelous,  and  inflammatory,  &c.     1  heard  no  more  of  the  matter 
from  that  time  until  the  last  of  July  following,  which  was  almost  a  year, 
during  which  time  many  Committees  and  Councils  of  Safety  and  Commits 
tees  of  Intelligence  sat  in  Salisbury,  where  I  lived.     I  was  never  examined 
or  brought  to  any  account  before  them,  neither  had  I  to  this  day  been  asked 
to  associate  with  them,  nor  join  in  their  deliberations,  neither  have  I  ever 
seen  an  association  paper,  nor  do  I  believe  they  had  any  until  I  procured  one 
since  my  confinement  in  Charles  Town,  which  I  enclosed  to  them  as  a  pre- 
cedent to  adopt  another  by  it,  suitable  to  the  genius  of  the  back  inhabitants 
of  North  Carolina.     1  recollect  that  at  a  time  when  the  people  were  met  at 


ROWAN  COUNTY. 


379 


the  courthouse,  in  order  to  choose  new  different  Committees,  and  a  Council 
of  Safety,  my  assistance  was  asked  for  by  some  gentleman.  I  attended,  and  told 
I  could  not  act  myself  in  any  public  capacity,  from  mere  principle  and  mat- 
ter of  conscience,  have  at  divers  times,  and  on  many  occasions  before  then, 
taken  the  several  oaths  of  government,  as  also  being  then  the  sworn  and  acting 
attorney  for  the  Crown,  in  Rowan  County  Court,  as  also  a  notary-public  in 
the  province,  but  that  I  was  ready  at  any  time  to  assist  them  in  choosing  of 
fit  members  for  Committees,  and  proper  persons  to  attend  as  delegates  to 
serve  in  General  Congress,  and  assist  them  with  my  advice  or  opinion  upon  any 
special  occasion,  with  which  they  seemed  well  satisfied,  and  accordingly  1 
did,  which  gave  great  umbrage  to  a  certain  person  then  present,  he  having 
missed  being  elected  himself,  owing,  as  he  imagined,  to  ray  fault,  and 
wondered  what  right  I  had  to  interfere  in  the  matter,  and  swore,  as  -I  aiter- 
wards  was  told,  if  1  ever  came  there,  I  should  be  kicked  out  of  doors.  1  then 
desisted  from  concerning  myself  further,  either  on  the  one  side  or  the  other. 

On  Monday,  being  the  last  day  of  July,  or  the  first  day  of  August,  1775, 
beino- just  recovering  out  of  a  fit  of  sickness,  and  at  my  own  house  in  pahs- 
buryT  it  being  the  day  before  the  sitting  of  the  court,  as  also  the  meeting  of 
the  Committee  for  the  county,  I  being  busy  preparing  my  papers  relative 
to  the  Crown,  as  well  as  civil  business,  a  number  of  armed  persons  entered 
into  my  house,  and  after  having  seized  upon  my  person,  I  was  forced  away 
to  Lewis  Coffer's  house,  in  Salisbury,  and  in  a  few  minutes  I  saw  Mr.  Loote 
conducted  in  the  same  manner  to  the  same  house.  Shortly  afterwards, 
William  Kennon,  Attorney  at  Law,  and  Adlai  Osborne,  entered  the  room, 
and  they  being  asked  by  several  gentlemen,  merchants  and  others,  the  chief 
of  whom  were  members  of  the  Town  Committee  and  Council  of  Safety,  why 
we  were  restrained  from  our  liberty,  for  what  reason,  or  by  what  authority, 
or  whose  order  we  were  taken  into  custody?  Kennon  and  Osborne  seemed  to 
signify  it  was  the  desire  of  some  gentlemen  from  the  southward,  and  who 
were  then  waiting  at  Mr.  Lock's,  about  five  miles  from  town,  in  order  to  exa- 
mine us  with  regard  to  our  political  sentiments  with  regard  to  American 
laws  of  liberty,  &c.,  and  that  we  would  be  detained  but  a  few  minutes  before 
we  should  be  set  at  large  in  order  to  return  home.  Those  gentlemen  replied 
and  told  them  that  they  looked  upon  it  that  they  were  the  only  proper  judges 
of  our  conduct  on  those  occasions,  and  they  only  had  the  best  right  to  exa- 
mine into  these  affairs,  as  nothing  could  be  transacted  by  us  to  the  prejudice 
of  the  common  laws,  but  they,  of  course,  must  have  their  notice  thereof,  and 
reflected  very  much  on  the  arbitrary  conduct  of  those  busy  and  intermeddling 
men,  and  looked  upon  it  as  an  insult  offered  to  them,  and  prohibition  of  that 
liberty  which  Americans  in  general  were  then  contending  for  with  Great 
Britain. 

Notwithstanding  every  argument  which  could  be  offered  from  reason  and 
common  justice  by  xMessrs.  Troy,  Chambers,  JS'esbit,  Beard,  and  Little,  mem- 
bers of  the  Council  of  Safety,  and  Doctor  Anthony,  we  were  sent  off  under  a 
guard  of  men  whom  a  few  minutes  before  then,  those  two  conspirators  had 
had  out  into  the  woods.  They  caused  them  to  be  first  sworn  to  secrecy 
and  fidelity  (as  the  men  themselves  told  us  afterwards),  and  then  ordered 
them  to  take  us  into  safe  custody.  Thus  were  we  exposed  and  drove  to  Mr. 
Lock's  that  evening,  as  felons.  When  we  arrived  there,  I  saw  no  gentlemen 
from  the  southward  or  elsewhere,  but  there  we  were  kept  under  strong  guard 
until  about  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  at  which  time,  those  gentlemen  above 
mentioned,  who  went  Avith  us  to  learn  the  event  of  such  treatment,  grew  im- 
patient, and  proposed  entering  themselves  security  in  any  sum  of  money 
whatever,  so  far  as  their  respective  estates  were  worth,  for  our  appearance 
before  our  own  Committee  the  next  day,  who  were  then  to  meet  at  Salisbury, 
according  to  appointment,  and  if  any  such  matter  which  as  they  could  lay  to 
our  charge,  be  foirly  and  impartially  inquired  into,  but  all  to  no  purpose. 
In  the  meantime,  Mr.  Avery,  xMr.  Willis,  who  was  Kennon's  brothor-in-law, 
and  a  nc^ro  fellow,  were  sent  off  above  the  road  leading  to  Mecklenburg  and 
in  some  time  returned  with  near  thirty  or  forty  armed  men  from  Mecklen- 
burg and  Tryon  Counties,  who  were   engaged   in   the  same  manner,  pur: 


380  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

suant  to  an  unjust  scheme  and  plan  adopted  by  the  said  Kennon,  Osborne, 
Polk,  and  others,  a  few  days  before.  That  about  two  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
■wo  were  forced  away  from  Mr.  Lock's,  escorted  by  this  guard  to  Mecklen- 
burg Court  House,  where  we  arrived  in  the  evening  of  the  next  day.  The 
said  Kennon  and  Osborne  having  signified  that  the  Mecklenburg  Committee 
■would  examine  into  those  affixirs,  vce  made  application  to  Mr.  Polk  to  call 
upon  the  members  of  that  Committee,  many  of  whom  were  then  in  town,  and 
that  we  were  ready  to  answer  to  any  charge  that  any  one  could  accuse  us 
with,  and  would  give  them  any  reasonable  satisfaction,  with  regard  to  our 
conduct,  which  they  in  reason  could  expect  or  desire,  to  which  request  he 
seemed  to  have  some  thoughts  of  complying,  but,  instead  thereof,  the  next 
morning,  he,  at  the  head  of  about  sixty  hoi'semen,  all  armed,  signified  to  us 
that  we  were  to  be  sent  to  Camden  Jail,  in  South  Cai-olina,  and  accord- 
ingly, we  were  forced  to  comply.  From  Camden  we  -were  sent  to  the  Con- 
gress, and  from  thence  to  Charles  Town,  without  a  shift  of  any  kind  of  ap- 
parel, nor  a  shilling  in  our  pockets  to  buy  us  the  least  necessary  of  life,  and 
previous  to  any  examination,  trial,  or  Convention,  or  any  legal  or  just  charge, 
but  such  as  those  cruel  and  unjust  persecutors  pleased  to  suggest  in  order  to 
justify  their  conduct,  having  violated  of  principle,  honor,  justice,  and  humanity, 
and  even  one  of  the  established  maxims  and  rules  of  the  General  Congress 
before  that  time  made  and  directed  to  be  observed  throughout  the  "whole  con- 
tinent. And  now,  here  we  still  remain  prisoners,  in  exile  from  the  enjoy- 
ment and  society  of  our  wives,  children,  and  families,  "who  have  sufi'ered 
great  distress  and  hardships,  on  many  occasions,  contrary  to  every  principle 
of  humanity  and  Christian  virtue,  and  without  any  just  cause  whatever,  un- 
less it  be  to  gratify  the  malice  and  envy  of  wicked,  artful  and  designing  per- 
sons, who  in  order  to  gratify  their  own  ambition,  and  carry  their  pernicious 
and  wicked  designs  into  execution,  would  sacrifice  their  own  honor,  and  the 
repose  of  their  innocent  neighbors,  and  happiness  of  their  families,  to  answer 
their  pernicious  views.  It  has  been  proposed  to  us  several  months  ago,  by 
the  gentlemen  of  this  place,  that  if  we  would  release  those  men,  and  indemnify 
them  from  all  actions  or  causes  of  actions  arising  to  us  on  account  of  our 
sufferings,  we  should  be  released  and  permitted  to  go  home  to  our  families. 
As  to  myself,  I  answered  and  told  them  that  I  was  ready  and  willing  to  re- 
lease and  indemnify  every  person  belonging  to  any  Congress,  Committee,  or 
Council  of  Safety,  or  any  person  who  had  been  invested  to  act  in  any  wise  by 
any  authority  of  the  people,  but  those  who  had  treated  me  with  cruelty  and 
b'arbarity  in  an  arbitrary  and  unjustifiable  manner,  I  could  not,  injustice  to 
myself,  family,  and  fellow  subjects,  forgive.  Having  suffered  near  twelve 
months  false  imprisonment,  and  was  also  indebted  near  one  hundred 
pounds  procl.  money,  to  physicians  who  attended  my  son,  who  was  sent 
hither  with  a  certificate  by  the  gentlemen  of  Salisbury,  in  order  to  show  the 
falsity  of  the  ch-arge  laid  against  me,  he  being  sick  of  a  violent  fever  for  some 
■weeks,  exclusive  of  his  board  and  attendance,  and  keeping  his  horse,  as  also 
another  debt  owing  from  myself  to  the  doctor  who  attended  myself  when 
taken  with  the  yellow-jaunders  and  a  fever,  and  now  cannot  command  a  shil- 
ling to  pay  off  those  just  debts. 

Smith  Carolina. 

Jolin  Dunn,  Attorney  at  Law,  late  of  Salisbury  Town,  in  North  Caro- 
lina, personally  appeared  before  me,  the  subscriber,  one  of  the  Justices  as- 
signed to  keep  the  peace  for  the  district  of  Charles  Town,  and  being  first 
sworn  upon  the  Holy  Evangelists  of  Almighty  God,  deponeth  that  the  accu- 
sation wherewith  he  stands  charged  by  William  Kennon  and  Adlai  Osborne, 
Samuel  Spencer,  and  others,  of  and  concerning  his  being  inimical  to  Ameri- 
can liberties,  and  of  his  holding  of  correspondence  with  Gov.  Martin,  of 
North  Carolina,  and  other  government  officers,  and  acting  and  doing  other 
matters  and  tilings  to  the  prejudice  of  the  people  of  North  Carolina  in  par- 
ticular, and  America  in  general,  is  false,  and  without  foundation,  and  further 
deelareth  on  his  oath  aforesaid,  that  he  has  not  at  any  time  heretofore,  di- 
rectly or  indirectly,  Avrote  any  letter  or  letters  to  Gov.  Martin,  or  any  Crown 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  381 

officers,  or  througli  any  person  -whatever,  of  or  concerning  the  present  dis- 
putes between  Great  Britain  and  the  American  Colonies;  neither  was  he 
privy  to  any  letters  being  wrote  or  sent  by  other  persons  on  that  account ; 
neither  did  he  ever  write,  dictate,  or  cause  any  petition,  remonstrance,  plan, 
or  scheme,  either  for  himself  or  other  person  or  persons,  nor  has  he  at  any 
tinje  been  privy  to  any  combination  or  meeting  of  any  number  of  people 
whatever,  in  order  to  oppose  or  frustrate  the  views  or  designs  of  the  Ameri- 
cans;  neither  has  he  at  anytime  aided  or  assisted  in  any  of  the  above 
schemes,  nor  has  he  ever  been  solicited  by  any  person  or  more  on  that  head 
but  once  (which  he  then  positively  refused),  that  of  drawing  what  was  called 
a  petition,  and  would  not,  and  further  that  he  has  never  exhibited  nor  read 
to  others,  nor  even  so  much  as  carried  about  him  a  certain  paper  called  a  pro- 
test, nor  wrote  or  caused  to  be  wrote  any  copies  thereof,  nor  tendered  such  to 
be  signed  by  others  ;  neither  has  he  at  any  time  set  his  name  to  any  other 
paper,  remonstrant  or  petition,  other  than  the  paper  mentioned  in  the  fore- 
going state  of  facts  mentioned  in  this  paper  ;  but  whatever  his  private  opin- 
ion or  sentiments  may  be  with  regard  to  those  matters,  he  has  not  aided  at 
any  time,  directly  or  indirectly,  by  any  act  of  his  or  others  deeds,  to  the  pre-  . 
judice  of  the  common  laws. 

Sworn  and  subscribed  to  before  me,  this  27th  day  of  July,  1776. 


ROUTE  OF  THE  BRITISH  ARMT  THROUGH  THIS  COUNTY,  IX  THE  REVOLUTION GEXE- 

RAL  N.  GREENE  AT  SALISBURT,  1781. 

The  extracts  from  the  Journal  of  Lord  Cornwallis  (see  Lincoln  County)  will 
sfcow  the  march  of  the  British  army  from  the  first  of  February,  1781,  when 
they  crossed  the  Catawba  River,  to  the  7th  February,  when  he  crossed  the 
Yadkin  at  Shallow  Ford,  and  to  the  9th,  when  he  reached  Salem.  The  maps 
in  the  quarto  edition  of  Tarleton's  Campaigns  lay  down  the  topography  of  the 
country,  the  different  creeks,  roads,  and  rivers,  far  more  accurate  than  any 
modern  Atlas.  The  course  of  the  armies  of  both  sides  are  traced  with  great 
precision  and  accuracy.  • 

At  Torrence's,  where  Alfred  D.  Kerr  now  lives,  about  seven  miles  from  Beat- 
tie's  Ford,  Tarleton  and  his  light  horse  attacked,  about  two  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, a  p.arty  of  three  hundred  militia.  The  day  was  wet  and  rainy,  and  unfa- 
voi'able  to  the  use  of  firearms.  The  militia  retreated;  few  were  killed,  and 
none  taken.  The  militia  gave  the  British  one  fire,  by  which  seven  of  the  horse- 
men were  killed,  and  twenty  horses ;  they  then  broke  and  ran  in  all  direc- 
tions.* This  was  just  after  Tarleton's  defeat  at  the  Cowpens,  and  in  his 
Journal  he  vaunts  this  as  a  splendid  victory. f  But  a  cotemporaryj  writer  of 
the  British  side  says  "  that  this  is  Tarleton's  account.  But  a  British  ofiicer 
■who  rode  over  the  ground  not  long  after  the  action,  says  that  he  did  not  see 
ten  bodies  of  the  provincialists  in  the  whole." 

General  Greene  arrived  at  Salisltury  that  night.  His  prospects  and  his  feel- 
ings, and  the  generous  conduct  of  Mrs.  Steele,  will  be  found  in  her  biography. 
After  a  hasty  meal,  he  and  the  body  of  his  troops  passed  the  Yadkin,  at  the 
Trading  ford,  on  that  night  and  the  next  day  (the  2d  of  February^).  The 
light  horse  forded,  and  the  infantry  and  baggage  were  carried  over  in  flats. 
Here  a  direct  interposition  of  Divine  Providence  saved  Greene  and  the  Ameri- 
can army,  as  before  at  the  Catawba.  Flushed  with  hope,  and  burning  for  con- 
test, the  British,  after  the  death  of  Davidson,  and  the  dispersion  at  Torrence's, 
advanced  rapidly  on  Greene.  They  arrived  at  the  Trading  ford  at  midnight, 
on  the  2d  of  Fel^ruary.  Some  baggage  of  the  Americans,  and  wagons,  had 
yet  to  cross,  under  guard  of  some  riflemen.  The  advance  of  the  British  troops 
under  O'Hara,  attacked  them,  and  took  the  wagons ;  the  riflemen  retreated 
iinder  the  cover  of  night.  Greene  and  his  little  army  on  the  one  side  of  the 
Yadkin,  and  the  whole  body  of  British  on  the  other.  The  position  was  criti- 
cal ;  but  Heaven  was  propitious.  It  rained  hard  all  night,  and  the  river  be- 
came impassable.  Cornwallis  opened  a  furious  cannonade  upon  the  Ameri- 
cans across  the  Trading  ford. 

*  Tarleton's  Campaigns,  226.  t  Tarleton,  226.  t  Stedman,  ii.  329. 


382  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

The  surgeon  of  the  American  army,  Dr.  Read,  has  left  this  record  of  the 

6CGDG  t^^ 

"  At  a  little  distance  from  the  river  was  a  small  cabin,  in  which  General 
Greene  had  taken  up  his  quarters.  At  this  the  enemy  directed  their  fire, 
and  the  balls  rebounded  from  the  rocks  in  the  rear  of  it.  But  little  of  the 
roof  was  visible  to  the  enemy.  The  General  was  preparing  his  orders  for  j,he 
army,  and  his  dispatches  to  the  Congress.  In  a  short  time  the  balls  began  to 
strike  the  roof,  and  clapboards  were  flying  in  all  directions.  But  the  Gene- 
ral's pen  never  stopped,  only  when  a  new  visitor  arrived,  or  some  officer  for 
orders  ;  and  then  the  answer  was  given  with  calmness  and  precision,  and 
Greene  resumed  his  pen."* 

The  British  had  to  fall  back  to  Salisbury ;  while  Greene  proceeded  on  his 
retreat  to  Virginia.  Had  the  enemy  been  enabled  to  encounter  Greene  at 
this  time,  defeat  would  have  been  certain  to  Greene,  and  to  the  cause  of 
America  in  the  South. 

Connected  with  Rowan  and  this  deeply  exciting  period  of  her  history,  is 
the  name  of  Elizabeth  Steele,  who  was  distinguished  among  the  "Women  of 
the  Revolution,"  not  only  for  her  attachment  to  the  cause  of  America,  but 
for  her  prudence,  pietv,  and  virtue.  It  was  at  her  house,  in  the  evening  of 
the  1st  of  February,  1781,  that  "the  Fabius  of  America,"  General  Greene, 
after  riding  hard  all  day,  in  the  rain,  arrived,  "fatigued,  hungry,  alone,  and 
penniless,"  as  he  expressed  himself  to  Dr.  Read,  who  had  charge  of  the  sick 
and  wounded  prisoners  at  that  place.  Mrs.  Steele  heard  this,  and  the  fire  of 
patriotism  was  augmented  by  that  deep  sympathy  which  woman's  heart  ever 
feels  fur  distress.  Hardly  had  General  Greene  seated  himself  at  a  well-spread 
table,  before  a  cheerful  fire,  when  Mrs.  Steele  entered,  and  reminded  her  dis- 
tinguished guest  that  she  had  overheard  his  desponding  remark  to  Dr.  Read; 
she  drew  from  under  her  apron  two  small  bags  of  specie,  her  earnings  for 
years.  "Take  these,"  she  said,  "for  you  will  want  them  ;  I  can  do  without 
them."  "Never,"  says  his  biographer,  " did  relief  come  at  a  more  needy 
moment,"  and  the  hero  resumed  his  dangerous  journey  that  night,  with  a 
heart  lightened  by  woman's  kindness,  and  her  devotion  to  the  cause  of  her 
country."  Can  any  son  of  North  Carolina  read  such  an  occurrence  without 
feeling  his  blood  flow  in  more  rapid  currents  at  the  patriotism  of  Rowan  ? 
and  wherever  this  liberty  has  advanced,  let  the  self-sacrificing  act  of  this 
noble  woman  be  named  in  remembrance  of  her  ;  or,  may  we  not,  without  any 
impiety,  say  in  the  inspired  words  of  the  Scripture  :  "  Verily  I  say  unto  you, 
wheresoever  this  gospel  shall  be  preached  in  the  whole  world,  there  shall  also 
this,  that  this  woman  hath  done,  be  told  as  a  memorial  of  her."t 

On  the  wall  of  the  room  hung  a  portrait  of  George  III.,  which  had  been 
sent  as  a  present  from  England,  from  a  friend  at  court,  to  one  of  Mrs.  Steele's 
connections. 

Filled  with  the  mournful  recollection  of  the  sufferings  of  his  countrj',  and 
the  innocent  blood  that  even  that  day  had  been  spilled  by  the  myrmidons  of 
royalty,  General  Greene  took  it  from  the  wall  and  wrote  on  the  back:  "0 
George  !  hide  thy  face  and  mourn,"  and  replaced  it,  with  the  face  to  the  wall. 

This  picture,  with  the  writing  still  visible,  I  have  seen.  It  is  in  possession 
of  Governor  Swain,  at  Chapel  Hill.  The  recollection  of  the  events  of  this  pe- 
riod, and  the  circumstances,  caused  it  to  possess  a  deep  interest  to  my  mind. 

Mrs.  Steele  died  on  the  22d  of  November,  1790,  at  Salisbury.  She  was 
twice  married  ;  her  first  husband  was  a  Gillespie,  by  whom  she  had  a  daugh- 
ter, who  married  Rev.  Samuel  McCorkle  ;  and  a  son,  Richard  Gillespie,  who 
was  a  Captain  in  the  Revolution,  and  died  unmarried.  By  her  second  hus- 
band, William  Steele,  she  had  an  only  son. 

General  John  Steele,  who  was  born  in  Salisbury,  on  the  1st  November, 
1764.  He  was  educated  in  that  place,  and  commenced  life  a  merchant,  but 
soon  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which  he  was  skillful, 
prudent,  and  successful.  In  1787  he  appeared  in  public  life,  as  a  member  of 
the  House  of  Commons,  and  was  re-elected  in  1788. 

*  Dr.  Read's  letter  in  Johnson's  life  of  Greene,  vol.  i.  p.  418. 
t  Matthew,  xxvi.  43. 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  383 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  that  assembled  at  Hillsboro'  on  the 
21st  of  July,  1788,  to  consider  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and  with 
Johnston,  Davie,  and  Iredell,  made  active  but  ineffectual  efforts  in  its  defence. 

In  1790  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  first  Congress  under  the  Constitu- 
tion, from  the  Salisbury  district,  and  served  until  1793. 

In  1794  he  was  again  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and 
served,  with  some  intermissions,  until  1813,  of  which  he  was  often  speaker. 

On  the  removal  of  General  Davie  to  the  State  of  South  Carolina,  in  1806, 
General  Steele  succeeded  him  as  commissioner  for  North  Carolina,  to  adjust 
the  boundaries  between  the  two  States.  There  is  ample  documentary  evi- 
dence that  he  conducted  this  delicate,  protracted,  and  difficult  negotiation, 
with  consummate  ability  and  skill. 

He  was  appointed  by  General  Washington  first  Comptroller  of  the  Trea- 
sury, which  he  held  throughout  the  remainder  of  Washington's  and  John 
Adams'  administration,  and  resigned  in  1802,  in  opposition  to  the  earnest  and 
repeated  remonstrances  of  Mr.  Jefferson. 

On  the  14th  of  August,  1815,  he  was  again  elected  to  the  House  of  Com- 
mons, but  on  that  day  he  died. 

He  is  buried  at  his  residence,  now  the  seat  of  Archibald  Henderson,  Esq., 
near  town. 

He  married,  in  1783,  Mary  Nesfield,  who  survived  him  many  years,  and  by 
whom  he  left  three  daughters  :  Ann,  who  married  Gen.  Jesse  A.  Pearson  ; 
Margaret,  who  married  Dr.  Stephen  L.  Ferrand,  and  Eliza,  who  married  Col. 
Robert  MacNamara.     The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  tombstone : — 

On  the  West  side. 

In  the  memory  of 

General  John  Steele. 

Died  Aug.    14th,    1815, 

Age  50. 

Oft  the  East  side. 

Consecrated  by  Conjugal 

and 

Filial  Affection. 

An  enlightened  Statesman, 

A  vigilant  Patriot, 

An  accomplished  Gentleman. 

The  archives  of  the  country  testify  the  services  of  his  short  but  useful  life. 

Long  will  that  country  deplore  his  loss  ;  but  when  will  this 

sequestered  spot  cease  to  witness  the  sacred 

sorrow  of  his  family  and  friends. 


The  name  of  Griffith  Rutherford  is  associated  with  the  Revolutionary 
history  of  Rowan. 

We  regret  that  we  know  so  little  of  the  birth,  life,  services,  and  death  of  a 
man  so  distinguished  in  the  annals  of  the  State,  and  from  whom  so  large 
and  populous  a  county  derives  its  name. 

He  was  an  Irislmian  by  birth,  and  uncultivated  in  mind  or  manners,  but 
brave,  ardent,  and  patriotic. 

He  resided  west  of  Salisbury,  in  the  Locke  settlement,  and  represented 
Rowan  County  at  Newbern  in  1775. 

In  1776  he  commanded  an  army  of  two  thousand  four  hundred  men  to  sub- 
due the  "Over-hill"  Cherokee  Indians.  He  marched  to  the  territory,  de- 
stroyed thirtv-six  towns,  cut  up  their  standing  corn,  and  drove  off  their  cattle. 

The  Guilfo^rd  Regiment,  who  joined  General  Rutherford,  rendezvoused  at 
Martinsville  on  23d  July,  1776.  It  was  commanded  by  James  JMartin,  as 
Colonel,  and  John  Paisley,  as  Lieutenant-Colonel.  Rutherford  crossed  the 
Blue  Ridge  at  Swannanoa  Gap,  and  passed  down  the  French  Broad,  and 
crossed  the  river  at  the  ford,  which  passes  to  this  day  by  the  name  of  the 
"  War  Ford,"  then  up  the  valley  of  Hominy  Creek,  then  crossing  Pigeon  to 


384  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

the  Tuclcascfe.  From  thence  they  crossed  the  Cowee  Mountain  to  the  Ten- 
nessee River?  In  the  valloj'  of  the  Tennessee  River  they  burned  the  Indian 
towns  of  "Watauf^a,  Estoctoa,  and  Ellajay.  Here,  on  the  14th  of  September, 
they  met  General  "Williamson,  with  troops,  from  South  Carolina,  who  had 
crossed  tlio  Blue  llidjie  at  the  sources  of  the  Tennessee  River.  In  his  march 
for  the  vallev  towns.  General  Williamson  was  attacked  in  a  narrow  pass  near  * 
the  present"  town  of  Franklin  by  a  body  of  Indians  in  ambush.  He  lost 
thirteen  men  killed  and  thirty  wounded.  The  Indians  were  routed  with 
preat  slaufrhter. 

Rutherford  lost  in  a  skirmish  at  Valley  Town,  Ellajay,  and  near  Franklin, 
three  men  ;  but  he  completely  subdued  the  Indians,  and,  turning  his  large 
stock  of  cattle,  which  he  had  for  subsistence  along  with  the  army,  on  their 
growing  crops,  destroyed  their  means,  and  with  his  troops  burned  their  towns.- 
He  returned  in  October,  and  at  Salisbury  disbanded  his  troops. 

The  uniform  of  the  officers  was  a  hunting-shirt  of  domestic,  trimmed  with 
colored  cotton  ;  the  arms  were  rifles. 

The  Rev.  James  Hall,  of  Iredell,  accompanied  this  expedition  as  chaplain, 
William  Lenoir,  of  A\^ilkes,  w\as  a  captain  in  this  expedition,  and  many 
others  of  our  hardy  sons  of  the  west  here  witnessed  their  first  essay  in  arms. 

On  the  22d  of  April,  1776,  he  was  appointed  Brigadier-General.  He  com- 
manded a  brigade  in  the  ill-fated  battle  of  Camden  (August,  1780),  and  was 
taken  prisoner  by  the  British.  W^hen  exchanged,  he  took  the  field,  and  com- 
manded at  Wilmington  when  that  place  was  evacuated  by  the  British. 

In  178G  he  was  Senator  from  Rowan,  and  soon  after  removed  to  Tennessee; 

The  Knoxville  Gazette  of  the  6th  of  September,  1794,  contains  the  foUow- 

"On  Monday  last  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Territory  commenced  their 
session  in  this  town.  General  Rutherford,  long  distinguished  for  his  ser- 
vices in  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina,  is  appointed  President  of  the 
Legislative  Council."  / 

Xorth  Carolina  and  Tennessee  have  preserved  his  name  by  calling  in  each 
State,  Counties  after  him. 


Hon.  Mattuew  Locke,  of  this  County,  was  an  early  and  devoted  friend  of 
the  rights  of  the  people.     He  was  born  in  1730. 

In  1771  he  was  selected  by  the  people,  with  Herman  Husbands,  to  receive 
the  fees  of  the  Sheriffs  and  Court  officers  of  the  Crown.  In  1775  he  was  a 
member  of  the  popular  Assembly,  and  in  1776  member  of  the  Congress  at 
Halifax  which  formed  the  Constitution. 

In  1703  to  1799  he  was  a  member  of  Congress,  and  was  succeeded  by  Hon. 
Archibald  Henderson.  He  died  in  1801.  He  married  the  daughter  of 
Richard  Brandon,  and  left  a  large  family,  now  chiefly  extinct  or  removed. 

He  had  four  sons  at  one  time  in  the  Revolutionary  AYar,  one  of  whom 
(George)  was  killed  by  the  British  near  Charlotte  in  1780. 


Hon.  Francis  Locke,  son  of  Francis,  the  hero  of  Ramsour's  Mill,  and 
nephew  of  the  above,  was  born  on  the  31st  of  October,  1766.  He  was 
elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  in  1803,  and  resigned  in  1814,  Avhen  he 
was  elected  a  Senator  in  Congress  in  1814-15.  He  never  married.  He  died 
in  January,  1823. 

Hon.  Sprite  ]\IcCay  resided  in  this  county.  He  was  educated  by  Rev. 
David  Caldwell,  appointed  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  and  Equity 
in  1790,  and  died  in  1S08. 

He  married  Fanny,  daughter  of  George  Richard  Henderson.  William  S. 
McCay,  of  Salisbury,  is  the  only  son  of  this  union. 

Hon.  James  Martix,  son  of  Colonel  Jamos  INIartin,  resided  for  many  years 
in  Salisbury.  He  was  elected  Senator  from  Rowan  County  in  1823,  and 
Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  in  1826,  and  resigned  in  1835.  He  married  Miss 
Alexander,  and  removed  to  Mobile,  Alabama,  where  he  died  a  few  years  ago. 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  385 

Hon.  George  Mumford  represented  this  County  in  1810  and  1811,  and  this 
District  in  Congress  in  1817,  and  died  at  Washington  City  in  1819,  while  in 
Congress. 


PEARSON  FAMILY. 


TliciiAioND  Pearson,  late  of  Davie,  when  it  Avas  Rowan,  was  born  in  Din- 
widdie  County,  Virginia,  in  1770,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  came  to  North 
Carolina  and  settled  in  the  forks  of  the  Yadkin. 

When  the  war  of  the  llevolution  broke  out  he  was  a  Lieutenant  in  Captain 
Bryan's  company  (afterwards  the  celebrated  Colonel  Bryan,  of  Tory  memory). 

After  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  at  the  first  muster  which  occurred, 
he  requested  some  in  whom  he  could  rely  to  load  their  guns.  When  Capt. 
Bryan  came  on  the  ground,  he  ordered  all  the  men  into  ranks.  Pearson 
refused,  and  tendered  his  commission  to  Bryan.  Bryan  ordered  him  under 
arrest.  This  was  resisted,  and  he  was  told  that  the  men  had  their  guns 
loaded.  Whereupon  they  came  to  a  parley,  and  it  was  agreed  by  the  crowd, 
as  matters  then  stood,  that  Bryan  and  Pearson,  on  a  day  fixed,  should  settle 
this  national  affair  by  a  f;iir  fist  fight,  and  whicliever  whipped,  the  company 
shcjuld  belong  to  the  side  of  the  conqueror.  Whig  or  Tory.  At  the  time  and 
place  the  parties  met,  and  the  Lieutenant  was  victor. 

From  this  time  the  Fork  company  was  for  liberty,  and  Bryan's  crowd,  on 
Dutchman's  Creek,  were  Loyalists.  The  anecdote  illustrates  by  what  slight 
circumstances  events  of  this  period  were  affected. 

When  Cornwallis  came  south,  Pearson,  with  his  company,  endeavored  to 
harass  his  advance.  lie  was  present  on  the  first  of  February,  1781,  when 
General  Davidson  fell,  and  witnessed  the  fall  of  that  brave  and  meritorious 
officer.  He  was  a  successful  merchant  and  enterprising  planter.  He  effect- 
ed the  navigation  of  the  Yadkin,  from  his  mills,  on  South  Yadkin,  to  the 
narrows,  and  from  thence,  by  land,  below  Grassy  Islands,  thence,  by  water, 
to  Sneedsboro',  which  was  then  a  rival  to  Cheraw.     He  died  in  1819. 

By  his  first  wife.  Miss  Hayden,-'  he  had  three  sons,  Jesse  A.  Pearson, 
Joseph  and  Richmond  Pearson,  and  Betsey,  who  married. 

Hon.  John  Stokes,  who  was  a  colonel  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  who 

lost  an  arm  in  the  aff'air  of  Buford's  defeat,  was  U.  S.  District  Judge,  and 
after  whom  Stokes  County  was  called ;  and  eldest  brother  of  the  late  Gover- 
nor Montford  Stokes. 

Jesse  A.  Pearson  was  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  in  the  House 
of  Commons  in  1808,  1809,  and  in  1813  and  1814,  from  Rowan.  He  marched 
in  1814,  as  colonel  of  a  regiment,  to  the  Creek  nation,  under  General  Joseph 
Graham,  and  was  afterwards  elected  Major-General  of  the  State. 

He  had  a  duel  with  General  Montford  Stokes  at  Mason's  old  field,  near 
Salisbury. 

He  married,  first,  a  daughter  of  General  John  Steele,  and,  second,  Mrs. 
Wilson,  whose  daughter,  by  a  former  husband,  married  Archibald  G.  Carter, 
Esq.,  of  Davie  County.     He  died  in  1823  without  issue. 

Hon.  Joseph:  Pearson,  who  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  in 
1804  and  1805,  from  Salisbury,  was  a  lawyer  by  profession.  He  was  mem- 
ber of  Congress  from  1809  to  1815. 

He  had  a  duel,  while  in  Congress,  with  Hon.  John  J.Jackson,  about  1811, 
on  political  grounds. 

He  died  at  Salisbury  on  the  27th  of  October,  1834. 

He  was  thrice  married.  By  his  first  wife,  Miss  M.  Linn,  he  had  no  issue  ; 
by  the  second,  Miss  Ellen  Brent,  ho  had  two  daughters,  one  the  wife  of  Ro- 
bert Wash,  of  Philadelphia,  the  other  wife  of  Lieut.  Farly,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy  ; 
and  by  the  third  wife  (iMiss  Worthiugton,  of  Georgetown),  he  left  four  chil- 
dren, one  of  whom  married  John  Jay. 

Richmond  married  Miss  McLinn.     He  was  never  in  public  life,  but  an 


386  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

active,  enterprising  man.  He,  with  George  Fisher  and  a  negro,  passed  the 
falls  of  the  Yadkin  in  a  boat — a  feat  never  performed  before,  or  since.  By 
his  second  wife.  Col.  Pearson  left 

1.  Sarah,  who  married  Isaac  Groom,  of  Alabama. 

2.  Eliia,  who  married  W.  G.  Bently,  of  Bladen. 

3.  Charles,  who  died  without  issue. 

4.  Hon.  RicnMO.VD  Mumford  Pearson,  now  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  North  Carolina,  who  was  born  in  June  1805,  educated  at  Statesville 
by  John  Mushat,  and  was  graduated  at  Chapel  Hill  in  June  1823.  Studied 
law  under  Judge  Henderson;  licensed  in  1826.  He  entered  public  life  in 
1829  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  Piowan,  and  continued 
until  1832;  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  in  1836,  and  trans- 
ferred to  the  Supreme  Court  in  1848,  which  elevated  position  he  now  occupies. 

5.  Giles  N.  Pearson,  who  was  by  profession  a  lawyer,  married  Miss  Ellis, 
and  died  in  1847,  leaving  a  wife  and  five  children. 

6.  John  Stokes  Pearson,  who  married  Miss  Beattie  in  Bladen  County,  died 
in  1848,  leaving  four  children. 

HON.  ARCHIBALD  HENDERSON 

Was  long  a  resident  and  representative  of  Salisbury,  one  of  her  brightest 
ornaments  and  distinguished  sons.  He  was  the  son  of  a  distinguished  father, 
late  Judge  Richard  Henderson  (for  whose  biography  see  Vol.  I.  116),  and 
was  born  in  Granville  County  7th  Aug.  1768,  and  was  educated  in  that 
county;  studied  law  with  Judge  Williams,  his  relative,  and  was  pronounced 
by  one  well  qualified  to  judge,  "the  most  perfect  model  of  a  lawyer  that  our 
bar  has  produced."* 

This  sketch  was  published  soon  after  Mr.  Henderson's  death,  by  one  who 
knew  him  well ;  and  as  it  is  far  more  accurate  than  anything  I  could  offer,  I 
here  present  it. 

"  I  became  acquainted  with  Archibald  Henderson  in  the  year  1803,  and  from 
that  time  to  the  time  of  his  death,  I  looked  to  him  as  a  model  of  that  perfect 
character  in  the  profession  of  the  law,  which  all  his  brethren  should  be  am- 
bitious to  imitate.  From  him,  judges  might  learn  wisdom  and  discretion, 
and  lawyers  the  dignity  of  their  profession  and  the  high  duties  which  it  im- 
poses. I  here  speak  only  of  his  professional  character;  that  which  he  exhi- 
bited to  his  country  for  more  than  twenty  years,  with  a  force  and  eifect  that 
ought  to  be  remembered  as  long  as  a  reverence  for  our  civil  institutions  shall 
be  cherished.  No  man  could  look  upon  him  without  pronouncing  him  one  of 
the  great  men  of  the  age.  The  impress  of  greatness  was  upon  his  counte- 
nance ;  not  that  greatness  which  is  the  oS"spring  of  any  single  talent,  or  mo- 
ral quality;  but  a  greatness  which  is  made  up  by  blending  the  faculties  of  a 
fine  intellect  with  exalted  moral  feelings.  Although  he  was  at  all  times  ac- 
cessible, and  entirely  free  from  austerity,  he  seemed  to  live  and  move  in  an 
atmosphere  of  dignity.  He  exacted  nothing  by  his  manner;  yet  all  ap- 
proached him  with  reverence,  and  left  him  with  respect.  The  little  quarrels 
and  contests  of  men  were  beneath  him ;  their  bickerings,  their  envyings,  their 
slanderings,  and  all  the  workings  of  their  little  passions,  kept  at  a  distance 
from  him;  and  I  have  often  seen  him  discomfited  at  the  bar,  when  contend- 
ing for  his  clients,  in  cases  where  the  little  passions  only,  had  play.  His 
was  the  region  of  high  sentiment;  and  there  he  occupied  a  standing  that 
was  pre-eminent  in  North  Carolina.  He  contributed  more  than  any  man, 
since  the  time  of  General  Davie  and  Alfred  Moore,  to  give  character  to  the 
bar  of  the  State,  and  to  impress  upon  the  people  a  reverence  for  their  Courts 
of  Justice.  His  career  at  the  bar  has  become  identified  with  the  history  of 
North  Carolina;  and  his  life  and  his  example  furnish  themes  for  instruction 
to  gentlemen  of  tlie  bench  and  to  his  brethren  of  the  bar.  May  they  study 
his  life  and  profit  by  his  example  ! 

"The  Constitution  and  jurisprudence  of  his  country  were  his  favorite  stu- 

•  Judge  A.  D.  Murphy,  (Oralion  at  Chapel  Hill,  1S27.) 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  387 

dies.  Profound  reflection  had  generalized  his  ideas,  and  given  to  his  political 
and  legal  learning  a  scientific  cast.  No  man  of  the  age  better  understood 
the  theory  of  our  government;  no  man  more  admired  it;  and  no  man  gave 
more  practical  proofs  of  his  admiration.  The  sublime  idea  that  he  lived  un- 
der a  government  of  laws,  -was  forever  uppermost  in  his  mind,  and  seemed  to 
give  a  coloring  to  all  his  actions.  As  he  acknowledged  no  dominion  but  that 
of  the  laws,  he  bowed  with  reverence  to  their  authority,  and  taught  obedience 
no  less  by  his  example  than  by  his  precept.  To  the  humblest  officer  of  jus- 
tice, he  was  respectful ;  the  vices  of  private  character  were  overlooked,  when 
the  individual  stood  before  him  clothed  with  judicial  authority.  In  the 
county  courts,  when  the  justices  of  the  peace  administered  the  law,  he  was 
no  less  respectful  in  his  deportment  and  submission  to  their  decisions,  than 
in  the  highest  tribunal  of  the  State.  lie  considered  obedience  to  the  laws  to 
be  the  first  dut}'  of  a  citizen ;  and  it  seemed  to  bo  the  great  object  of  his  pro- 
fessional life,  to  inculcate  a  sense  of  this  duty,  and  to  give  to  the  administra- 
tion of  the  laws  an  impressive  character.  To  understand  his  character,  and 
profit  by  that  understanding,  we  should  consider  it  first  in  its  relation  to  the 
court ;  and,  secondly,  in  its  relation  to  the  bar. 

"  1.  In  its  relation  to  the  Court. — In  North  Carolina  the  courts  of  justice 
are  the  principal  schools  of  instruction  to  the  people.  The  discussions  which 
there  take  place,  and  the  contestations  which  are  there  carried  on,  and  lis- 
tened to  with  eagerness,  by  people  who  attend,  sharpen  their  understandings, 
and  improve  their  general  stock  of  knowledge ;  while  the  lashings  which  vice 
receives,  and  the  praise  and  commendation  given  to  virtue,  make  moral  im- 
pressions of  the  most  salutary  kind.  There  is  taught  the  great  lesson  of 
obedience  to  the  laws,  and  of  reverence  for  their  administration.  The  men 
who  administer  the  law  in  courts  of  justice,  act  under  a  responsibility  that 
is  not  often  appreciated.  Neither  a  judge  nor  a  lawyer  should  ever  enter  a 
court  of  justice  without  a  due  sense  of  this  responsibility  ;  and  when  there, 
each  should  act  his  part  with  decorum  and  firmness.  The  duties  of  each  are 
well  defined  ;  the  rights  of  each  well  ascertained.  No  man  understood  the 
one  or  the  other  better  than  Archibald  Henderson.  To  inspire  a  reverence 
for  the  laws,  an  impression  must  be  made  and  continually  enforced  by  every- 
thing that  passes,  that  they  are  administered  with  purity,  without  favor,  pas- 
sion, or  caprice;  and  as  to  the  criminal  law,  that  it  is  administered  in  mercy. 
Whatever  may  be  the  character  of  the  judge,  this  impression  cannot  be  made 
and  enforced  without  the  aid  of  the  bar.  The  lawyers  are  the  pillars  which 
support  the  respectability  and  authority  of  the  judge.  A  conviction  of  this 
truth  regulated  3Ir.  Henderson's  conduct  to  the  court. 

"  He  often  said  he  had  known  but  few  men  who  were  suited  for  the  bench  : 
he  had  known  many  good  lawyers,  and  but  few  good  judges.  There  were 
so  many  qualifications  requisite  for  a  good  judge,  that  they  were  rarely  found 
combined.  At  the  head  of  these  qualifications,  legal  learning  is  generally 
placed,  and  is  chiefly  looked  to  in  making  appointments  to  the  bench.  Mr. 
Henderson  was  of  opinion  that  good  common  sense  and  discretion  of  mind 
were  the  first  qualifications ;  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  mankind,  and 
particularly  with  the  middle  and  lower  classes  of  people,  their  passions,  feel- 
ings, prejudices,  modes  of  thinking,  and  motives  of  action,  was  the  second; 
a  good  moral  character,  with  chastened  feelings  and  subdued  passions,  the 
third;  independence  of  mind  and  energy  of  will,  the  fourth;  and  legal  learn- 
ing, the  fifth.  For  this  reason,  he  thought  it  unwise  to  appoint  young  men 
to  the  bench,  let  their  legal  acquirements  be  ever  so  great;  or  men  advanced 
in  years,  who  were  either  too  proud  or  too  indolent  to  mix  with  the  great 
mass  of  the  people,  whose  society  is  the  school  of  that  common  sense  and 
sound  discretion,  so  necessary  in  a  judge;  and  the  want  of  which  makes  the 
administration  of  the  laws  fall  most  heavy  upon  the  lower  classes  of  the  peo- 
ple, where  it  ought  to  be  the  lightest.  This  is  most  severely  felt  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  criminal  law,  where  the  obscurity  of  the  individual  excites 
no  interest  in  his  favor,  and  the  ignorance  of  the  judge  of  his  character,  his 
education,  his  passions,  prejudices,  and  motives  of  action,  subjects  him  to  a 
punishment  which  he  does  not  deserve.    It  is  on  this  account  that  the  obt-cuio 


388  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

and  humlile  in  life  have  peculiar  claims  upon  the  sympathy  of  the  bar:  and 
my  bosom  has  often  swelled  with  emotion  when  I  have  witnessed  the  efforts 
of  Mr.  Henderson  in  their  favor. 

"The  want  of  this  common  sense  and  discretion  of  mind  is  most  commonly 
perceived  in  the  infliction  of  punishments;  in  imposing  unreasonable  fines, 
and  in  inflicting  imprisonment  where  there  is  no  depravity  of  heart.  Upon 
this  subject  Mr.  Henderson  entertained  the  opinion,  that  imprisonment,  in 
our  o-overnment,  was  a  punishment  so  infamous,  that  it  should  be  inflicted 
but  seldom,  except  for  offences  growing  out  of  the  depravity  of  the  heart; 
that  it  ought  never  to  be  inflicted  for  offences  proceeding  from  the  ordinary 
passions  of  our  nature:  that  these  were  weaknesses,  rather  than^ crimes. 

"The  history  of  North  Carolina  furnishes  no  instance  of  direct  corruption 
on  the  bench;  yet  there  is  a  weakness  in  human  nature,  from  which  the  best 
of  men  is  sometimes  not  free,  and  which,  when  it  finds  its  way  to  the  bench, 
is  attended,  perhaps,  with  worse  consequences  than  direct  corruption.  It  is 
that  weakness  in  a  judge,  which  induces  him  to  lean  upon  a  particular  law- 
yer, a  weakness  of  which  the  judge  himself  is  often  unconscious,  but  which 
is  soon  perceived  and  felt  by  the  bar  and  the  people.  There  is  no  weakness 
in  a  judge  so  much  to  be  deplored  as  this;  inasmuch  as  it  not  only  leads  to 
error,  but  gives  to  the  particular  lawyer  an  improper  advantage  over  his  breth- 
ren, and  subverts  the  reverence  of  the  people  for  the  court.  It  is  a  weakness 
infinitely  worse  than  favoritism  to  particular  men  who  are  parties  in  suits ; 
for  favoritism  may  be  disguised,  but  leaning  upon  a  lawyer  is  obvious  to  all 
who  attend  court.  Mr.  Henderson's  great^character  at  the  bar,  his  acknow- 
ledged legal  learning,  his  known  candor,  all  conspired  to  make  him  the  object 
of  this  weakness ;  and  I  have  seen  him  more  than  once  shake  off  a  judge  who 
wished  to  lean  on  him.  He  scorned  to  help  his  client's  cause  by  favoring  a 
weakness  which,  in  the  judgment  of  common  people,  pollutes  the  streams  of 
justice  as  much  as  downright  corruption.  He  entertained  the  most  profound 
contempt  for  that  class  of  men,  who,  being  appointed  to  the  bench,  are  fond 
of  displaying  the  powers  of  their  ofiicial  stations,  "  cutting  capers^'  as  the  vul- 
gar call  it.  Those  men  generally  claim  a  consequence  to  which  they  are  not 
entitled,  and  seek  to  operate  on  the  fears  of  the  bar  and  the  people,  instead 
of  trying  to  gain  their  respect  and  reverence  ;  commit  men  to  jail  for  imagi- 
nary contempt,  and  treat  with  insolence  bystanders,  parties,  and  witnesses. 
Mr.  Henderson  detested  judicial  insolence  as  much  as  he  abhorred  judicial 
tyranny,  and  delighted  to  dwell  upon  an  anecdote  of  the  late  Judge  Wilds, 
of  South  Carolina,  who,  upon  calling  a  cause  for  trial  and  learning  that  a 
material  witness  of  one  of  the  parties  was  intoxicated  and  unable  to  give 
testimony,  with  a  benevolence  and  good  nature  that  adorned  him,  adjourned 
the  trial  until  the  witness  could  become  sober.  Some  men  that  I  have  seen 
on  the  bench,  would  have  committed  the  witness  to  jail.  These  men  do  not 
know  the  difference  between  inspiring  terror  and  inspiring  respect.  It  is 
beneath  the  dignity  of  the  court,  and  unworthy  of  the  spirit  of  our  institu- 
tions, to  address  a  freeman's ^ears.  Nobler  motives  should  govern  him,  and 
nobler  passions  should  be  addressed,  to  bring  him  back  to  his  duty,  if  he  go 
astray.  There  is  no  disposition  in  the  people  of  North  Carolina  to  treat  their 
oflicers  of  justice  with  disrespect.  They  are  obedient  to  the  laws,  and  delight 
to  cherish  a  respect  for  men  in  authority.  This  disposition  on  their  part 
should  never  meet  with  anything  that  savored  of  judicial  insolence.  There 
is  a  dignity  of  deportment  which  becomes  the  majesty  of  the  laws,  and  that 
dignity  every  judge  should  strive  to  acquire,  and  uniformly  exhibit  it  when 
discharging  his  official  duties.  That  dignity  so  necessary  on  the  bench,  and 
so  influential  and  impressive  at  the  bar,  Mr.  Henderson  possessed  in  a  pre- 
eminent degree.  He  displayed  it  in  the  lowest  as  much  as  in  the  highest 
courts  of  tlie  State;  and  the  humblest  magistrate,  as  well  as  the  highest 
judge,  felt  himself  honored  and  sustained  by  his  decorum  and  respectful  be- 
havior. But  if  his  conduct  to  the  court  was  exemplary,  his  conduct  to  hig 
brethren  of  the  bar  was  still  more  so.  To  them  all  he  was  kind  and  indul- 
gent; to  the  young  men  of  tlie  profession,  who  did  not  stand  aloof  from  him, 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  389 

he  "was  literally  a  fiither,  encouraging  them  to  persevere,  advising  them  as  to 
their  course  of  studies,  instructing  them  and  aiding  them  in  the  management 
of  their  causes.  Some  stood  in  awe  of  him  and  seldom  approached  him  ;  his 
age,  his  venerable  appearance,  his  majesty  of  character,  seemed  to  intimidate 
them  and  keep  them  at  a  distance.  He  was  conscious  of  his  high  standing, 
and  never  committed  himself,  nor  put  his  reputation  at  risk.  He  always 
came  to  the  trial  of  his  causes  well  prepared  ;  and  if  the  state  of  his  health 
or  his  want  of  preparation  seemed  likely  to  jeopardize  his  reputation  in  the 
management  of  his  client's  cause,  he  would  decline  the  trial  until  a  more 
favorable  time.  The  courts  in  which  he  practiced,  and  his  brother  lawyers, 
understood  the  delicacy  of  his  feelings  upon  this  point  so  well,  that  they  ex- 
tended to  him  the  indulgence  he  required ;  and  a  knowledge  of  this  part  of 
his  character  gave  confidence  to  his  clients,  and  attracted  crowds  of  people  to 
hear  his  speeches.  When  he  rose  at  the  bar,  no  one  expected  to  hear  com- 
mon-place xnatter  ;  no  one  looked  for  a  cold,  vapid,  or  phlegmatic  harangue. 
His  great  excellence  as  a  speaker  consisted  in  an  earnestness  and  dignity  of 
manner,  and  strong  powers  of  reasoning.  He  seized  one  or  two  strong  points, 
and  these  he  illustrated  and  enforced.  He  avoided  refinement  in  argument, 
both  to  the  court  and  to  the  jury.  His  exordium  was  generally  short,  and 
always  appropriate.  He  despised  the  apologetic  exordium  so  fashionable 
with  some  speakers;  an  exordium  that  suits  one  case  as  well  as  another,  and 
never  fails,  when  persevered  in,  to  make  the  speaker  appear  ridiculous.  He 
quickly  marched  up  to  the  great  point  in  controversy,  making  no  manoeuvre 
as  if  he  were  afraid  to  approach  it,  or  was  desirous  of  attacking  it  by  surprise. 
The  confidence  he  exhibited  of  success,  he  gradually  imparted  to  his  hearers  ; 
he  grew  more  warm  and  earnest  as  he  advanced  in  his  argument,  and  seizing 
the  critical  moment  for  enforcing  conviction,  he  brought  forth  his  main  argu- 
ment, pressed  it  home,  and  quickly  sat  down.  In  great  causes,  his  eloquence 
and  manner  were  irresistible.  He  despised  long  speeches,  and  abhorred 
petty  altercation  and  wrangling  at  the  bar.  The  great  object  of  his  profes- 
sional life,  as  has  been  before  stated,  was  to  inspire  a  reverence  for  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  laws.  Nothing  detracts  more  from  this  reverence,  than  a 
want  of  dignity  in  the  gentlemen  of  the  bar.  Altercation  and  wrangling  are 
the  reverse  of  dignity ;  and  although  they  gratify  the  appetites  of  vulgar 
clients,  they  are  a  reproach  upon  the  lawyers  who  indulge  in  them,  and  upon 
the  court  that  tolerates  them.  Instead  of  being  a  tribunal  for  the  exalted 
and  sacred  purpose  of  administering  justice,  the  court  becomes  an  arena  into 
which  the  lawyers  descend  to  wield  the  weapons  of  little  and  contemptible 
passions.  They  ought,  upon  all  occasions,  to  bear  in  mind,  that  they  are 
oflicers  of  justice,  and  that  upon  them,  more  than  any  other  class  of  society, 
is  imposed  the  high  duty  of  impressing  upon  the  community  a  reverence  for 
the  laws,  and  for  the  courts  in  which  those  laws  are  administered. 

"  There  was  one  trait  in  Mr.  Henderson's  manner  of  conducting  a  cause  in 
court,  which  I  greatly  admired;  it  was  his  manner  of  examining  witnesses. 
He  was  as  polite  and  decorous  to  them  as  to  the  court.  He  asked  no  un- 
necessary questions,  and  every  witness  that  came  into  court,  felt  a  confidence 
that  from  him  he  should  receive  no  insolent  or  impertinent  treatment.  He 
disliked  excessively  the  never  ending  interrogatories  that  are  frequently  put 
to  witnesses;  and  he  disliked  still  more  the  noisy  and  boisterous  manner  in 
which  these  interrogatories  are  sometimes  put.  He  said  this  manner  was  not 
only  undignified,  and  had  a  tendency  to  lessen  the  respect  of  the  people  for 
their  courts,  but  that  it  often  prevented  the  course  of  justice  by  intimidating 
witncssess,  and  thereby  either  suppressing  material  facts,  or  giving  them  an 
improper  coloring. 

"As  he  advanced  in  life,  he  seemed  more  and  more  anxious  that  the  laws 
should  be  interpreted  and  administered  by  the  rules  of  common  sense.  He, 
in  a  great  degree,  lost  his  reverence  for  artificial  rules.  He  said  the  laws 
were  made  for  the  people,  and  they  should  be  interpreted  and  administered 
by  rules  which  they  understood,  whenever  it  was  practicable.  That  com- 
mon sense  belonged  to  the  people  in  a  higher  degree  than  to  learned  men, 


390  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

and  that  to  interpret  Iq.-W8  by  rules  -which  were  at  variance  with  the  rules 
of  common  sense,  necessarily  lessened  the  respect  of  the  people  for  the  laws  ; 
induced  them  to  believe,  that  courts  and  lawyers  contrived  unintelligible 
mysteries  in  the  science,  merely  for  the  purpose  of  supporting  the  profes- 
sion of  lawyers.  He  said  the  rules  of  pedantry  did  not  suit  this  country 
nor  this  age;  that  common  sense  had  acquired  dominion  in  politics  and  re- 
ligion, and  was  fast  acquiring  an  absolute  dominion  in  the  law.  That 
judges  and  lawyers  should  have  the  independence  and  magnanimity  to  strip 
off  the  veil  of  mystery  from  every  branch  of  the  law,  and  root  out  all  the 
remains  of  a  ridiculous  pedantry,  simplify  the  science,  and  make  it  intelligi- 
ble, as  far  as  possible,  to  the  understanding  of  the  common  people. 

"In  his  professional  character,  Mr.  Henderson  resembled  the  late  Mr.  Jen- 
kins AVhitesides,  of  Tennessee,  more  than  any  man  I  have  seen.  Each  stood 
at  the  head  of  the  bar  of  his  respective  State ;  they  were  about  the  same  age, 
and  size — both  large  men — they  died  about  the  same  time ;  and  those  who 
know  how  to  appreciate  the  usefulness  of  such  men  in  professional  life,  will 
long  remember  their  example,  and  regret  their  death. 

"  The  respect  and  affection  which  a  long  and  intimate  acquaintance  with 
Mr.  Henderson  produced  and  cherished,  has  induced  me  to  write  this  account 
of  his  professional  character.  I  hope  the  brethren  of  the  bar  in  the  western 
part  of  this  State  will  erect  a  monument  to  his  memory  that  shall  perpetuate 
his  name  long  after  this  humble  tribute  of  his  friend  shall  be  forgotten.  I 
did  not  sit  down  to  write  a  memoir  of  his  life,  nor  to  exhibit  his  private  vir- 
tues.    Some  more  able  hand  will  do  justice  to  his  private  character." 

He  represented  this  District  in  Congress  in  1799  to  1803,  and  represented 
the  town  of  Salisbury  in  the  Assembly  in  1807,  1808,  and  1819.  He  died  21st 
October,  1822.  He  left,  by  his  marriage  with  Sarah,  daughter  of  William 
Alexander,  and  sister  of  William  Alexander  and  Governor  Nathaniel  Alex- 
ander, two  children,  Archibald  Henderson,  of  Salisbury,  who  now  resides 
near  Salisbury,  and  a  member  of  the  Council  of  State,  and  Mrs.  Boyden,  wife 
of  Hon.  Nathaniel  Boyden. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  his  Monument  in  the  Lutheran  Churchyard  at 
Salisbury. 

In  Memory  of 

Archibald  Hendersox, 

to  whom  his  associates  at  the  Bar  have  erected 

this  Monument 

to  mark  their  veneration  for  the  character  of 

a  Lawyer 

who  illustrated  their  profession  by  the  extent  of  his  learning, 

and  the 

unblench'd  integrity  of  his  life: 

of  a  Man 

who  sustained  and  embellished  all  the  relations 

of  Social  Life 

with  rectitude  and  benevolence: 

of  a  Citizen 

who,  elevated  by  the  native  dignity  of  his  mind  above  the 

atmosphere  of  selfishness  and  party,  pursued 

calmly,  yet  zealously,  the  true  interest  of  his  country. 

His  loss  was  felt  with  a  sincere,  general  and 

unmixed  Sorrow. 

Decissit  xxi  Die  Octobris, 

Anno  Domini  cio,dccc,xxii,  JEt.  suae  liv. 


John  Giles  was  born  in  Rowan  County;  educated  at  the  University;  was 
graduated  in  1808  ;  studied  law,  and  was  its  honored  member  for  more  than 
thirty  years;  for  a  long  time  Clerk  of  Rowan  Countv  Court,  and  in  1829  was 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  391 

elected  to  Congress,  hut  declined  on  account  of  ill  health.  -  lie  died  a  few 
years  since,  loved  and  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Hon.  David  Franklin  Caldwell  resides  now  in  Salisbury,  and  is  a  native 
of  Iredell  County,  for  a  sketch  of  whom  see  Iredell  County,  page  217. 

Hon.  Wm.  C.  Love  resided  in  this  county:  he  was  a  native  of  Virginia; 
reared  at  the  University,  at  which  in  1799  his  father  was  Steward.  He  was 
a  lawyer  by  profession,  and  in  1815  represented  this  District  in  Congress. 

Hon.  Charles  Fisher.* 

"  What  constitutes  a  State  ? 

Not  high  rais''d  hattlements  or  lahor'd  mound, 
ThicZ-  wall  or  moated  gate, 

Not  cities  proud,  with  spires  and  turrets  croitm'd, 
Nor  bays  and  broad  arm\l  ports, 

Where,  laiighing  at  the  storm,  ridi  navies  ride. 
Nor  starred  nor  spangled  courts. 

Where  low-brow^  d  baseness  wafts  perfume  to  pride  I 
No,  Me7i,  high-minded  men — 

****** 
iVfew,  who  tJieir  duties  kiiow, 
But  know  tlieir  rights,  and  knowing  dare  maintain.'''' 

Sir  William  Jones. 

The  deep  sensation  which  pervades  our  State,  caused  by  the  recent  death 
of  Charles  Fisher,  is  evidence  of  the  high  appreciation  with  which  his  cha- 
racter, services,  and  talents  were  regarded. 

Associated  as  have  been  his  services,  with  the  history  of  the  State  for  the 
last  thirty  years,  it  is  alike  due  to  such  services,  as  well  as  a  tribute  to  his 
talents  and  virtues,  that  some  memorial  should  be  preserved  which  should 
truthfully  present  them  to  the  country. 

Such  is  a  grateful  oblation  to  departed  worth.  Not  only  is  this  a  duty  dis- 
charged to  the  dead,  but  a  moral  benefit  may  result  to  the  living.  It  acts  as 
an  incentive  to  others,  while  they  admire  his  services  and  brilliant  career,  to 
emulate  his  patriotic  example. 

"  O,  who  shall  lightly  say  tliat  Fatne 
Is  nothing  but  an  empty  name, 
While  in  that  name  there  is  a  cJiarm 
The  nerves  to  brace,  the  heart  to  warm., 
When,  thinking  on  the  mighty  dead. 
The  youth  shall  rouse  from,  slothful  bed, 
And  vow  with  uplift  hand  and  heart, 
Like  him  to  act  a  noble  part." 

A  record  of  such  services  acts  directly  on  others.  Sallust  informs  us  that 
Maximus  and  Scipio,  whenever  they  beheld  the  marble  statues  of  their  illus- 
trious countrymen,  were  violently  excited.  "  It  could  not,"  he  said,  "  be  the 
cold  marble  that  possessed  this  mighty  power.  It  was  the  recollection  of 
noble  actions  which  kindled  this  generous  flame  in  their  breasts,  only  to  be 
quenched  when  they  also,  by  their  actions  and  virtues,  had  acquired  equal 
reputation." 

The  character  of  her  sons  chiefly  constitutes  the  character  of  a  State.  They 
elevate  or  degrade  her. 

North  Carolina,  in  the  death  of  Charles  Fisher,  has  lost  one  of  her  most 
enterprising  citizens  ;  Rowan  County,  one  of  its  brightest  ornaments ;  society, 
one  of  its  most  useful  members. 

An  untiring  energy  of  character,  a  clear  and  comprehensive  intellect,  a 
penetrating  and  persuasive  (if  not  commanding)  eloquence,  knowledge,  deep 
and  varied,  both  of  men  and  books,  elevated  him  to  high  and  responsible 
stations  in  our  republic;  and  his  merits  were  always  equal  to  his  position. 

*  This  sketch  was  prepared  soon  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Fisher,  and  as  it  was  collated 
from  documents  and  authentic  sources,  and  written  by  the  author,  it  is  here  inserted. 

34 


392  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

As  a  statesman,  he  was  patriotic,  liberal  and  undaunted  ;  as  a  citizen,  he 
was  pul)Uc  spirited,  generous,  and  active ;  and  as  a  friend,  he  was  devoted, 
unfliuchinf!;,  and  sincere. 

To  say  that  he  had  no  faults,  would  be  to  say  that  he  was  more  than  man. 
Actively  engaRed,  as  he  often  was,  by  circumstances  in  the  angry  conflicts  of 
partv,  it  is  not  to  be  disguised  that  while  a  warm  and  sanguine  temperament 
produces  "troops  of  friends,"  it  also,  sometimes,  creates  enemies.  But  Mr. 
Fisher  cherished  no  malice.  If  he  never  forgot  his  friends,  he  forgave  his 
enemies.  Even  those  who  felt  the  energy  of  his  character,  and  the  power  of  his 
intellect  in  discussion,  when  the  contest  was  over,  acknowledged  the  gene- 
rosity of  his  temper,  fairness  and  candor  of  his  argument,  and  the  nobleness 
of  his  disposition.  When  the  news  of  his  death  reached  Salisbury,  a  public 
meetino- was  held  on  the  melancholy  occasion  ;  many  who  were  always  politi- 
cally opposed  to  him,  united  in  it,  and  one  of  the  most  active  in  that  meeting 
was  a  gentleman  who  was  his  opponent  for  Congress,  in  a  heated  and  violent 

contest,  in  1839.* 

It  is  a  redeeming  and  noble  feature  in  human  character,  not  to  war  against 
the  powerless,  or  the  dead.     In  the  heat  of  contest, 

"  That  stem  joy  which  warriors  feel, 
1)1  finding  foemen  worthy  of  their  steel," 

animates  us ;  but  the  contest  once  over,  the  merits  and  virtues  of  a  generous 
adversary  are  appreciated  and  acknowledged. 

This  was  the  case  with  Charles  Fisher.  Such  men  are  alike  the  ornament  and 
defence  of  a  State.  Their  character  and  memory  are  its  peculiar  property,  to 
be  cherished  as  the  Roman  matron  did  her  brave  sons,  as  her  brightest  jewels. 
If  there  be  some  among  us,  who  knew  well  the  original,  and  with  whom  the 
excitement  of  party  and  personal  conflicts  are  still  fresh  ;  this  feeble  portrait, 
although  truthfully  sketched,  may  seem  too  highly  colored ;  it  should  be  recol- 
lected, that  the  most  faithful  artist  often  feels  at  liberty  to  hide  some  minor 
defects  of  countenance,  by  the  light  or  shade  of  some  bold,  prominent,  and 
commendable  traits  of  feature. 

Let  us  all  cherish  the  recollection  of  talents,  services  and  virtues,  of  departed 
worth,  and  such  faults  as  are  inseparable  from  our  nature,  be  buried  in  the 
grave  with  the  relics  of  fallen  humanity! 

Chari.es  Fisher  was  born  in  Rowan  County  on  the  20th  October,  1789.  His 
father  removed  from  Shenandoah  County,  Virginia,  to  Rowan  County,  before 
the  Revolution,  and  was  a  sturdy  republican  in  1776,  and  served  in  the  war 
as  a  militia  ofiicer. 

His  education  was  conducted  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  John  Robinson, 
at  Poplar  Tent,  in  Cabarrus  County ;  and  finished  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  McPhseters, 
of  Raleigh.     It  never  extended  beyond  this. 

He  studied  the  law,  and  obtained  a  license  to  practice,  but  such  was  the 
demand  made  on  his  time  by  other  pursuits,  he  never  practised  it  to  any  ex- 
tent. Doubtless,  had  his  exclusive  attention  been  devoted^  to  the  profession, 
from  his  natural  quickness  of  perception,  his  ready  tact,  his  strong  and  com- 
prehensive reason,  and  laborious  research,  he  would  have  obtained  the  highest 
eminence. 

Fortune  had  marked  out  for  him  another  career,  to  which  his  elementary 
knowledge  of  the  law  was  an  important  aid  ;  and  in  this,  he  shone  conspicuous. 
His  first  appearance  in  public  life  was  in  1818,  as  a  Senator  in  the  State 
Legislature  from  Rowan.  In  1819,  on  the  death  of  the  Hon.  George  Mumford, 
he  was  elected  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  in  Congress,  by 
a  majority  of  three  hundred  and  five  votes,  over  Dr.  W.  Jones.  In  1820,  he 
was  again  re-elected  to  Congress,  for  a  full  term,  by  a  large  majority  over 
Hon.  John  Long.  After  serving  throughout  this  Congress,  he  retired  from 
the  toils  and  fatigues  of  its  services,  to  attend  to  the  welfare  and  happiness 
of  his  young  and  rising  family.  But  the  people  did  not  allow  him  to  remain 
entirely  abstracted  from  their  service.    In  1821,  he  was  elected  a  member  of 

*  Dr.  Pleasant  Henderson. 


BOWAN  COUNTY.  393 

the  House  of  Commons,  from  Rowan  County.  From  this  time  to  183G,  he 
served  in  the  House  of  Commons,  ahnost  continuously,  as  a  member,  either 
from  the  County  of  Rowan  or  the  Borough  of  Salisbury,  a  lung  and  unusual 
period  of  public  service.  In  1831-32,  he  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the  House 
of  Commons.  Those  who  served  with  him  (among  whom  was  the  writer  of 
this)  recollect  with  great  satisfaction,  the  dignity  and  ease  with  which  he  pre- 
sided over  the  deliberations  of  the  House,  composed  of  such  men  as  Gaston, 
Nash,  Henry,  Eccles,  Hill,  Bragg,  and  others. 

The  readiness  with  which  he  perceived,  and  the  promptness  with  which  he 
decided  all  parliamentary  questions,  his  urbanity,  and  impartialit}',  elicited 
universal  approbation. 

In  1835,  he,  with  the  late  Hon.  John  Giles,  was  a  delegate,  from  Rowan, 
in  the  Convention,  called  to  amend  the  Constitution  of  the  State.  This  was 
an  important  occasion.  This  was  the  first  Convention  that  had  set  in  the 
State  after  her  Independence  had  been  achieved. 

Important  questions  had  arisen — conflicting  interests  were  to  be  reconciled, 
and  great  principles  discussed.  The  people  felt  this,  and  sent  their  ablest 
men,  such  as  Nathaniel  Macon,  Wm.  Gaston,  John  Branch,  J.  J.  Daniel,  I). 
L.  Swain,  Richard  Dobbs  Spaight,  Jesse  Speight,  Samuel  P.  Carson,  Weldon 
N.  Edwards,  and  others  to  this  Convention. 

Here,  Mr.  Fisher's  industry,  talents,  and  acquirements,  shone  conspicu- 
ously. The  debates  of  this  body  show  that  he  took  a  most  active  part  iu  its 
proceedings. 

His  views  on  the  Freedom  of  Suffrage,  Religious  Toleration,  and  Popular 
Rights,  were  liberal  and  statesmanlike. 

He  was  one  of  the  Committee  by  whom  the  present  Constitution,  as  it  now 
exists,  was  drafted,  and  was  one  of  the  most  useful  members  of  the  Conven- 
tion. 

In  1839  he  was  again  brought  forward  as  a  candidate  for  Congress.  This 
campaign  will  be  long  remembered. 

His  principles  and  his  party  were  in  a  large  minority.  The  opposition  was 
active,  and  its  candidate  (Dr.  Pleasant  Henderson)  was  talented  and  popular. 
Mr.  Fisher  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  183  votes.  His  majority  of  300  votes 
at  Salisbury,  among  his  neighbors  and  daily  associates,  proved  their  high 
appreciation  of  his  worth  as  a  man,  and  as  a  faithful  friend. 

After  serving  through  this  Congress,  he  retired  to  give  his  undivided  atten- 
tion to  his  private  concerns,  which  from  his  constant  and  unremitting  labors 
in  public  life,  demanded  all  his  energy  and  talents.  Here  he  displayed  the 
same  qualities  in  private,  as  he  had  in  public  life ;  it  was  soon  manifest 
in  his  success.  But  it  was  not  his  destiny  to  be  allowed  by  the  people  to 
remain  in  retirement.  In  1845,  while  absent  from  the  State,  he  was  nomi- 
nated by  a  District  Convention  of  the  Democratic  party,  as  a  candidate  for 
Congress,  in  the  district  then  represented  by  Hon.  D.  M.  Barringer.  He 
refused,  at  first,  to  allow  his  name  to  be  used  ;  but  finally  he  consented,  much 
against  his  wishes,  interests,  and  private  matters. 

He  engaged  in  the  canvass  as  he  did  in  everything  else,  with  all  his  heart 
and  mind.  The  District  was  large;  he  addressed  his  fellow-citizens  at  every 
place  he  possibly  could,  at  great  length,  and  often  twice  a  day,  sometimes 
riding  more  than  fifty  miles  without  rest;  and  when  he  could  not  go,  he  wat* 
active  in  writing  and  sending  printed  addresses  to  the  people.  Such  were  his 
exertions,  such  the  force  and  ingenuity  of  his  arguments,  that  he  only  lost  his 
election  by  27  votes  in  a  district,  which,  when  he  commenced  the  canvass  was 
supposed  to  contain  an  overwhelming  majority  against  him.  This  is  the  onli/ 
election  in  which  he  ever  failed  before  the  people ;  and  such  was  the  effect  of 
his  efforts,  that  his  political  opponents  did  not  think  the  district  any  longer 
x'eliable,  and  altered  it  at  the  next  session  of  the  Legislature. 

At  various  times  he  was  balloted  for  in  the  Legislature,  as  Senator  in 
Congress.  At  one  time  (1839)  only  a  few  votes  would  have  elected  him. 
In  1846  he  was  the  unanimous  choice  of  his  party  in  the  State  fur  Guvernor. 
He  was  compelled  to  decline  it,  on  account  of  his  private  affairs.  He  wrote 
a  letter  to  the  Convention,  he  being  absent  from  the  State,  declining  for  ihu 


394  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

reason  stated,  and  the  Hon.  G.  W.  Caldwell  was  nominated.  He  also  declined 
on  account  of  ill-lie:vltli,  and  his  private  affairs  ;  and  Mr.  Sheppard  (Jamea 
B.)  was  ciiosen  by  the  Central  Committee.  _         ,,      -n-  i 

Deeply  imbued  in  the  principles  of  republicanism,  Mr,  iisher  was  the 
strong  advocate  of  the  rights  of  the  people,  against  the  encroachments  of 

privileges  and  power.  ^        •      •       i  .1     /> 

Well  versed  in  the  history  and  theory  of  our  Constitution,  he  was  the  farm, 
undaunted,  and  unyielding  friend  of  state-rights  against  federal  encroach- 
ments and  usurpations.  The  last  effort  he  ever  made  in  public  that  the 
writer  of  this  recollects,  was  in  1848,  on  the  invitation  of  the  citizens  of 
Catawba  County,  when  he  with  the  lion.  II.  W.  Conner,  Burton  Craige, 
Esq.,  and  others,  addressed  them  on  the  true  principles  (as  he  conceived)  of 

the  Government.  ,..-,• 

It  would  swell  this  sketch  far  beyond  the  proper  limits,  to  discuss,  or  even 
allude  to  the  various  public  measures  that  he  originated  and  advocated  among 
the  people,  in  the  Legislature,  or  in  Congress ;  or  to  make  extracts  from  his 
various  reports,  or  copy  his  various  speeches.  These  belong  to  some  other 
pen.  When  some  future  Plutarch  shall  endeavor  to  present  to  North  Carolina 
the  names,  services,  and  labors  of  her  sons,  he  can  find  ample  material  in  the 
records  of' the  State,  and  the  nation,  to  do  justice  to  Mr.  Fisher's  reputation 

and  memory.  ... 

lie  died  at  Ilillsboro',  Scott  County,  Mississippi,  on  his  way  home,  after 
an  illness  of  some  ten  or  twelve  days,  on  7th  May,  1849,  in  the  60th  year  of 
his  age.  He  married,  in  April,  1814,  Christina  Beard,  daughter  of  Lewis 
Beard,  of  Salisbury,  by  whom  he  had  several  children,  three  of  whom  survive, 
a  son  and  two  daughters.  His  wife  died  June,  1848,  on  her  return  from  Flo- 
rida. Although  he  lies  buried  far  away,  his  name  and  fame  belong  to 
North  Carolina. 

Hon.  John  Willis  Ellis,  now  one  of  our  judges  of  the  Superior  Courts, 
resides  in  Salisbury.  lie  was  born  in  Rowan,  now  Davidson  County,  23d 
Nov.  1820.  Ilis  early  education  was  conducted  under  Robert  Allison,  Esq., 
at  Beattie's  Ford,  and  was  continued  at  Randolph  Macon  College,  in  Virginia  ; 
and  finished  at  the  University,  where  he  graduated  in  1841.  He  studied  law 
with  Judge  Pearson. 

His  entrance  into  public  life  was  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons, 
in  1844,  from  Rowan,  and  he  continued  until  1848,  at  which  session  he  was 
elected  a  judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  of  Law  and  Equity,  which  elevated 
position  he  at  present  occupies. 

Hon.  Nathaniel  Boyden  resides  in  Salisbury.  He  was  born  in  Franklin 
township,  Massachusetts,  eighteen  miles  from  Northampton,  on  16th  August, 
1796,  where  his  father,  John  Boyden,  now  resides,  at  the  advanced  age  of 
eighty-eight  years.  He  graduated  at  Union  College,  Schenectady,  New  York, 
in  1821,  and  the  next  year  he  removed  to  North  Carolina.  He  settled  in 
Stokes  County,  where  he  taught  school.  He  studied  law,  and  married  Ruth, 
the  daughter  of  Hugh  Martin  of  this  county.  In  1838  he  represented  Stokes 
in  the  House  of  Commons,  and  again  in  1840. 

On  the  death  of  Mrs.  Boyden  he  removed  to  Salisbury  in  1842,  and  in  1844 
represented  Rowan  in  the  Senate.  He  m;»rried  in  this  county  the  daughter 
of  the  late  Hon.  Archibald  Henderson,  in  Dec.  1845,  and  in  1847  was 
elected  to  Congress  from  tliis  District,  which,  after  serving  one  Congress, 
he  declined  for  the  more  lucrative  and  germane  duties  of  his  profession. 

Hamilton  C.  Jones  resides  in  Rowan  County,  and  has  been  often  the  re- 
presentative from  this  county.  He  was  born  in  1798,  in  Greenville,  Virginia, 
educated  at  our  University,  and  was  graduated  in  1818,  in  the  same  class 
with  James  K.  Polk,  Bishop  Green,  of  Mississippi,  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  H.  Mor- 
rison, Governor  William  I).  Mosely,  Hugh  Waddell,  Esq.,  Robert  Donaldson, 
and  others.  He  read  law  with  Judge  Gaston,  in  Newbern,  and  entered  pub- 
lic life  in  1827,  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  again  in  1828, 
and  in  1838  and  1840. 


ROWAN  COUNTY.  395 

He  was  elected  Solicitor  in  1840,  and  re-elected  in  1844.  He  has  estab- 
lished a  reputation  as  a  writer,  of  great  wit  and  fancy  in  his  tales  of 
"Cousin  Sally  Dillard,"  "McAlpin's  Trip  to  Charleston,"  and  other  pro- 
ductions. 

His  efforts  in  the  Legislature  in  1828  on  the  bill  of  Robert  Potter  to  reduce 
the  salary  of  the  Judges,  was  considered  as  fatal  to  that  agrarian  project;  his 
speech  on  the  bill  to  prosecute  the  banks  took  a  view  of  that  question  that 
excited  the  admiration  of  some  of  the  ablest  men  in  the  House  ;  and  his 
speech  on  the  bill  to  locate  the  Judges,  was  unanswerable  in  its  argument, 
withering  in  its  satii'e,  and  triumphant  in  its  humor. 

Burton  Craig  resides  in  Salisbury,  who  has  been  a  representative  from 
this  town,  and  a  prominent  member  of  the  bar.  His  ancestors  are  of  genuine 
revolutionary  stock.  His  father,  David  Craig,  as  will  be  seen  hy  the  record, 
was  an  officer  in  the  company  of  Captain  AV'illiam  Temple  Coles,  and  was 
distinguished  for  his  bravery  and  patriotic  daring. 

Burton  Craig  was  born  in  Rowan,  13th  March,  1811.  He  was  prepared 
for  college  by  Reverend  Jonathan  Otis  Freeman,  and  was  graduated  at 
Chapel  Hill  in  1829.  In  1832  Mr.  Craig  was  a  member  from  the  town  of  Salis- 
bury in  the  House  of  Commons,  and  in  1834  from  the  County  of  Rowan.  In 
1836  he  visited  Europe  for  his  health,  which  was  then  very  feeble,  and  was 
much  benefited,  and  since  he  has  returned  he  has  devoted  himself  entirely 
to  the  law. 

Mr.  Craig  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Colonel  James  Erwin,  of  Burke, 
in  1836. 

John  B.  Lord,  who  recently  died  (June  1851),  amid  the  lamentations 
of  his  fond  family  and  friends,  was  a  patriotic  and  useful  citizen  of  Salis- 
bury. He  was  a  native  of  Wilmington,  of  good  family,  fine  acquirements, 
and  benevolent  feelings.  In  1842  and  1844  he  was  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Commons,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  a  Director  of  the  Central 
Railroad. 


Gold  Hill 


Is  situated  In  the  County  of  Rowan,  fourteen  miles  south  of  Salisbury, 
near  the  public  road  leading  to  Cheraw,  S.  C,  and  immediately  north  of  the 
Cabarrus  line,  adjoining  that  county. 

The  name  of  this  place  originated  in  the  following  manner.  In  the  month 
of  March,  1843,  a  public  meeting  was  called  by  the  miners  for  the  purpose 
of  giving  the  place  a  name,  and  petitioning  to  the  Post  Office  Department  for 
the  establishment  of  a  Post  Office. 

The  meeting  was  held  at  the  Cross  Roads  in  the  woods.  A  variety  of  names 
were  suggested,  some  after  the  persons  holding  the  mines,  others  after  the 
discoverers,  &c.,  but  none  of  them  being  agreed  upon,  on  the  suggestion  of 
the  chairman  (Col.  George  Barnhart),  Gold  Hill  was  finally  adopted. 

The  mining  operations  commenced  in  September,  1842,  on  the  lands  of 
Andrew  Troutman,  under  the  management  of  A.  Honeycutt  and  Culps. 
They  confined  their  operations  to  washing  the  surface,  on  the  head  of  a  drain 
near  the  place  now  called  the  Honeycutt  Mine. 

On  the  7th  of  Dec.  1842,  John  Peck,  N.  K.  Barringer,  and  others,  a  com- 
pany of  ten,  commenced  operations  on  the  land  of  John  Troutman,  and  sunk 
several  shafts.  They  were  the  first  that  discovered  the  gold  ores,  and  opened 
veins,  some  of  which  were  very  rich,  but  their  large  veins  were  generally 
poor.  This  mine  was  worked  to  the  depth  of  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  feet, 
and  yielded  $40,000  of  gold. 

In  the  latter  part  of  Dec.  1842,  A.  Honeycutt,  Culps,  and  Co.,  (above 
mentioned,)  discovered  their  veins,  the  ores  of  which  were  very  rich.  This 
mine  is  worked  to  the  depth  of  one  hundred  and  eighty-five  feet,  and  has 
yielded  $101,665. 

In  Jan.  1843,  John  Barnhart  and  Co.,  known  as  the  Barnhart  Company, 
made  their  discoveries  on  the  land  of  George  Ileilick.     They  opened  two 


396  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

veins,  runninn;  parallel  about  a  hundred  yards  apart,  and  are  from  one  foot 
to  four  feet  tliick. 

This  ore  has  j^enerally  been  rich.  This  company  had  a  lease  for  six  years, 
■worked  the  mine  two  hundred  and  sixty  feet  deep,  and  for  two  years  used  a 
steam  engine.  During  the  last  two  years  sixty  to  ninety  hands  have  been 
worked  in  this  mine.  The  length  of  the  pocket  of  ore,  at  its  longest  point, 
was  two  hundred  feet.  This  vein  had  an  inclination  of  ten  feet  to  the  one 
hundred,  and  yielded  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  (§200,000).  After  this 
the  vein  was  worked  by  Ileilick,  Barnhart,  and  Co.,  and  yielded  $10,000. 

In  Feb.  1843,  Peter  Earnhart,  Eagner  and  Co.,  opened  a  large  vein  (a  part 
of  it  very  rich),  which  is  Avorked  to  the  depth  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  feet 
by  the  aid  of  a  steam  engine.  This  mine  is  on  the  land  of  Philip  Earnhart, 
and  the  books  of  the  company  show  that  it  yielded  from  1846  to  July,  1851, 
$93,000  worth  of  gold.  The  estimates  between  the  years  1843  and  1847 
cannot  be  correctly  ascertained,  as  the  ores  were  ground  in  small  mills  and 
divided  out. 

In  March,  1843,  David  McMackin,  Miller  and  Co.,  discovered  a  vein  op  the 
land  of  Jacob  Troutman,  in  Cabarrus  County,  within  one  mile  of  Gold  Ilill, 
which  is  very  rich,  has  been  worked  to  the  depth  of  one  hundred  feet,  and 
yielded  ?20,000  worth  of  gold. 

In  July,  1843,  Jennings,  Crowell  and  Co.,  opened  a  large  vein  on  the  land 
of  David  Troutman,  which  contains  a  large  mass  of  ore,  and  is  from  thirty 
to  forty  feet  thick,  but  is  poor.  This  mine  is  very  near  the  Cabarrus  line, 
and  is  now  owned  by  a  company  from  Philadelphia,  who  have  lately  put 
up  a  fine  steam  engine  and  a  number  of  stamps,  and  bids  fair  to  do  well. 

Immediately  south  of  this  in  Cabarrus,  is  a  mine  worked  about  one  hun- 
dred feet  deep,  known  as  "  McMackin's  Silver  Mine."  This  has  been  prin- 
cipally worked  by  men  not  experienced  in  that  kind  of  ore,  who  have  never 
used  any  machinery  by  which  to  work  to  advantage.  From  appearances 
this  ore  must  be  very  abundant.  It  has  been  tested  by  a  number  of  chemists, 
who  all  concur  in  saying  the  ore  is  valuable,  and  would  pay  well  if, the  proper 
means  were  used  to  get  it  out. 

There  are  also  other  veins  here,  containing,  in  combination,  ores  of  lead, 
silver,  and  gold,  which  have  never  been  opened  more  than  one  or  two  feet  in 
depth.  There  is  also  a  small  vein  of  copper  ore,  which  has  been  worked 
some  few  feet  in  depth,  and  is  said  to  yield  in  assaying  seventy-five  per  cent. 

As  long  since  as  1825,  Prof.  Olmsted,  while  on  a  geological  survey,  visited 
this  countr}',  and  expressed  the  opinion  that  it  was  rich  in  minerals.  And 
in  his  report  to  the  Legislature  of  '27,  he  made  the  following  reference  to 
this  particular  land,  under  the  head  of  "  Manganese:"  "  The  best  bed  of  it 
(manganese),  however,  hitherto  noticed,  is  in  the  north-eastern  corner  of 
Cal)arrus,  on  the  lands  of  Mr.  McMackin,  which  is,  perhaps,  suflficiently  pure 
and  abundant  to  make  it  worth  carrying  to  market." 

The  usual  rates  given  to  the  proprietor,  as  toll  or  rent  for  the  privilege  of 
working  the  mines,  is  one-seventh  of  what  the  mine  yields. 

Between  the  years  1843  and  1847,  there  were  about  thirty  or  forty  horse- 
power mills  at  this  place,  such  as  cast-iron  circular  runners  and  drag-mills, 
the  operators  of  which  kept  no  books,  and  many  of  them  have  left  the  place, 
consequently  I  shall  lose  a  large  amount  in  making  my  estimates. 

The  gold  veins,  in  some  places,  point  above  the  surface,  and  always  form 
immediately  below.  As  soon  as  you  strike  the  rock,  the  formation  is  slate, 
and  the  ore  is  called  slate-ore,  though  the  ore  differs  in  appearance  from  the 
slate  formation  on  the  sides  of  the  veins,  being  of  a  reddish-brown  color  to 
the  depth  of  sixty,  eighty,  and,  in  some  instances,  one  hundred  feet. 

It  then  appears  in  the  form  of  pyrites,  combined  with  iron  and  sulphur, 
bepoming  very  heavy.  The  formation  is  one  mile  wide,  and  contains  many 
veins. 

Many  of  these  veins  which  have  been  worked,  have  produced  a  large  quan- 
tity of  gold ;  but  as  they  are  not  of  sufficient  importance  to  note  singly,  will 
be  taken  together  with  those  small  mills  and  set  down  at  $100,000  worth. 

Gold  Hill  is  situated  on  a  fine  level  plain,  running  from  north-east  to  south- 


ROWAN  COUNTY. 


397 


west,  on  the   dividing  ridge  between  Dutch  Buffalo  and  Long  Creek.     Its 
population,  in  1848,  was  between  800  and  1000. 

The  health  of  the  locality  is  equal  to  any  village  in  the  State. 
Its  water  possesses  mineral  properties  not  surpassed  in  the  United  States, 
and  many  persons  afflicted  with  chronic  diseases,  such  as  dyspepsia,  rheu- 
matism, &c.,  have  been  relieved  by  visiting  the  place  and  using  the  water. 
There  are  seven  stenm-engines,  five  stores,  one  tavern,  four  doctors,  besides 
different  mechanics,  as  blacksmiths,  carriage-makers,  boot  and  shoemakers, 
saddle  and  harness-makers,  brick  and  stonemasons,  silversmiths.  &c.  Gold 
Hill  is  one  of  the  best  market?  in  the  middle  or  western  part  of  the  State, 
and  all  country  produce  will  bring  good  prices  and  ready  sale. 

The  following  is  the  aggregate  of  gold  found  in  and  about  Gold  Hill  by  the 
different  companies,  from  Jan.,  1843,  to  July,  1851,  viz.: — 

Honeycutt,  Gulp,  and  Co., $101,665 

Field  Company, 40,000 

Barnhart,  Mauney,  and  Co., 200,000 

Heilick,  Barnhart,  and  Co., 10,000 

Holmes,  Barnhart,  and  Co., 95,000 

Troutman  and  McMackin, 20,000 

Walls  and  Houston, 30,000 

E.  and  N.  Maunv,      -        - 30,000 

Carter,  Honeycutt,  and  Co., 20,000 

Coffin,  Worth,  and  Co., 150,000 

A.  iMIller  and  Co., 5,000 

Miscellaneous, 100,000 


§801,665 
Members  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  Salisbury  from  1777 
to  1835. 


Years.  House  of  Commons. 

1777.  David  Nesbett. 

1778.  Matthew  Troy. 

1779.  Maxwell  Chambers. 

1780.  Anthony  Newman. 

1781.  Anthony  Newman. 

1782.  Anthony  Newman. 

1783.  Anthony  Newman. 

1784.  Anthony  Newman. 

1785.  Thomas  Frohock. 

1786.  Thomas  Frohock. 

1787.  John  Steele. 

1788.  •■  John  Steele. 

1789.  Maxwell  Chambers. 

1791.  Lewis  Beard. 

1792.  Lewis  Beard. 

1793.  Lewis  Beard. 

1794.  John  Steele. 

1795.  John  Steele. 

1796.  Evan  Alexander. 

1797.  John  Newman. 

1798.  Evan  Alexander. 

1799.  Evan  Alexander. 

1800.  Evan  Alexander. 

1801.  Evan  Alexander. 

1802.  Evan  Alexander. 

1803.  Evan  Alexander. 

1804.  Joseph  Pearson. 

1805.  Joseph  Pearson. 

1806.  John  Steele. 


Years.  House  of  Commons. 

1807.  Archibald  Henderson. 

1808.  Archibald  Henderson. 

1809.  Archibald  Henderson. 

1810.  Joseph  Chambers. 

1811.  John  Steele. 

1812.  John  Steele. 

1813.  John  Steele. 

1814.  Archibald  Henderson. 

1815.  John  L.  Hendersorf. 

1816.  John  L.  Henderson. 

1817.  Stephen  L.  Ferrand. 

1818.  John  Beard,  Jr. 

1819.  Archibald  Henderson. 

1820.  Archibald  Hendersun. 

1821.  Charles  Fisher. 

1822.  Alfred  McKay. 

1823.  John  L.  Henderson. 

1824.  John  L.  Henderson. 

1825.  David  F.  Caldwell. 

1826.  Charles  Fisher. 

1827.  Charles  Fisher. 

1828.  Charles  Fisher. 

1829.  Charles  Fisher. 

1830.  Charles  Fisher. 

1831.  Charles  Fisher. 

1832.  Burton  Craig. 

1833.  Bichd.  H.  Alexander. 

1834.  Bielul.  II.  Alexander. 

1835.  William  Chambers. 


398 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


The  Borough  representation  was  abolished  by  the  Convention  of 
1835,  assembled  at  Raleigh  to  amend  the  Constitution. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Rowan  County. 


Years. 

1777. 

1778. 

1779. 

17.S0. 

1781. 

1782. 

1783. 

1784. 

1785. 

178G. 

1787. 

1788. 

1789. 

1790. 

1791. 

1792. 

1793. 

1794. 

1795. 

1796. 

1797. 

1798. 

1799. 

1800. 

1801. 

1802. 

1803. 

1804. 

1805. 

1806. 

1807. 

1808. 

1809. 

1310. 

1811. 

I,sl2. 

1813. 

1814. 

IS  1 5. 

1810. 

1817. 

1818. 

I,sl9. 

1820. 

1821. 

1822. 

1823! 

1S24. 

1S25. 

1820. 

1S27. 

1828. 

1829. 

1830. 

1831. 


Senale. 
Griffith  Paitherford, 
Griffith  Kutlierford, 
Griffith  Rutherford, 


House  of  Commons. 
Matthew  Lock,  James  Smith. 
Matthew  Lock,  Moses  Winslow. 
Matthew  Lock,  Moses  Winslow. 


Griffitli  Piutherford,  /l>Iatthew  Lock,  Geo.  Henry  Berger. 
Mattliew  Lock,  i  Wm.  Sharpe,  Samuel  Young. 

Matthew  Lock,       "n  '\yilliara  Sharpe,  Samuel  Young. 
Griffith  Rutherford,  ^Matthew  Lock,  Geo.  II.  Berger. 

Wm.  Sharpe,  James  Kerr. 

Matthew  Locke,  Geo.  11.  Berger. 


Griffith  Rutherford, 
Griffith  Rutherford, 
Griffith  Rutherford, 
Geo.  H.  Berger, 
Basil  Gaither, 
Geo.  n.  Berger, 
Geo.  H.  Berger, 
Geo.  II.  Berger, 
Geo.  H.  Berger, 
Lewis  Beai'd, 
William  Cathey, 
William  Cathey, 
Basil  Gaither, 
Basil  Gaither, 
Basil  Gaither, 
Basil  Gaither, 
Basil  Gaither, 
Basil  Gaither, 
Basil  Gaither, 
George  Fisher, 
Jacob  Fisher, 
Matthew  Brandon, 
Jacob  Fisher, 
Jacob  Fisher, 
Jacob  Fisher, 
Jacob  Fisher, 
Jacob  Fisher, 
Jacob  Fisher, 
Wm.  Bodenhamer, 
AVm.  Bodenhamer, 
Wm.  Bodenhamer, 
Wm.  Bodenhamer, 
Jesse  A.  Pearson, 
Danl.  Leatherman, 
Charles  Fisher, 
Francis  Locke, 
Francis  Locke, 
John  Lindsay, 
Joseph  Spurgen, 
James  Martin,  Jr. 
Jacob  Fisher, 
Samuel  Jones, 
John  Beard, 
John  Scott, 
John  Scott, 
David  F.  Caldwell, 
David  F.  Caldwell, 
David  F.  Caldwell, 


Thomas  Carson,  Richard  Pearson. 
Richmond  Pearson,  Thomas  Carson, 
David  Caldwell,  Thomas  Carsou. 
Matthew  Lock,  John  Stokes. 
Matthew  Lock,  Basil  Gaither. 
Matthew  Lock,  Basil  Gaither. 
Matthew  Lock,  Basil  Gaither. 
Thomas  Carson,  Basil  Gaither. 
Basil  Gaither,  Thomas  Carson. 
Basil  Gaither,  Thomas  Carson. 
Matthew  Brandon,  Thos.  Carson. 
Matthew  Brandon,  Thos.  Carson, 
Samuel  Dusenbury,  George  Fisher. 
Matthew  Brandon,  George  Fisher. 
George  Fisher,  Saml.  Dusenbury. 
George  Fisher,  John  Monro. 
Matthew  Brandon,  Danl.  Leatherman. 
Danl.  Leatherman,  Danl.  Hunt. 
John  Hunt,  George  Fisher. 
Danl.  Leatherman,  Danl.  Hunt. 
Danl.  Leatherman,  Danl.  Hunt. 
Danl.  Leatherman,  Jesse  A.  Pearson. 
Jesse  A.  Pearson,  John  Smith. 
Jesse  A.  Pearson,  Wm.  Wellborn. 
Alexander  Cladcleugh,  George  Mumford. 
Danl.  Leatherman,  George  Mumford. 
Jesse  A.  Pearson,  John  Lindsay. 
Geo.  McCulloh,  -Jesse  A.  Pearson. 
Jesse  A.  Pearson,  George  McCulloh, 
Geo.  McCulloh,  Jesse  A.  Pearson. 
Henry  Chambers,  Joel  McCorkle. 
Michael  Holdshouser,  Ransom  Powell. 
Michael  Holdshouser,  Ransom  Powell. 
George  Smith,  Saml.  Jones. 
Saml.  Jones,  Thomas  Hampton. 
John  Clements,  Henry  Rats. 
Charles  Fisher,  George  Smith. 
Charles  Fisher,  John  Clements. 
John  Linn,  George  Andrews. 
George  Andrews,  John  Clements. 
John  Clements,  John  Linn. 
Hamilton  C.  Jones,  John  Clements. 
John  Clements,  H.  C.  Jones. 
Thos.  G.  Polk,  Richmond  M.  Pearson. 
Thos.  G.  Polk,  Richmond  M.  Pearson. 
Thos.  G.  Polk,  Richmond  M.  Pearson. 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY.  399 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1832.  Archd.  G.  Carter,  Thos.  G.  Polk,  Richmond  M.  Pearson. 

1833.  John  Beard,  Jr.  John  Clements,  Charles  Fisher. 

1834.  John  Beard,  Jr.  Burton  Craig,  John  Clements. 

1835.  Thos.  G.  Polk,  John  Clements,  Jesse  W.  AVharton. 

1836.  Thomas  G.  Polk,  John    Clements,  Charles    Fisher,  Wm.  D. 

Crawford. 

1838.     Samuel  Ribelin,  Wm.  D.  Crawford,  H.  C.  Jones,  J.  A.  Cle- 

ments. 

1840.     Samuel  Ribelin,  H.  C.  Jones,  Isaac  Burns,  Francis  "Williams. 

1842.     Samuel  Ribelin,  Alex.  W.  Brandon,   F.  Williams,  Jno.  B. 

Lord. 

1844.     Nathaniel  Boyden,      John  B.  Lord,  Jno.  W.  Ellis. 

1846.     Samuel  E.  Kerr,  Isaac  Ribelin,  Jno.  W.  Ellis. 

1848.     John  A.  Lillin^ton,     John  W.  Ellis,  —  McCorkle. 

1850.    John  A.  Lillington,    A.  H.  Caldwell,  0.  G.  Foard. 


CHAPTER   LXVIII, 


EUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


Rutherford  County  was  erected,  in  1779,  out  of  Trjon 
County,  which  was  in  this  year  abolished,  and  its  territory  divided 
into  Lincoln  and  Rutherford,  and  called  in  honor  of  Griffith 
Rutherford,  who  was  a  Brigadier-General  in  the  Revolutionary 
war,  for  whose  character  and  services  see  Rowan  County. 

It  is  located  in  the  western  part  of  the  State ;  and  bounded  on 
the  north  by  McDowell ;  east  by  Cleaveland ;  south  by  the  South 
Carolina  line;  and  west  by  Henderson  and  Buncombe. 

Its  capital,  Rutherfordton,  is  two  hundred  and  sixteen  miles  west 
of  Raleigh. 

Its  population  (1850),  10,425  whites;  220  free  negroes;  2,005  slaves; 
12,388  representative  population. 

Its  products  (1840),  1,090,388  bushels  corn  ;  76,663  bushels  wheat ;  57,955 
bushels  oats;  6,030  bushels  rye  ;  250,325  lbs.  cotton;  4,983  lbs.  wool;  4,653 
lbs,  tobacco. 

Hon.  John  Paxton,  late  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  resided  in  this 
county.  lie  was  a  native  of  Virginia,  settled  at  Morganton  as  a  merchant, 
unsuccessful,  and  failed.  Commenced  study  of  law  late  in  life,  and  prac- 
ticed with  great  success.  He  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts  of 
Law  in  1818,  and  was  remarkable  for  his  firmness,  honesty,  and  patience. 
He  died  in  1826  at  Judge  Hall's,  in  Warren,  on  his  return  from  the  Edenton 
Circuit. 

Joshua  Foreman  settled  in  this  county  in  1826.  He  was  a  native  of  New- 
York,  an  active,  intelligent,  and  enterprising  citizen.  lie  was  the  founder 
of  the  town  of  Syracuse,  in  New  York,  and  patron  of  the  Erie  Canal.  He 
died  4th  Aug.  1849. 


400 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Hon.  Felix  Walker  was  a  resident  of  this  county,  and  represented  it  in 
the  House  of  Commons  in  1799,  and  often  afterwards. 

In  1817  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  continued  until  1823.  He  removed 
to  Tennessee,  where  he  died. 

General  John  Gray  Bynum  is  the  present  Senator  from  this  County.  He 
is  a  native  of  Stokes.  He  was  educated  at  the  University,  where  he  was 
graduated  in  1833.     He  studied  law  with  Judge  Gaston. 

In  183G  he  married  the  daughter  of  Colonel  Charles  McDowell,  of  Burke  ; 
and  in  1840  represented  this  county  in  the  Senate,  and  again  in  1850. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Rutherford  County, 
from  its  formation  to  the  last  Session. 


years.  Senate. 

1780.  William  Porter, 

1781.  AVilliam  Porter, 

1782.  James  Miller, 

1783.  James  Holland, 

1784.  James  Miller, 

1785.  James  Miller, 

1786.  James  Whiteside, 

1787.  James  Miller, 

1788.  Richard  Singleton, 

1789.  Richard  Singleton, 

1790.  Richard  Singleton, 

1791.  Richard  Singleton, 

1792.  Richard  Singleton, 

1793.  Richard  Singleton, 

1794.  Richard  Singleton, 

1795.  Charles  Wilkins, 

1796.  William  Porter, 

1797.  James  Holland, 

1798.  Samuel  Carpenter, 

1799.  Samuel  Carpenter, 

1800.  William  Greene, 

1801.  William  Greene, 

1802.  Jonathan  Hampton, 

1803.  William  Greene, 

1804.  Jonathan  Hampton, 

1805.  Jonathan  Hampton, 

1806.  William  Greene, 

1807.  William  Greene, 

1808.  William  Greene, 

1809.  William  Greene, 

1810.  William  Carson, 

1811.  William  Greene, 

1812.  Jonathan  Hampton, 

1813.  Jonathan  Hampton, 

1814.  William  Greene, 

1815.  William  Greene, 

1816.  John  JNIoore, 

1817.  William  Greene, 

1818.  William  Greene, 

1819.  George  Walton, 

1820.  George  Walton, 

1821.  Benj.  H.  Bradley, 

1822.  William  Greene, 

1823.  Elias  Alexander, 

1824.  William  Greene, 


House  of  Commons. 

David  Whitesides,  Wm.  Gilbert. 
James  Withrow,  David  Miller. 
William  Gilbert,  David  Dickey. 
William  Gilbert,  Richard  Singleton. 
Richard  Singleton,  James  Withrow. 
George  Moore,  Richard  Singleton. 
James  Withrow,  James  Holland. 
Richard  Singleton,  James  Withrow. 
William  Porter,  James  Withrow. 
William  Porter,  James  Holland. 
Wm.  Porter,  Wm.  Davidson. 
Wm.  Davidson,  Wm.  Porter. 
Wm.  Porter,  Felix  Walker. 
Felix  Walker,  Wm.  Porter. 
William  Porter,  Samuel  Carpenter. 
Samuel  Carpenter,  Jonas  Bedford. 
Jonas  Bedford,  Samuel  Carpenter. 
Samuel  Carpenter,  Jonas  Bedford. 
William  Greene,  Chas.  Lewis. 
Wm.  Porter,  Felix  Walker. 
Felix  Walker,  Arthur  Clarke. 
Felix  Walker,  John  Miller. 
Felix  Walker,  James  Withrow. 
William  Porter,  John  Miller. 
James  Withrow,  Housen  Harrell. 
Wm.  Porter,  James  Withrow. 
Felix  Walker,  James  Terrell. 
Wm.  Porter,  James  L.  Terrell. 
James  L.  Terrell,  John  Carson. 
Daniel  Gold,  George  Camp. 
Daniel  Gold,  George  Camp. 
William  Porter,  Daniel  Gold. 
William  Porter,  Joseph  Carson. 
Jos.  M.  Carson,  Abram  Crow. 
J.  M.  D.  Carson,  William  Porter. 
William  Porter,  John  Carson. 
William  Porter,  John  Carson. 
John  H.  Alley,  Robert  II.  Taylor. 
John  H.  Alley,  James  L.  Terrell. 
Daniel  Gold,  John  Carson. 
John  Carson,  John  McDowell. 
John  Carson,  John  McDowell. 
James  Graham,  John  Carson. 
John  Carson,  James  Graham. 
John  Carson,  James  Graham. 


SAMPSON  COUNTY. 


401 


Years.  Senate. 

1825.  Martin  Shuford, 

1826.  Martin  Shuford, 

1827.  Martin  Shuford, 

1828.  Martin  P.  Shuford, 

1829.  John  Mclntyre, 

1830.  John  Mclntyre, 

1831.  John  Mclntyre, 

1832.  Jos.  M.  D.  Carson, 

1833.  Martin  P.  Shuford, 

1834.  Bremen  H.  Durham, 

1835.  Alanson  W.  Moore, 

1836.  Jos.  M.  D.  Carson, 
1838.  Jos.  M.  D.  Carson, 
1840.  John  G.  Bynum, 
1842.  W.  J.  T.  Miller, 
1844.  Thomas  Jefferson, 
1846.  Columbus  Mills, 
1848.  Wra.  J.  T.  Miller, 
1850.  John  G.  Bynum, 


House  of  Commons. 
John  Carson,  Joseph  Greene. 
John  Carson,  Wm.  Richardson. 
Daniel  Gold,  Joseph  Greene. 
James  Graham,  James  Webb. 
James  Graham,  James  M.  Carson. 
Robert.  McAffee,  James  Webb. 
James  M.  Webb,  Joseph  Greene. 
Thomas  Dewes,  A.  B.  Irvine. 
A.  B.  Irvine,  Alanson  W.  Moore. 
David  Ilannick,  John  H.  Bedford. 
J.  H.  Bedford,  Jos.  M.  D.  Carson. 
W.  J.  T.  Miller,  T.  .JefiPerson,  J.  H.  Bedford. 
W.  J.  T.  Miller,  W.  E.  Mills,  J.  H.  Bedford. 
W.  J.  T.  Miller,  W.  E.  Mills,  Thos.  .Jefferson. 
Thos.  Jefferson,  W.  E.  Mills,  John  Baxter. 
AVm.  E.  Mills,  —  Davis. 
Wm.  F.  Jones,  Simon  McCurry. 
A.  G.  Logan,  Wm.  Wilkins. 
C.  J.  Webb,  Jesse  B.  Sloan. 


CHAPTEE  LXIX. 


SAMPSON   COUNTY. 


Sampson  County  was  formed  in  1784,  from  Duplin,  named  in 
compliment  to  Colonel  John  Sampson. 

It  is  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State ;  and  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Johnson  and  Wayne ;  on  the  east  by  Duplin ;  south  by 
Bladen ;  and  west  by  Cumberland. 

Its  capital  is  Clinton,  and  ninety-four  miles  south  from  Raleigh. 

Its  population  in  1850,  was  8,424  whites  ;  476  free  negroes  ;  5,685  slaves ; 
12,311  representative  population. 

Its  products  in  1840,  was  342,300  pounds  of  cotton  ;  2,833  pounds  of  wool ; 
130,951  bushels  of  corn ;  3,872  bushels  of  wheat ;  2,126  bushels  of  oats ;  14,751 
dollars  worth  of  lumber. 

Hon.  Gabriel  Holmes  was  a  native  of  Sampson.  lie  was  educated  under 
Rev.  Dr.  McCorkle,  in  Iredell  County,  and  was  at  Harvard  University.  Read 
law  with  Judge  Taylor,  in  Raleigh.  In  1807  he  represented  Sampson  in  the 
Senate.  Governor  of  the  State  in  1821.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  Con- 
gress in  1825  and  served  until  1829:  an  amiable  and  excellent  man.  Ho  died 
several  years  ago. 

Hon.  William  Rufcs  King,  now  President  of  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  and  Senator  from  Alabama,  is  a  native  of  Sampson. 

In  1808  and  1809,  he  represented  this  county  in  the  House  of  Commons. 

In  1811  to  1816,  he  represented  this  district  in  Congress. 

In  1816,  he  was  appointed  Secretary  of  Legation  to  Russia,  Hon.  William 


402 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Pinkney,  of  Maryland,  being  the  Envoy  Extraordinary  and  Minister  Pleni- 
potentiary.    But  he  soon  returned  and  removed  to  Alabama. 

In  181'J  to  1844,  he  was  Senator  in  Congress  from  Alabama,  and  in  1844, 
•was  appointed,  by  President  Tyler,  Envoy  Extraordinary  to  France.  He  is 
now  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  and  its  Presiding  officer,  since  the 
translation  of  Mr.  Fillmore  to  the  Presidency. 

Altiiough  his  services  have  chiefly  enured  to  the  honor  of  Alabama,  yet  it 
was  in  North  Carolina  he  was  born ;  in  her  Councils  he  first  entered  public 
life.     She  is  proud  of  her  son. 

Members  of  tlie  General  Assembly  from  Sampson  County. 


Years.  Senate. 

17S5.  Richard  Clinton, 

1780.  Kichard  Clinton, 

1787.  Richard  Clinton, 

1788.  Hardy  Holmes, 

1789.  Richard  Clinton, 

1790.  Richard  Clinton, 

1791.  Richard  Clinton, 

1792.  Richard  Clinton, 

1793.  Richard  Clinton, 

1794.  Richard  Clinton, 

1795.  Richard  Clinton, 

1796.  Josiah  Blackman, 

1797.  Gabriel  Holmes, 

1798.  Gal)riel  Holmes, 

1799.  Gabriel  Holmes, 

1800.  Gabriel  Holmes, 

1801.  Gabriel  Holmes, 

1802.  Gabriel  Holmes, 

1803.  Joab  Blackman, 

1804.  Joab  Blackman, 

1805.  -Joab  Blackman, 

1806.  Joab  Blackman, 
1.S07.  Joab  Blackman, 

1808.  Joab  Blackman, 

1809.  Joab  Blackman, 

1810.  Joab  Blackman, 

1811.  Allen  Moblev, 

1812.  Gabriel  Holmes, 

1813.  Gabriel  Holmes, 

1814.  Allen  Mobley, 

1815.  Allen  Mobley, 
181G.  John  Ingram, 

1817.  Michael  J.  Kenan, 

1818.  Michael  J.  Kenan, 

1819.  James  Holmes, 

1820.  Edward  C.  Gavin, 

1821.  Edward  C.  Gavin, 

1822.  William  Robinson, 

1823.  Edward  C.  Gavin, 

1824.  Thomas  Boykin, 
1S25.  Thomas  Boykin, 
1820.  Thomas  Boykin, 

1827.  Hardy  Royal, 

1828.  H;vrdy  Royal, 

1829.  David  Underwood, 

1830.  Edward  C.  Gavin, 

1831.  Thomas  Bovkin, 

1832.  Edward  C.  Gavin, 


House  of  Commons. 
John  Hay,  David  Dodd. 
David  Dodd,  Lewis  Holmes. 
David  Dodd,  Lewis  Holmes. 
Lewis  Holmes,  William  King. 
James  Speller,  James  Thompson. 
William  King,  James  Thompson. 
William  King,  James  Thompson. 
James  Thonjpson,  Wm.  King. 
Laban  Taylor,  Gabriel  Holmes. 
Gabriel  Holmes,  James  Thompson. 
James  Thompson,  Gabriel  Holmes. 
Claiborn  Ivey,  James  Thompson. 
James  Thompson,  Kedar  Bryan. 
Kedar  Bryan,  James  Thompson. 
Wm.  S.  Clinton,  James  Thompson. 
Wm.  S.  Clinton,  James  Thompson. 
Wm.  Robeson,  Joab  Blackman. 
Joab  Blackman,  Wm.  Robeson. 
Raiford  Grumpier,  Allen  Mobley. 
Thomas  King,  Allen  Mobley. 
Allen  Mobley,  Thomas  King. 
Thomas  D.  King,  Allen  Mobley. 
John  Bryan,  William  Blackman. 
Wm.  R.  King,  Jesse  Darden. 
James  Matthews,  Wm.  R.  King. 
James  Matthews,  Hardy  Royal. 
Hardy  Royal,  James  Matthews. 
James  Matthews,  Thomas  King. 
James  Matthews,  William  Blackman. 
Wm.  Blackman,  J.  Matthews. 
Wm.  Blackman,  J.  Matthews. 
Wm.  Blackman,  J.  Matthews. 
James  Matthews,  Wm.  Blackman. 
James  Matthews,  Thomas  Sutton. 
Thomas  Sutton,  John  Sellers. 
J.  Grumpier,  D.  Underwood. 
John  Sellers,  Thomas  Boykin. 
Alexander  Fleming,  Thomas  Boykin. 
John  Sellers,  D.  Underwood. 
J.  Grumpier,  D.  Underwood. 
Daniel  Joyner,  D.  Underwood. 
D.  Underwood,  Thomas  Sutton. 
D.  Underwood,  Thomas  Boykin. 
D.  Underwood,  Thomas  Boykin. 
Dickson  Sloan,  Arch'd  Monk. 
Arch'd  C.  Monk,  Dickson  Sloan. 
Arch'd  C.  Monk,  Dickson  Sloan. 
Arch'd  C.  Monk,  Dickson  Sloan. 


SAMPSON  COUNTY. 


403 


Years.  Senate. 

1833.  Edward  C.  Gavin, 

1834.  Edward  C.  Gavin, 

1835.  Edward  C.  Gavin, 

1836.  Thomas  Bunting, 
1838.  Thomas  Bunting, 
1840.  Dickson  Sloan, 
1842.  John  Boykin, 
1844.  Edward  C.  Gavin, 
1846.  Edward  C.  Gavin, 
1848.  Matthew  J.  Faison, 
1850.  Thomas  Bunting, 


House  of  Commons. 
Arch'd  C.  Monk,  Dickson  Sloan. 
Arch'd  C.  Monk,  Dickson  Sloan. 
Dickson  Sloan,  Isaac  W.  Lane. 
Isaac  W.  Lane,  Dickson  Sloan. 
Timothy  Underwood,  Dickson  Sloan. 
Joseph  Herring,  Isaac  AV".  Lane. 
Joseph  Herring,  E.  C.  Gavin. 
—  Beaman,  David  Murphy. 
David  Murphy,  Arthur  Brown. 
Arthur  Brown,  Amos  Herring. 
Amos  Herring,  J.  L.  Boykin. 


CHAPTER    LXX. 


STANLY  COUNTY. 


Stanly  County  was  formed,  in  1841,  from  the  western  portion 
of  Montgomery,  as  divided  by  the  Pee  Dee  River,  and  is  called  in 
honor  of  Hon.  John  Stanly,  of  Newborn.     (See  Craven.) 

It  is  situated  in  the  western  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded  on 
the  north  by  Rowan  County,  east  by  Montgomery,  south  by  Anson 
and  Union,  and  west  by  Cabarrus. 

Its  capital  is  Albemarle,  and  preserves  the  name  of  one  of  its 
Lords  Proprietors.     (See  Chowan.) 

Her  population,  in  1850,  was  5437  whites  ;  49  free  negroes  ;  1436  slaves; 
6347  representative  population. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Stanly. 


Years.  Senate. 

1844.  Walter  F.  Pharr, 

1846.  Christopher  Melchor, 

1848.  R.  Kendall, 

1850.  Rufus  Barringer, 


House  of  Commons. 

Francis  J.  Locke. 
D.  A.  G.  Palmer. 
D.  A.  G.  Palmer. 
Francis  Locke. 


CHAPTER    LXXI. 


STOKES  COUNTY. 


Stokes  County  was  formed,  in  1789,  from  Surry  County,  and 
called  in  honor  of  Hon.  John  Stokes. 

John  Stokes  was  a  colonel  in  the  Revolution,  and  fought  gallantly  in  the 


404  HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

cause  of  his  country.  lie  vras  with  Colonel  Buford  at  Waxhaw,  about  forty 
miles  from  Charlotte,  when  he  was  attacked  by  Colonel  Tarleton,  on  29th  May, 
1780,  when  Buford  was  defeated  and  the  prisoners  cruelly  murdered  after 
surrendering  to  the  cruel  foe.  Colonel  Stokes  fell  covered  with  wounds. 
His  right  hand  was  cut  off  by  a  sabre,  and  his  life  despaired  of  for  a  long 
time.  His  bravery  in  battle,  his  benevolence  of  character,  and  elevated  mind, 
endeared  him  to  the  affections  of  his  country. 

He  was  appointed,  by  General  Washington,  District  Judge  of  the  United 
States  for  the  District  of  North  Carolina.  He  married  a  daughter  of  Colonel 
Richmond  Pearson,  and  died  at  Fayetteville,  in  Oct.,  1790,  on  his  return  from 
Newbern,  where  he  had  been  to  hold  the  first  court  ever  held  in  the  State 
for  the  United  States.*  He  was  the  elder  brother  of  Governor  Montford 
Stokes. 

Stokes  County  is  located  in  the  north-western  part  of  the  State, 
and  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Virginia  line,  east  by  Rocking- 
ham, south  by  Forsyth,  and  west  by  Surry. 

Its  capital  is  Crawfqrd,  one  hundred  and  ten  miles  north-west 
from  Raleigh. 

Its  population,  in  1850,  was  7264  whites ;  149  free  negroes  ;  1793  slaves  ; 
8492  representative  population. 

Its  products,  in  1840,  were  596,103  lbs.  tobacco  ;  56,481  lbs.  cotton;  3481 
lbs.  wool ;  74,989  bushels  wheat;  107,756  bushels  oats;  8347  bushels  rye  ; 
423,970  bushels  corn. 

This  county,  about  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century, 
was  peopled  by  Moravians  from  Europe,  fleeing  from  religious  per- 
secution. "There  is  not,"  says  Williamson,  in  his  History  of 
North  Carolina,  "a  more  industrious  or  temperate  body  of  men 
than  the  Moravians  who  live  between  the  Dan  and  Yadkin."  The 
land,  seventy  thousand  acres  at  first,  to  which  thirty  thousand  acres 
has  been  added,  was  conveyed  by  the  Government  to  James  Hutton 
in  use  for  the  Uriitas  Fratrum  (united  brethren).  This  was  se- 
cured by  an  act  of  Assembly,  1782.  The  first  colony  arrived  No- 
vember, 1753,  from  Pennsylvania,  by  Winchester,  Virginia,  and 
the  Upper  Saura  towns.  Their  salt  was  brought  from  Virginia; 
their  first  beehive  was  carried  from  Tar  River. 

In  1763  they  built  a  church.  The  property  is  held  somewhat 
in  common,  and  the  clear  profits,  after  paying  expenses,  are  ex- 
pended for  other  public  buildings,  maintaining  ministers,  and  the 
support  of  aged  widows  and  poor  orphans. 

One  of  the  most  celebrated  female  schools  in  the  State  is  at 
Salem,  carried  on  by  the  Moravians  on  their  principles. 

Hon.  Joseph  Wixston  was  the  first  Senator  in  the  Legislature  from  Stokes 
County.     He  lived  near  Germantown. 

He  formed  the  treaty  of  the  Long  Island  of  Holston,  as  Commissioner  from 
North  Carolina,  with  Waightstill  Avery  and  Robert  Lanier,  in  July,  1777. 
He  was  a  major  at  the  battle  of  King's'Mountain  (Oct.,  1780). 

He  was  a  member  of  Congress  from  1793  to  1795,  and  from  1803  to  1807. 
He  was  a  man  of  fine  personal  appearance,  and  not  remarkable  either  for  hia 
acquirements  or  intellect.     He  died  in  1814,  leaving  a  large  family. 

Colonel  Benjamin  Forstthe  lived  and  represented  Stokes  County.  He 
was  a  member  of  Assembly  in  1807,  and  lived  in  Germantown.    He  entered 

*  North  Carohna  Chronicle  and  Fayetteville  Gazette. 


STOKES  COUNTY.  405 

the  army,  in  the  war  of  1812,  as  a  captain,  and  marched  to  Canada.  He  fell 
in  a  skirmish  in  1814,  leaving  one  son,  whom  the  State  adopted,  but  who 
perished  at  sea  in  a  hurricane,  as  a  midshipman  on  board  the  sloop-of-war 
"  The  Hornet." 

Colonel  James  Martin  resided  in  this  county.  He  was  born  in  New  Jer- 
sey in  1742,  and,  in  1774  he  removed  to  this  county,  then  Guilford.  He 
was  the  brother  of  Alexander  Martin,  who  was  afterwards  Governor  of  the 
State,  with  whom,  in  1775,  he  marched  as  Colonel  of  the  Guilford  Militia 
against  the  Tories  at  Fayetteville.  In  1776  he  accompanied  General  Ruther- 
ford with  his  command  on  the  expedition  against  the  Cherokees.  John 
Paisly  was  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment.  On  his  return,  the  Tories  in 
Randolph,  under  Colonel  William  Fields,  embodied  and  endeavored  to  join 
the  British  at  Wilmington.  Col.  Martin  directed  Captain  Gillaspie,  with  his 
light  horse,  to  intercept  him,  which  was  done,  and  Fields  was  captured. 

He  was  with  the  North  Carolina  troops  at  the  battle  of  Guilford  Court 
House  (15th  March,  1781).  After  this  he  marched  with  two  hundred  troops, 
with  General  Rutherford,  to  dislodge  the  English  under  Major  Craig,  then  in 
Wilmington,  who,  on  hearing  of  the  capture  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  evacuated 
the  place.  This  terminated  his  military  career.  He  died  a  few  years  ago. 
The  late  Judge  James  Martin  was  one  of  his  sons. 

Colonel  Martin  received  a  pension  from  the  United  States,  for  his  services 
in  the  Revolution.  His  application,  a  copy  of  which  is  before  me,  procured 
from  the  records  of  the  War  Office,  shows  his  active  service  and  chivalric 
bearing,  in  "days  that  tried  men's  souls." 

Colonel  John  Martin  lived  near  the  Saura  Mountain,  in  this  county.  He 
was  a  native  of  Essex  County,  Virginia,  and  removed  in  1768,  when  only 
twelve  years  of  age,  to  this  county.  He  was  a  man  of  great  energy,  indomi- 
table courage,  and  of  infinite  humor.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  patriotism, 
spirit  and  independence,  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  his  dangerous  con- 
flicts with  the  Tories.  He,  and  his  ^^Jidiis  Achates,"  Joshua  Cox,  raised  a 
small  force  and  attacked  them,  and  routed  them  out  of  the  country.  On  one 
occasion,  in  a  hard  skirmish,  old  Joshua,  his  friend  and  comrade,  was  shot 
and  left  for  dead,  and  his  horse  shot  also  lying  by  him.  Much  joy  was  caused 
among  the  Royalists  ;  but  it  was  subdued  when  they  learned  that  both  man 
and  horse  had  recovered  so  for  as  to  be  able  to  reach  the  camp.  In  one  of 
these  skirmishes  Colonel  Martin  received  a  buck  shot  in  the  temple,  which 
he  carried  to  his  grave. 

He  was  the  very  man  for  such  forays  ;  bold,  ardent,  active  and  impulsive, 
he  did  much  to  subdue  the  Tory  influence. 

After  the  independence  of  our  country  was  established,  he  continued  to 
serve  his  county  as  a  Representative  in  the  Assembly,  and  as  a  Magistrate. 
He  was  in  the  House  of  Commons  in  1798.  For  thirty  years  he  presided  in 
the  County  Court,  that  "  eternal  comedy  of  errors,"  as  it  has  been  termed  by 
Julian  Picot.  Many  occurrences  are  remembered  illustrative  of  his  droll 
humor,  and  his  keen  perception  of  the  ludicrous.  His  mind,  naturally  acute, 
perceived  the  points  of  the  case  before  the  court,  and  his  firmness  always 
maintained  the  right  without  respect  of  persons.  He  wielded  his  powers 
sometimes  without  injich  ceremony. 

On  one  occasion,  wtiile  selecting  jurors  for  the  Superior  Court,  the  name  of 
Jacob  Salmons  was  drawn.  "  He  won't  do  for  a  juror,"  says  Martin.  It  was 
replied,  that  he  was  a  Justice  of  the  Peace,  "  I  know  that,"  says  Martin, 
"  but  I  say,  he  won't  do."  Then  it  was  stated  that  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Legislature.  "I  know  that,  too,"  replied  Martin,  "  Salmons  may  do  to  try 
little  cases  in  his  neighborhood,  and  to  sit  in  the  County  Court,  and  even  go  to 
Raleigh ;  but  we  shall  have  a  Judge  around  among  us  at  the  Superior  Court, 
and  he  will  make  a  bad  show  before  a  Judge.  His  name  goes  out,"  and  out 
the  name  went. 

It  was  the  remark  of  a  distinguished  Judge,  that  this  county  was  remark- 
able for  the  intelligence  of  its  juries. 


406  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Tn  politics  as  in  war,  he  was  active,  ardent,  and  impulsive.  His  fre- 
quent contests  -witli  Gotleib  Siiober,  Esq.,  are  still  remembered  in  Stokes. 
Shober  had  the  industry  and  tenacity  of  the  German ;  Martin,  the  energy 
and  humor  of  the  Cavalier.  Shober  was  a  lawyer,  and  took  much  satis- 
faction in  managing  cases  in  court,  adverse  to  Colonel  Martin,  in  which 
he  sometimes  came  off  second  best.  On  one  occasion  he  had  a  writ  served  on 
Martin,  as  he  was  on  his  way  to  Ilaleigh.  Martin  wrote  to  a  friend  to  attend 
the  County  Court,  which  would  occur  in  his  absence,  and  enter  his  plea  to 
the  suit.  It  was  an  action  of  deceit,  in  a  horse  swap.  His  orders  were  to 
X>\c!id  "I  detiy  (he  fact." 

At  court,  when  Shober  saw  the  plea,  he  said  nothing,  knowing  the  plea 
was  wrong,  and  he  was  confident  of  victory  on  the  trial  of  the  issue  at  the 
next  court.  The  court  came,  and  Martin  appeared  in  proper  person  aiding 
his  lawyer  to  defend  the  wrong.  His  counsel  moved  to  amend  his  plea,  but 
Shober  objected.  Martin  then  proposed  that  he  would  go  to  trial  on  this  issue, 
and  no  other  counsel  but  Shober  and  he  should  appear.  Like  the  gallant 
Douglas,  in  the  famed  battle  of  Chevy  Chase — 

"  Let's  you  and  I  this  battle  try, 

And  set  our  men  aside. 
'Accursed  be  he,'  the  Percy  said, 
'  By  whom  this  is  denied.'  " 

Thev  went  into  the  trial,  and  the  facts  being  with  Martin  in  his  defence, 
from  his  peculiar  manner,  and  severe  irony,  he  completely  demolished  Shober, 
gained  his  cause,  convulsing  the  Court,  JBar,  and  Jury,  with  his  inimitable 
humor.  Thus  settling  in  the  annals  of  jurisprudence  of  Stokes,  that  the  plea 
of  non  est  factum  is  a  proper  plea  to  an  action  for  deceit,  and  means  that  it  is 
not  a  fact. 

Nor  were  his  efforts  at  the  bar  confined  to  the  County  Courts.  On  one  occa- 
sion he  had  an  important  suit  involving  a  land  title.  His  Honor,  Judge 
Paxton,  of  Rutherford,  was  on  the  bench.  After  the  witnesses  had  been  ex- 
amined, in  which  he  showed  his  tact  and  perfect  knowledge  of  his  case,  he  com- 
menced his  argument  by  alluding  to  the  fact  that  he  had  employed  no  counsel, 
relying  on  the  justice  of  his  cause,  and  the  integrity  of  the  court,  for  His 
Honor,  he  said,  "  was  like  himself,  a  backwoods  Judge."  Judge  Paxton  was 
furious  at  this  gaucherie  of  poor  Martin.  Nothing  but  the  interposition  of  the 
bar  (by  whom  he  was  idolized)  saved  him  from  fine  and  imprisonment  for  a 
contempt  of  Court. 

He  died  in  April,  1822,  and  left  many  children  to  inherit  his  virtues,  and 
emuli,te  his  example.  The  mother  of  General  John  Gray  Bynum,  of  Ruther- 
fordton,  and  of  Willian  Preston  Bynum,  of  Lincoln,  was  his  daughter. 

Hon.  JoHX  Hill  resides  in  Stokes.  He  entered  public  life  in  1819,  as  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  continued  until  1823,  when  he  was 
elected  to  the  Senate,  in  which  capacity  he  served  several  years. 

In  1839  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  served  until  1841. 

In  1850  he  was  the  Reading  Clerk  of  the  Senate. 

Hon.  AcGCSTiNE  H.  Shepperd  is  a  resident  of  Stokes.  He  was  born  in  Surry. 

He  is  by  profession  a  lawyer,  and  entered  public  life  in  1822,  as  a  member 
of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  continued  until  1826. 

In  1827  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  served  until  1839. 

He  was  again  elected  in  1841,  and  served  until  1843. 

And  again  in  1S47,  and  served  until  March  4th,  1851,  when  he  declined  a 
re-election. 

He  married  Miss  Turner,  of  Washington,  by  whom  he  has  a  lovely  family. 

An  anecdote  is  narrated,  the  wit  of  which  may  relieve  the  dry  detail  of 
facts  and  figures,  as  regards  Mr.  Shepperd  and  his  friend,  John  F.  Poindexter, 
Esq.,  late  Solicitor-General.  When  married,  Mr.  Shepperd  was  of  rather  an 
uncertain  age  ;  and  on  introducing  his  young  and  blooming  bride  to  his  old 


STOKES  COUNTY. 


407 


friend  "  I  am  glad  to  see,"  said  Mrs.  S.,  "  an  old  friend  of  Mr.  Shepperd  s,  for 
now  I'shall  know,  what  he  never  will  tell,  his  exact  age.  "  How  old,  pray,  Mr. 
Poindexter  is  3Ir.  Shepperd  ?  he  declares  to  me  he  is  only  thirty.  1  he  bolicitor- 
General  was  in  a  dilemma,  but,  like  all  good  generals  he  came  off  victorious. 
"  Madam,  I  am  sure  you  should  believe  him,  for  he  has  told  me  the  self-same 
tale  for  these  twenty  years." 

List  of  members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Stokes  County 
from  its  formation  to  the  last  session. 

House  of  Commons. 
George  Hauser,  Absalom  Bostick. 
James  Martin,  Absalom  Bostick. 
James  Martin,  George  Ilouser. 
George  Houser,  Absalom  Bostick. 
Absalom  Bostick,  George  Houser. 
Absalom  Bostick,  George  Houser. 
Wm.  Hughlet,  George  Houser. 
AVm.  Hughlet,  Charles  Banner. 
John  Martin,  Charles  Banner. 
John  Martin,  Charles  Banner. 
Henry  B.  Dobson,  Charles  Banner. 
John  Bostick,  Charles  Banner. 
Charles  Banner,  Henry  B.  Dobson. 
Henry  B.  Dobson,  John  Bostick. 
John  Bostick,  Henry  B.  Dobson. 
Henry  B.  Dobson,  Isaac  Dalton. 
John  Bostick,  Isaac  Dalton. 
Jacob  Salmons,  Benjamin  Forsythe. 
Jona.  Dalton,  Benjamin  Forsythe. 
Jona.  Dalton,  Charles  Banner. 
Joseph  Wilson,  Isaac  Nelson. 
James  Martin,  Joseph  Wilson. 
James  Martin,  Joseph  Wilson. 

Thos.  Longina,  Charles  F.  Bagge. 

Wm.  P.  Dobson,  Isaac  Dalton. 

Isaac  Dalton,  Joseph  Allen. 

Joseph  Allen,  William  Hughes. 

John  L.  Hauser,  Joseph  Winston. 

Jacob  Salmons,  Sam'l  Welch. 

Edward  Tatum,  John  Hill. 

John  Hill,  Salathiel  Stone. 

John  Hill,  Jos.  M.  Flynt. 

Augustine  H.  Shepperd,  John  Hill. 

Augustine  II.  Shepperd,  Jos.  M.  Flynt. 

Augustine  II.  Shepperd,  Jos.  M.  FlynL 

A.  H   Shepperd,  Wm.  Carter. 

A.  H.  Shepperd,  Wm.  Carter. 

Jacob  Salmons,  Elisha  Plummer. 

Gab.  T.  Moore,  Henry  A.  Martin. 

John  Banner,  John  Butner. 

Leonard  Zigler,  Jos.  W.  AVinston. 

Jos.  AV.  Winston,  Leonard  Zigler. 

John  F.  Poindexter,  Leonard  Zigler. 

Leonard  Zigler,  Jno.  F.  Poindexter. 

John  F.  Poindexter,  Leonard  Zigler. 

Caleb  II.  Matthews,  John  F.  Poindexter. 

Caleb  H.  Matthews,  Jas.  M.  Covington, 
Peter  Critz. 

Caleb.  H.  Matthews,  Jas.  M.  Covington, 
Jas.  Stafford. 


Years. 

1790. 

1791. 

1792. 

1793. 

1794. 

1795. 

1796. 

1797. 

1798. 

1799. 

1800. 

1801. 

1802. 

1803. 

1804. 

1805. 

1806. 

1807. 

1808. 

1809. 

1810. 

1811. 

1812. 

1813. 
1814. 

1815. 

1816. 

1817. 

1818. 

1819. 

1820. 

1821. 

1822. 

1823. 

1824. 

1825. 

1826. 

1827. 

1828. 

1829. 

1830. 

1831. 

1832. 

1833. 

1834. 
1835. 
1836, 


Senate. 
Joseph  Winston, 
Joseph  Winston, 
Peter  Harston, 
Matthew  Brooks, 
Matthew  Brooks, 
INIatthew  Brooks, 
Peter  Harston, 
Matthew  Brooks, 
Matthew  Brooks, 
Peter  Harston, 
Peter  Harston, 
Wm.  T.  Hughlett, 
Joseph  Winston, 
Joseph  Cloud, 
Wm.  Hughlett, 
Gotlieb  Shober, 
Johnston  Clements, 
Joseph  Winston, 
Gotleib  Shober, 
Henry  B.  Dobson, 
Henry  B.  Dobson, 
Henry  B.  Dobson, 
Joseph  AVinston, 
Edward  Moore, 
Andrew  Bowman, 
Andrew  Bowman, 
Isaac  Nelson, 
Joseph  Allen, 
Charles  Banner, 
Emmanuel  Shober, 
Emmanuel  Shober, 
Arch'd  R.  Ruffin, 
Emmanuel  Shober, 
John  Hill, 
Emmanuel  Shober, 
John  Hill, 
John  Hill, 
Emmanuel  Shober, 
Emmanuel  Shober, 
Gab.  T.  Moore, 
John  Hill, 
John  Hill, 
Gab.  T.  Moore, 
Matthew  R.  Moore, 
AVilliam  Flynt, 
Matthew  R.  Moore, 
,    Matthew  R.  Moore, 


1838.    Matthew  R.  Moore, 
35 


408  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1840.     Matthew  II.  Moore,     J.    M.  _  Covington,   Leon.  Zigler,   William 

Withers. 

1842.     Jas.  Stafford,  Jacob  Shulze,   John   F.  Nelson,  Wm.  A. 

Mitchell. 

1846.    John  F.  Poindexter,    R.  Golding,  II.  Marshall  IMartin. 

1848.     John  Hill,  Andrew  Gamble,  John  Blackburn,  Ander- 

son Nicholson. 

1850.     Philip  Barrow,  Allen   Flynt,   Henry   Marshall,   Jesse    A. 

Waugh. 


CHAPTER    LXXII. 


SUKRY  COUNTY. 


Surry  County  was  formed,  in  1770,  from  Rowan  County; 
■which  until  this  date  comprehended  a  large  portion  of  Western 
North  Carolina,  from  beyond  the  Yadkin  to  the  Mississippi  River, 

It  derives  its  name  from  the  County  of  Surry  in  the  south  of 
England.     Its  name  is  Saxon,  and  signifies  "  the  South  River." 

Surry  County  is  situated  in  the  north-western  portion  of  North 
Carolina. 

It  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Virginia  line,  east  by  Stokes 
County,  south  by  Yadkin,  and  west  by  AVilkes  and  Ashe. 

Its  capital  is  Rockford,  and  is  distant  from  Raleigh  one  hundred 
and  ten  miles  north-west. 

Its  population  (1850),  16,171  whites;  272  free  negroes;  2,000  slaves; 
17,643  representative  population. 

Its  products  (1840),  484,976  bushels  corn;  20,542  bushels  rye;  48,804 
busb'^ls  wheat ;  115,018  bushels  oats;  83,070  lbs.  tobacco;  67,228  lbs.  cot- 
ton ;  16,839  lbs.  wool ;  108  tons  iron. 

In  1775  Surry  was  a  frontier  county.  The  Mulberry  Field 
Meeting  House*  in  the  upper  end  was  the  only  place  of  meeting. 
The  men  generally  dressed  in  hunting  shirts,  short  breeches,  leg- 
gings and  moccasons,  and  the  women  in  linsey  petticoats  and  bed- 
gowns, and  in  summer  often  without  shoes.  Some  had  bonnets 
made  of  calico,  and  others  wore  men's  hats.f 

The  patriotism  of  the  women  of  this  region  deserves  a  perpetual 
record.  It  was  their  heroic  conduct  that  inspired  their  husbands 
and  sons  in  the  cause  of  liberty.  They  urged  the  men  to  leave 
home,  and  to  prefer  to  die  than  be  slaves;  while  they  staid  at  home 
and  worked  with  their  own  hands  at  the  plough  and  with  the  hoe, 
by  day,  to  provide  sustenance  for  their  families,  and  at  night  with 
the  spinning-wheel  and  loom  they  made  the  clothing.| 


*  Where  ihe  town  of  Wilkesboro'  now  stands. 

t  MSS.  of  General  Lenoir,  furnished  by  W.  W.  Lenoir. 


i  M33.  of  General  Lenoir. 


SURRY  COUNTY.  409 

In  this  county  is  the  celebrated  Ararat,  or  Pilot  Mountain. 
It  rises  gradually  to  the  height  of  several  hundred  feet,  and  termi- 
nates in  a  flat  surface,  from  the  summit  of  "which  there  is  a  noble 
view  of  the  sui-rounding  country.  This  mountain  can  be  seen  for 
sixty  or  seventy  miles,  and  was  called  Pilot  Mountain  by  the  In- 
dians,, as  it  served  as  a  guide  in  their  hunting  and  war  routes. 

The  delegates  from  Surry  to  the  Convention  at  Hillsboro',  in  1775,  -were, 
Robert  Lanier,  Joseph  AVilliams,  William  Hill,  Martin  Armstrong,  Jo- 
seph Winston. 

The  officers  appointed  from  Surry,  177G,  were,  Martin  Armstrong,  Co- 
lonel ;  Joseph  Williams,  Lieutenant-Colonel ;  William  Hall,  Major;  Joseph 
Winston,  2d  Major. 

Colonel  Joseph  Williams  settled  in  this  county  near  Shallow  Ford,  before 
the  Revolutionary  war.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  enterprise,  activity, 
and  patriotism.  He  was  a  Colonel  of  militia  in  the  Revolution,  and  was  ac- 
tive in  subduing  the  Tories.  He  died  at  a  good  old  age,  loved  and  respected 
by  all  who  knew  him. 

He  married  Miss  Lanier,  a  woman  of  strong  mind  and  exemplary  virtues. 
From  this  marriage,  sprang, 

1.  General  Robert  Williams,  a  man  of  distinguished  attainments,  great 
research,  and  acute  intellect.  The  only  copy  of  the  acts,  public  and  private, 
of  the  General  Assembly  now  extant,  was  collected  by  his  labor.  I  have 
been  so  fortunate  as  to  procure  them,  and  have  filed  them  on  the  Archives  of 
the  Historical  Society  at  Chapel  Hill. 

He  was  a  member  of  Congress  from  1797  to  1803.  He  was  the  Adjutant- 
General  of  the  State  during  the  war,  when  this  office  was  no  sinecure,  and 
he  faithfully  discharged  its  laborious  duties.  He  moved  to  Tennessee,  where 
he  died. 

2.  John  Williams,  who  was  distinguished  in  Tennessee  as  a  Colonel  at 
the  battles  of  Tohopeka  or  Horse  Shoe,  on  the  Tallapoosa,  between  General 
Jackson  and  the  Creek  Indians.  A  long  and  desperate  battle.  He  died  in 
Tennessee.  He  married  a  sister  of  Honorable  Hugh  Lawson  White,  leaving 
a  son,  Joseph  L.  Williams,  whose  daughter  is  the  wife  of  Hon.  R.  M.  Pear- 
son, one  of  our  Supreme  Court  Judges. 

3.  Lewis  Williams,  of  this  county,  who  is  well  known  in  the  history  of 
this  county  as  a  distinguished  and  patriotic  statesman.  He  entered  public 
life  in  1813,  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  was  re-elected  in  1814. 

In  1815  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  served  continuously 
until  1842  ;  a  long  career  in  one  place  proves  the  sincerity  of  his  character, 
and  the  confidence  of  his  constituents.  His  life,  compiled  from  his  papers, 
would  form  a  most  valuable  addition  to  our  history.  He  was  much  respected 
in  Congress,  for  his  sound  judgment,  inflexible  integrity,  and  unwavering 
consistency  ;  and  received  by  universal  consent  the  title  of  "  the  Father  of 
the  House."  If  he  was  by  fortune  childless,  this  noisy  brood  doubtless  more 
than  filled  his  paternal  anxieties.  He  died  in  Congress  on  the  23d  Februarv, 
1842. 

His  twin  brother,  Thomas  Lanier  Williams,  is  equally  distinguished. 
Ue  is  now  Chancellor  of  the  State  of  Tennessee. 

4.  Dr.  Alexander  Williams,  of  Greenville,  Tennessee. 

5.  Nicholas  Lanier  Williams,  of  this  county. 


410  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

6.  Rebecca,  -who  married  John  AYinbush  of  Halifax,  Virginia, 

7.  Fanxt,  who  married  John  P.  Irwin,  of  Nashville,  Tennessee ;  and 

8.  Major  Joseph  Williams,  of  Surry  county,  who  is  now  dead;  leaving 
several  sons  and  three  daughters,  one  of  whom  is  Mrs.  James  R.  Dodge, 
wife  of  Col.  Dodge,  now  Clerk  of  our  Supreme  Court,  at  Morganton. 

lion.  Jesse  Franklix  was  of  Surry  county.  He  was  distinguished  for  his 
sincere  patriotism,  sound  sense,  and  unassuming  deportment. 

In  1794  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

In  1795  ho  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  served  in  the  House  un- 
til 1797. 

In  1797  he  was  again  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons. 

In  1799  he  was  elected  Senator  in  Congress,  and  served  until  1805.  In 
1805  and  1806  he  was  Senator  from  Surry,  and  was  elected  again  to  the  Se- 
nate of  the  United  States  in  1807,  and  served  until  1813. 

In  1820  he  succeeded  John  Branch  as  Governor  of  the  State. 

A  long  and  successful  career,  which  evinces  his  personal  worth  and  popu- 
larity. 

Hon.  Meshach  Franklin  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  in  1800, 
a  member  of  Congress  from  1807  to  1815,  and  Senator  from  this  county  in 
1828  and  1829.     He  died  in  December,  1841. 

Thomas  J.  Word  was  a  native  of  Surry,  and  represented  the  county  in  the 
House  of  Commons  in  1832.     He  moved  to  Mississippi,  and  was  a  member  of 

Congi'ess  in  1838  from  that  State. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Surry  County,  from  the 
formation  of  the  Constitution  in  1776  to  the  last  Session,  1850-51. 

years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1777.  Wm.  Sheppard,  Jos.  Winston,  Charles  Gordon. 

1778.  Wm.  Sheppard,  Matthew  Brooks,  Frederick  Miller. 

1779.  Wm.  Sheppard,  Gray  Bynum,  Frederick  Miller. 

1780.  Wm.  Sheppard,  Samuel  Cummings,  Samuel  Freeman. 

1781.  Wm.  Sheppard,  Samuel  Cummings,  Wm.  T.  Lewis. 

1782.  Wm.  Sheppard,  Samuel  Cummings,  Trangott  Bagge. 

1783.  Martin  Armstrong,  Wm.  T.  Lewis,  James  Martin, 

1784.  John  Armstrong,  Joel  Lewis,  James  Martin. 

1785.  John  Armstrong,  James  Martin,  William  Lewis. 

1786.  John  Armstrong,  James  Martin,  William  Lewis. 

1787.  .Joseph  Winston,  Jas.  Gaines,  Seth  Coffee. 
178S.  John  Armstrong,  George  Houser,  AVm.  T.  Lewis. 
17S9.  Joseph  Winston,  Gideon  Edwards,  Absalom  Bostiok, 

1790.  Joseph  Winston,  Jonathan  Haines,  Jacob  Sheppard. 

1791.  Gideon  Edwards,  Jonathan  Haines,  Jacob  Sheppard. 

1792.  Gideon  Edwards,  Jonathan  Haines,  Jacob  Sheppard. 

1793.  Gideon  Edwards,  Henry  Speer,  Jesse  Franklin. 

1794.  Gideon  Edwards,  Jesse  Franklin,  Micajah  Oglesby. 

1795.  Gideon  Edwards,  Micajah  Oglesby,  Hugh  Armstrong. 

1796.  Gideon  Edwards,  Hugh  Armstrong,  Francis  Poindexter. 

1797.  Gideon  Edwards,  Jesse  Franklin,  Hugh  Armstrong, 

1798.  Gideon  Edwards,  Jesse  Franklin,  Thomas  Wright. 

1799.  Gideon  Edwards,  Martin  Armstrong,  Joseph  Williams,  .Jr. 

1800.  Gideon  Edwards,  Meshach  Franklin,  Thomas  Wright. 

1801.  Gideon  Edwards,  Thomas  Wright,  Meshach  Franklin, 
1«02,  Gideon  Edwards,  Thomas  Wright,  Nicholas  Horn. 

1803.  Gideon  Edwards,  Thomas  AVright,  Nicholas  Horn. 

1804.  Peter  Eaton,  Micajah  Oglesby.  Nicholas  Horn. 

1805.  Jes.se  Franklin,  Nicholas  Horn,*David  Davis. 

1806.  Jesse  Franklin,  Nicholas  Horn,  Nathan  Chaffin. 


TYRRELL  COUNTY. 


411 


Years.  Senate. 

1807.  Thomas  Wright, 

1808.  Thomas  "Wright, 

1809.  Gideon  Edwards, 

1810.  Thomas  Wright, 

1811.  Thomas  Wright, 

1812.  Thomas  Wright, 

1813.  Thomas  Wright, 

1814.  Thomas  Wright, 

1815.  Thomas  Wright, 

1816.  Thomas  Wright, 

1817.  Thomas  Wright, 

1818.  Wm.  P.  Dobson, 

1819.  AVm.  P.  Dobson, 

1820.  Solomon  Graves, 

1821.  Solomon  Graves, 

1822.  Solomon  Graves, 

1823.  Solomon  Graves, 

1824.  Pleasant  B.  Roberts, 

1825.  Henry  B.  Poindexter, 

1826.  Pleasant  B.  Roberts, 

1827.  Wra.  P.  Dobson, 

1828.  Meshach  Franklin, 

1829.  Meshach  Franklin, 

1830.  Wm.  P.  Dobson, 

1831.  Wm.  P.  Dobson, 

1832.  Wm.  P.  Dobson, 

1833.  Wm.  P.  Dobson, 

1834.  Wm.  P.  Dobson, 

1835.  Harrison  M.  Waugh, 

1836.  Wm.  P.  Dobson, 

1838.  Meshach  Franklin, 

1840.  Pt.  C.  Puryear, 

1842.  Wm.  P.  Dobson, 

1844.  A.  B.  McMillan, 

1846.  A.  B.  McMillan, 

1848.  George  Bower, 

1850.  George  Bower, 


House  of  Commons. 

Nicholas  Horn,  Daniel  Scott. 
Nicholas  Horn,  Micajah  Oglesby. 
Nicholas  Horn,  William  Dowling. 
Nicholas  Horn,  Matthew  M.  Hughes. 
Nicholas  Horn,  Charles  Taliaferro. 
Nicholas  Horn,  Charles  Taliaferro. 
Lewis  Williams,  Charles  Taliaferro. 
Lewis  Williams,  Nicholas  Horn. 
Edward  Sweatt,  Gabriel  Hanby. 
Gabriel  Hanby,  Josiah  Hatley. 
Josiah  Hatley,  Edward  Sweatt. 
Solomon  Graves,  H.  B.  Poindexter. 
Solomon  Graves,  Edward  Lovell. 
Henry  B.  Poindexter,  P.  B.  Roberts. 
Thomas  Hampton,  Pleasant  B.  Roberts. 
E.  Thompson,  P.  B.  Roberts. 
T.  B.  Wright,  E.  Thompson. 
David  Durrett,  W.  C.  Martin. 
David  Durrett,  Golihu  Moore, 
Elisha  Arnold,  Golihu  Moore. 
Wm.  Douglas,  Ephraim  Hough. 
Mordecai  Fleming,  Alfred  C.  Moore. 
Alfred  C.  Moore,  Ephraim  Hough. 
Mordecai  Fleming,  Alfred  C.  Moore. 
Daniel  W.  Courts,  Mordecai  Fleming. 
Thomas  J.  AVord,  Daniel  W.  Courts. 
Daniel  W.  Courts,  Harrison  M.  Waugh. 
H.  M.  Waugh,  Pleasant  Henderson. 
Thomas  L.  Clingman,  Mordecai  Fleming. 
Daniel  W.  Courts,  P.  B.  Roberts,  James 

Calloway. 
R.    C.   Puryear,    Nathaniel    Boy  den,    M. 

Oglesby. 
Nathaniel  Boyden,  Columbus  Franklin,  H. 

B.  Poindexter. 
Dickson  Taliaferro,  Theo.  C.  Houser,  Jno. 

J.  Conrad. 
R.  C.  Puryear,  Brown,  Ta- 
liaferro. 
R.    C.    Puryear,    Gwynn,    James 

Sheek. 
James   Sheek,    Williams,    

Oglesbv. 


J.  R.  McLean,  James  Sheek,  Joseph  Cock- 
erhan. 


CHAPTER   LXXIII. 


TYRRELL  COUNTY. 


Tyrrell  County  is  one  of  tlie  oldest  counties  in  the  State,  and 
one  of  the  original  precincts  of  the  Lords  Proprietors. 


412  HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

It  derives  its  name  from  Sir  John  Tyrrell,  who  owned  that 
part  of  the  province  originally  granted  to  Lord  Ashlj.* 

Tyrrell  County  is  located  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State,  and 
is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Albemarle  Sound,  east  by  the 
Pamlico  Sound  and  Atlantic  ocean,  south  by  Hyde,  and  west  by 
Washington  Coimty. 

Its  capital,  Columbia,  is  two  hundred  miles  east  of  Raleigh. 

Its  population  (1850),  3,296  whites;  130  free  negroes;  1,702  slaves; 
4,448  representative  population. 

Products  (1840),  108,041  bushels  of  corn  ;  22,961  pounds  of  cotton  ;  8,081 
bushels  of  wheat;  2,517  bushels  of  oats  ;  2,928  pounds  of  wool ;  4,149  bar- 
rels of  fish  ;  74,194  dollars  worth  of  lumber. 

Colonel  Richard  Buncombe  resided  in  this  County.  He  was  a  native  of 
St.  Kitts,  one  of  the  islands  of  the  West  Indies. 

He  was  educated  in  England,  and  a  man  of  superior  native  intellect  and 
fine  personal  appearance.  His  uncle,  Joseph  Buncombe,  of  Tyrrell,  dying, 
left  his  estate  to  his  nephew,  and,  in  1776,  he  removed  with  his  family  to  this 
County. 

Being  a  man  of  large  fortune,  he  brought  to  North  Carolina  much  vrcalth, 
which,  in  the  struggles  of  his  adopted  country  for  independence,  he  fearlessly 
placed  on  the  side  of  liberty. 

In  April,  1770,  he  was  appointed  to  command  the 5th  regiment  of  the  North 
Carolina  line  in  the  Continental  Army.  lie  raised,  upon  his  own  resources, 
a  regiment  from  the  territory  now  composed  of  Tyrrell  and  Washington,  and 
kept  them  for  more  than  twelve  months  on  his  individual  charge,  preparing 
them  in  the  arts  of  war.  He  joined  his  regiment,  and  marched  to  the  north. 
In  the  battle  of  Germantown  (1777),  he  was  severely  wounded  and  taken 
prisoner.  He  died  soon  after  at  Philadelpliia,  while  on  parole,  from  the 
efi"ects  of  his  wounds.  He  left  three  children  ;  one  son,  who  died  without 
issue,  and  two  daughters,  one  Avho  married  Dr.  Goellet,  of  Washington,  and 
the  other  married  Mr.  Clark,  of  Bertie  Count}'. 

Colonel  Buncombe  was  distinguished  for  his  martial  appearance,  his  chi- 
valric  daring,  and  unbounded  hospitality.  Worthily  is  his  name  preserved 
to  North  Carolina  in  one  of  her  mountain  counties,  for  he  died  to  secure 
that  liberty  she  now  enjoys. 

GENERAL  Hezekiah  G.  Spruill  Tcsidcs  in  Tyrrell. 

He  entered  the  Legislature  in  1836,  as  Senator  from  Tyrrell,  and  served 
continuously  until  1842. 
He  is  now  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Internal  Improvements  of  the  State. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Tyrrell  County,  from 
adoption  of  the  Constitution,  1776,  to  last  session,  1850-51. 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1777.  Archibald  Currie,  Benjamin  Spruill,  John  Hooker. 

1778.  Joremiah  Frazier,  Joshua  Swain,  Benjamin  Spruill. 

1779.  Jeremiah  Frazier,  Benjamin  Spruill,  Joshua  Swain. 

1780.  Jeremiah  Frazier,  John  Warrington,  Edmund  Blount. 

1781.  Jeremiah  Frazier,  Isham  Webb,  Nehemiah  Norman. 

1782.  Jeremiah  Frazier,  Nehemiah  Norman,  Nathan  Hooker. 
1783^  Jeremiah  Frazier,  Nehemiah  Norman,  Nathan  Hooker. 
1784.  Jeremiah  Frazier,  Benjamin  Spruill,  Nathan  Hooker. 
178o,  John  A\  arrington,  Nehemiah  Norman,  Nathan  Hooker. 
1780.  John  Warrington,  Simon  Spruill,  Nathan  Hooker. 
1787.  John  Warrington,  Simon  Spruill,  Benjamin  Spruill. 

*  Williamson's  History  of  North  Carolina,  i.  301. 


TYRRELL  COUNTY. 


413 


Years.  Senate. 

1788.  Thomas  Stewart, 

1790.  Thomas  .Stewart, 

1791.  Thomas  Stewart, 

1792.  John  Warrington, 

1793.  John  Warrington, 

1794.  Richard  Ilowett, 

1795.  llichard  Ilowett, 

1796.  llichard  Ilowett, 

1797.  Charles  Spruill, 

1798.  Charles  Spruill, 

1799.  Charles  Spruill, 

1800.  Samuel  Spruill, 

1801.  Samuel  Spruill, 

1802.  Richard  Davis, 

1803.  Richard  Pavis, 

1804.  Richard  Davis, 

1805.  Richard  Davis, 

1806.  Richard  Davis, 

1807.  Richard  Davis, 

1808.  Jesse  Alexander, 

1809.  James  Alexander, 

1810.  Jesse  Alexander, 

1811.  Zebulon  Tarkington, 

1812.  Zebulon  Tarkington, 

1813.  Charles  Hoskins, 

1814.  Charles  Iloskins, 

1815.  Charles  Iloskins, 
1810.  Charles  Iloskins, 

1817.  Zebulon  Tarkington, 

1818.  Zebulon  Tarkington, 

1819.  Richard  Davis, 

1820.  Richard  Davis, 

1821.  John  B.  Beasley, 

1822.  John  B.  Beasley, 

1823.  John  B.  Beasley, 

1824.  John  B.  Beasley, 

1825.  John  B.  Beasley, 

1826.  John  B.  Beasley, 

1827.  John  B.  Beasley, 

1828.  John  B.  Beasley, 

1829.  John  B.  Beasley, 

1830.  John  B.  Beasley, 

1831.  Daniel  N.  Bateman, 

1832.  Daniel  N.  Bateman, 

1833.  Ephraira  Mann, 

1834.  Ephraim  Mann, 

1835.  George  II.  Alexander, 

1836.  Hez.  G.  Spruill, 
1838.  Hez.  G.  Spruill, 
1840.  Hez.  G.  Spruill, 
1842.  Hez.  G.  Spruill, 
1844.  Joseph  Ilalsy, 
1846.  Joseph  Ilalsv, 
1848.  Joseph  Ilalsy, 
1850.  Thomas  E.  Pender, 


House  of  Commons. 
Simon  Spruill,  Samuel  Chesson. 
Simon  Spruill,  Samuel  Chesson. 
Hezekiah  Spruill,  Richard  Ilowett. 
Simon  Spruill,  Charles  Spruill. 
Simon  Spruill,  Charles  Spruill. 
Charles  Spruill,  Levi  Blount. 
Charles  Spruill,  Robert  Cushing. 
Charles  Spruill,  John  Guyther. 
John  Guyther,  James  Hoskins. 
Martin  R.  Byrd,  James  Hoskins. 
John  Clayton,  Samuel  Spruill. 
John  Clayton,  Thomas  Hoskins. 
John  Clayton,  Thomas  Hoskins. 
Elijah  Warrington,  .John  Clayton. 
John  Clayton,  Jesse  Alexander. 
Jesse  Alexander,  Moses  E.  Cator. 
Jeremiah  Wynne,  Benjamin  Spruill. 
Jeremiah  Wynne,  Levi  Bateman. 
Jeremiah  Wynne,  Moses  E.  Cator. 
Levi  Bateman,  Moses  E.  Cator. 
Thomas  Garrett,  Moses  E.  Cator. 
Levi  Bateman,  Solomon  Hassell. 
Solomon  Hassell,  Levi  Bateman. 
Solomon  Hassell,  Daniel  Sawyer. 
Solomon  Hassell,  Daniel  Sawyer. 
Solomon  Hassell,  Daniel  Sawyer. 
Daniel  Bateman,  Daniel  Sawyer. 
Solomon  Hassell,  Thomas  Leigh. 
Thomas  Leigh,  Daniel  Bateman, 
Thomas  Leigh,  Daniel  Bateman. 
Daniel  Bateman,  Enoch  ILassell. 
Daniel  Bateman,  Enoch  Hassell. 
Daniel  Bateman,  Enoch  Hassell. 
Daniel  Bateman,  Enoch  Hassell. 
Enoch  Hassell,  Ephraim  Mann. 
Frederick  Davenport,  Enoch  Hassell. 
Daniel  N.  Bateman,  Frederick  Davenport. 
Daniel  N.  Bateman,  Frederick  Davenport. 
Daniel  N.  Bateman,  Frederick  Davenport. 
Daniel  N.  Bateman,  Frederick  Davenport. 
Daniel  N.  Bateman,  Frederick  Davenport. 
Daniel  N.  Bateman,  Benjamin  Sikes. 
H.  G.  Spruill,  Charles  McCleese. 
Charles  McCleese,  Samuel  B.  Spruill. 
Charles  McCleese,  George  II.  Alexander. 
Charles  McCleese,  George  H.  Alexander. 
Charles  McCleese,  Thomas  Hassell. 
Silas  Davenport. 
Charles  McCleese. 
Charles  McCleese. 
Joseph  Ilalsey. 
Silas  Davenport. 
Silas  Davenport. 
Charles  McCleese. 
Joseph  McCleese. 


414  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER   LXXIV. 


UNION   COUNTY. 


Union  County  was  formecl  in  1842,  from  the  south-eastern  part 
of  Mecklenburg,  and  western  part  of  Anson  County. 

It  is  situated  in  the  south-western  part  of  the  State,  and  is 
hounded  on  the  north  by  Mecklenburg  and  Stanly;  east,  by  Anson ; 
south,  by  South  Carolina  line;  and  west,  by  Mecklenbui'g. 

Its  capital,  Munroe,  is  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles  south-west 
from  Ealeigh ;  named  in  compliment  to  James  Munroe,  fifth  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States. 

Its  population,  in  1850,  was  8,018  whites  ;  51  free  negroes ;  1,982  slaves  ; 
'J,258  representative  population. 

Its  early  history  belongs  to  Mecklenburg  and  Anson,  and  it  is 
entitled  to  a  share  in  the  spirit-stirring  and  chivalric  history  of 
these  counties. 

It  votes,  until  after  the  next  session,  with  ^lecklenburg  and 
Anson.  That  is,  the  part  of  the  territory  taken  from  Mecklen- 
burg, votes  with  that  County;  and  the  other  with  Anson,  imtil 
after  the  next  General  Assembly,  when  she  will  have  a  distinct  and 
separate  representative. 


CHAPTER   LXXV. 


WAKE  COUNTY. 


"Wake  County  was  erected  in  1770,  from  Orange,  Johnston,  and 
Cumberland. 

The  troubles  arising  from  the  oppression  and  extortion  in  this 
year,  induced  Governor  Try  on  to  divide  Orange  County  into  three 
divisions;  Guilford,  Chatham,  and  Wake;  Wake  was  so  called 
in  compliment  to  the  maiden  name  of  Governor  Tryon's  wife.* 

Wake  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Granville  and  Franklin  Coun- 
ties; on  the  east,  by  Franklin  and  Johnston;  on  the  south,  by  Johns- 
ton and  Cumberland;  and  on  the  west,  by  Chatham  and  Orange. 

*  Martin,  241.    Jones  contradicts  this,  but  gives  no  authority. 


WAKE  COUNTY. 


415 


In  this  County  is  Raleigh,  the  capital  of  the  State  of  North 
Carolina. 

Most  appropriately  does  it  preserve  the  name  of  the  statesman  and  soldier, 
under  whose  auspices  was  fitted  out  the  first  expedition  that  ever  landed  in 
the  United  States.  His  name  is  illustrious  as  a  gallant  warrior;  as  a  saga- 
cious statesman ;  and  as  a  faithful  and  accurate  historian.  He  was  born  in 
1552.  Under  the  smiles  of  the  "  Virgin  Queen"  Elizabeth,  he  rose  to  favor 
and  honors  ;  but  after  her  death,  from  the  pusillanimous  policy  of  James  I, 
he  was  condemned  for  ofi'ences  of  which  he  was  innocent;  and  was  beheaded 
in  1618.* 


Its  population,  in  1850,  was  14,177  whites ;  1,301  free  negroes ;  9,409  slaves ; 
21,123  representative  population. 

Its  products,  in  1840,  were  2,391,996  pounds  of  cotton  ;  535,274  bushels  of 
corn;  38,379  bushels  of  wheat;  79,011  bushels  of  oats;  54,247  pounds  of 
tobacco  ;  12,178  pounds  of  wool. 

By  an  ordinance  of  the  Convention  that  assembled  at  Hillsboro' 
in  1788,  to  deliberate  upon  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States, 
the  seat  of  Government  was  fixed  on  the  plantation  of  Joel  Lane, 
in  Wake  County.  Five  public  squares  were  fixed;  in  the  centre  of 
which,  the  Capitol  was  located,  and  called  Union  Square,  and  the 
other  four  are  Caswell,  Bukke,  Nash,  and  Moore. 

Before  this,  the  sessions  of  the  General  Assembly  had  been  held 
at  different  places ;  at  Tarboro',  Hillsboro',  Fayetteville,  and  else- 
w^here.  This  was  inconvenient  on  many  accounts.  A  State  House, 
Governor's  house,  and  other  public  edifices  were  ordered  to  be 
erected. 

A  fire,  in  June  1831,  destroyed  the  old  Capitol.  The  Governor's 
house  at  one  time,  and  the  large  brick  building,  owned  then  by 
Benjamin  B.  Smith,  in  Fayetteville  street,  at  another,  was  used  for 
the  sessions  of  the  General  Assembly. 

An  edifice  has  been  erected  at  a  cost  of  520,000  dollars,  which, 


*  See  vol.  i. 


416  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

for  durability  of  structure,  correctness  of  architecture,  and  perfect 
adaptation  to  its  intended  purposes,  has  no  superior  in  these  United 
States, 

The  greatest  cahimity  that  followed  the  fire  in  1831  was  the 
total  destruction  of  the  marble  statue  of  George  Washington,  from 
the  unrivaled  chisel  of  Canova,  of  Rome — a  loss  that  cannot  be 
repaired. 

The  full-length  portrait  of  Washington,  after  the  original,  by 
Sully,  was  preserved,  and  still  hangs  in  the  House  of  Commons. 

A  destructive  fire,  on  the  7th  of  January,  1831,  laid  the  princi- 
pal part  of  Raleigh  in  ashes. 

To  the  meeting  of  Delegates  of  the  Province  of  North  Carolina,  held  at 
Ilillsborn'  2ist  August,  1775,  from  "Wake,  Joel  Lane,  John  Hinton,  Theo- 
PHiLus  Hunter,  Michael  Kodgers,  Tignal  Jones,  John  Rand,  and  Thomas 

HiNES. 

To  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  12th  Nov.  1776,  Tignal  Jones,  James  Jones, 
Michael  Rodgers,  John  Rice,  and  Britain  Fuller. 

Of  the  Wake  Regiment,  John  Hunter,  Colonel ;  Theophilus  Hunter, 
Lieutenant-Colonel ;  John  Hinton,  Jr.,  Major ;  Thomas  Hines,  2d  Major. 

Colonel  William  Polk  lived  and  died  in  Raleigh.  He  was  born  in  Meck- 
lenburg County,  and  was  present,  when  but  a  youth  of  nineteen,  at  the  cele- 
brated meeting  on  20th  May,  1775,  when  this  county  declared  its  independence 
of  the  English  Government.  It  was  from  this  hallowed  altar  that  his  youth- 
ful heart  caught  the  inspirations  of  patriotism.  He  joined  the  army  of  this 
county,  and  served  through  the  Revolution.  He  was  with  General  Washing- 
ton at  Brandywine  (Sept.  1777),  and  Germantown  (Oct.  4,  Till),  where  he 
was  wounded.  He  then  was  ordered  South,  and  was  with  General  Gates  in 
the  battle  of  Camden  (August  1780),  and  with  Greene  at  Guilford  (March 
15,  1781),  and  at  the  hard-fought  battle  of  the  Eutaw  Springs  (8th  Sept.  1781), 
at  which  battle  he  received  a  severe  wound,  the  effects  of  which  he  carried 
to  his  grave.  He  held  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  army  at  the 
close  of  the  war.  After  the  war  ended,  he  retired  from  the  army,  and  re- 
turned to  Charlotte,  his  native  place. 

In  1787,  he  represented  the  county  of  Mecklenburg  in  the  House  of  Com- 
mons. 

IIo  removed  to  Raleigh,  and  was  for  a  long  time  President  of  one  of  the 
Banks. 

In  1812,  he  was  offered  a  commission  of  Brigadier-General  in  the  Army 
by  the  President,  which  he  declined.  Subsequently,  however,  stung  by  the 
repeated  wrongs  of  his  country,  and  the  degrading  conditions  demanded  by 
the  British  commissioners  as  the  price  of  peace,  in  a  letter  to  the  Governor  of 
t!ie  State  (Hawkins),  dated  17th  October,  1814,  he  offered  his  services  to  the 
State  in  any  situation  that  the  Governor  might  deem  useful. 

He  died  about  1830,  leaving  a  widow  (the  daughter  of  Col.  Hawkins),  and 
several  children — among  them  are  General  Thomas  G.  Polk,  now  of  Missis- 
sippi, Bishop  Leonidas  Polk,  of  Louisiana,  and  Mrs.  Kenneth  Raynor. 

Hon.  .John  Louis  Tavlor  died  in  Raleigh,  January,  1829 ;  a  sketch  of  his 
life  appears  in  the  chapter  on  Cumberland  County  (page  200),  which  he 
represented  in  1792,  '93,  and  '94— (Fayetteville)— in  the  House. of  Commons. 

James  F.  Taylor,  late  Attorney-General,  lived,  and  died  in  Raleigh.  He 
was  born  in  Chatham  (which  see). 

Joseph  Gales,  Esq.  (who  for  a  long  series  of  years  lived,  and  died  in  Raleigh), 
was  born  in  Derbyshire,  in  England.     He  was  a  Bookseller  and  Printer  in 


■WAKE  COUNTY.  41T 

Sheffield,  and  established,  in  1787,  the  "  Sheffield  Register."  He  was  forced 
to  flee  for  hla  political  principles,  and  in  1794  came  to  the  United  States,  and 
settled  in  Philadelphia.  There  he  published  for  a  period  "  The  Independent 
Gazette,"  and  in  1799  he  removed  to  Raleigh,  and  established  "  The  Regis- 
ter," -which  he  conducted  for  forty  years.  He  gave  to  Mr.  Madison,  during 
the  war  in  1812,  a  tirm,  vigorous,  and  independent  support ;  and  was  amiable 
and  kind  in  all  the  relations  of  life.  He  died  24th  May,  1842.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded in  the  editorial  chair  by  his  son,  Weston  R.  Gales,  who  conducted  it 
until  his  death,  (July,  1848,)  when  his  son,  Seaton  Gales,  Esq.,  the  present 
editor,  succeeded.  The  present  editor  deserves  the  credit  of  starting  the  first 
daily  paper  ever  published  in  North  Carolina— the  "  Bulletin" — published 
during  the  session  of  the  last  General  Assembly. 

Hon.  Henry  Seawell,  late  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  lived  and  died 
in  Raleigh.  He  was  born  24th  December,  1772,  in  Franklin  County  :  self- 
educated  ;  a  vigorous  and  capacious  intellect.  He  was  elected  to  the  House 
of  Commons  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Wake  County^  in  1800,  and 
again  in  1810,  when  he  was  appointed  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts,  but 
the  appuintment  of  the  Governor  was  not  confirmed  by  the  General  Assembly. 

In  1812,  he  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Commons,  and  in  1813  again  ap- 
pointed a  Judge,  which  was  confirmed,  but  Avhich  he  resigned  in  1819. 
About  1820,  he  was  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  a  com- 
missioner under  the  treaty  of  Ghent  with  Great  Britain,  to  award  for  the 
slaves  taken  during  the  war  of  1812;  to  this  Commission,  Charles  Manly, 
Esq.,  was  clerk. 

In  1821,  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  con- 
tinued until  1826.  In  1831  and  '32  he  was  again  in  the  Senate,  when  he 
was  for  the  third  time  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  which  he  held 
until  he  died,  11th  October,  1835. 

By  his  marriage  with  the  daughter  of  Col.  John  Hinton,  seven  children 
survived  him,  six  sons,  and  one  daughter,  who  married  Warner  Lewis,  Esq., 
of  Caswell  County. 

Hon.  Daniel  L.  Barringer  represented  Wake  County  in  the  House  of 
Commons  as  early  as  1813.  He  was  a  son  of  John  Paul  Barringer,  late  of 
Cabarrus  County.  He  married  Miss  White,  of  Raleigh,  granddaughter  of 
Richard  Caswell ;  represented  AVake  County  in  1813,  1819,  1820,  and  1821 ; 
and  from  1826  to  1835  was  a  member  of  Congress. 

He  removed  to  Tennessee,  and  has  been  in  public  life  while  there — Speaker 
of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

Hon.  Duncan  Cameron,  who  resides  in  Raleigh,  was  born  in  Mecklenburg 
County,  Virginia,  in  1777,  son  of  an  Episcopalian  clergyman. 

He  studied  law,  and  came  to  North  Carolina  in  1797. 

In  1800,  he  was  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court,  then  called  Court 
of  Conference. 

■  In  1806,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  Orange 
Coanty,  and  again  1807,  '12,  and  '13,  when  he  was  a  firm  and  decided  advocate 
for  the  war. 

In  1814,  he  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  which  he  resigned 
in  1816. 

In  1819,  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  from  Orange  County,  and  in  1822 
and  1823. 

In  1829,  he  was  elected  President  of  the  old  State  Bank. 

On  the  organization  of  the  present  Bank  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  in 
September,  1834,  he  was  chosen  its  President,  over  whose  affairs  he  presided 
with  unexampled  financial  skill  and  fidelity  until  a  few  years  since,  when  he 
resigned  (January,  1849),  and  was  succeeded  by  George  W.  Mordecai,  Esq. 

MosES  Mordecai,  who  lived  and  died  near  Raleigh,  a  distinguished  lawyer, 
was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  4th  April,  1785. 


418  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

His  father,  Jacob,  removed  to  Richmond,  Virginia,  when  he  was  about  five 
years  old,  and  finally  to  Warrenton  in  this  State,  where  he  established  him- 
self first  as  a  merchant,  and  afterwards  kept  a  large  and  respectable  female 
school. 

Moses  Mordecai  was  educated  in  Warrenton  by  Marcus  George,  who  was 
justly  renowned  as  one  of  the  best  teachers  of  his  day.  He  aided  in  the 
school  of  his  father  for  a  time  after  arriving  at  maturity.  He  then  studied 
law,  obtained  license,  and  settled  in  Greenville,  Pitt  County.  He  subse- 
quently removed  to  llaleigh,  where  he  practiced  with  great  success  in  the 
Federal  and  Supreme  Courts,  and  where  he  lived  at  the  time  of  his  death. 
The  evidence  of  his  ability  and  talents  is,  that  with  such  compeers  as  Gaston, 
Ruffin,  Seawell,  Stanley,  and  others,  his  practice  was  lucrative,  and  his  suc- 
cess complete. 

He  died  at  the  Sweet  Springs,  in  Virginia,  September,  1824,  whither  he 
had  resorted  to  restore  his  health,  shattered  by  the  fall  diseases  of  our  lower 
country  climate.  He  left  four  children,  two  sons,  Henry  and  Jacob,  and  two 
daughters,  Ellen  and  Margaret. 

His  brother,  George  W.  Mordecai,  Esq.,  resides  now  in  Raleigh,  and  is 
President  of  the  Bank  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina. 

Hon.  John  H.  Bryax  resides  in  Raleigh.  He  is  a  native  of  Craven: 
for  his  biography,  see  Craven,  Chapter  XXII. 

Hon.  R.  M.  Saunders  resides  in  Raleigh.  He  is  a  native  of  Caswell:  for 
his  biography,  see  Caswell,  Chapter  XV. 

Hon.  William  H.  Haywood,  Jr.,  is  a  resident  and  native  of  this  county. 

He  was  born  in  1801 ;  educated  at  the  University  of  Xorth  Carolina,  at 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1819 ;  studied  law,  entered  public  life  in  1831  as 
a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  served  in  1834,  '35,  and  '36. 
He  was  Speaker  in  1836.  He  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States 
in  1842,  which  he  resigned  in  1846,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Hon.  George 
E.  Badger. 

Hon.  George  E.  Badger  resides  in  Raleigh.  He  is  a  native  of  Craven 
County:  for  his  biography,  see  Craven,  Chapter  XXII. 

Hon.  Richard  Hines  resides  in  Raleigh.  He  is  a  native  of  Edgecombe,  for 
which,  see  Edgecombe,  Chapter  XXVIII. 

Major  Gaston  H.  Wilder  resides  in  this  county  ;  son  of  the  late  Hillory 
Wilder,  who  represented  Johnston  County  for  many  years. 

Major  Wilder  was  educated  at  the  University,  and  graduated  in  1838.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  in  1842,  '44,  and  '46.  This  year 
he  was  appointed  Paymaster  of  the  North  Carolina  Regiment,  in  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  vice  David  W.  Stone.  He  went  to  Mexico,  and  served 
through  the  war  with  credit  to  himself  and  fidelity  to  the  government. 

Major  Charles  L.  Hinton  is  a  native  of  Wake;  educated  at  the  University, 
at  which  he  graduated  in  1814.  In  1820  and  '21.  he  was  elected  a  member 
of  the  House  of  Commons,  from  Wake.  In  1827,  he  was  elected  to  the 
Senate,  in  which  he  served,  with  some  intermission,  until  1833.  In  1839,  he 
succeeded  Mr.  Courts  as  Treasurer  of  the  State,  and  in  1850,  Mr.  Courts 
succeeded  him. 

Major  William  F.  Collins,  who  was  Comptroller  from  1836  to  1851,  also 
resides  in  this  county.     He  is  a  native  of  Nash. 

The  Executive  Officers  of  North  Carolina  reside  at  Raleigh. 

His  Excellency,  David  Settle  Reid,  is  a  native  of  Rockingham  ;  for  whose 
biography,  see  Chapter  LXVI. 


WAKE  COUNTY.  419 

"William  Hill  (Secretary  of  State),  is  a  native  of  Stokes.  lie  was  born  in 
September,  1773.  He  came  to  Raleigh  in  July,  1795,  as  clerk  to  James  Glas- 
gow, who  went  out  of  office  in  1798,  when  William  White  was  elected.  On  the 
death  of  William  "White,  in  October,  1811,  Mr.  Hill  was  elected,  in  November 
following,  his  successor,  which  office  he  has  held  to  this  day.  His  first  wife 
was  Sally  Geddy,  by  whom  he  has  several  children.  His  second  wife  is  Fran- 
ces Conner  Blount,  who  is  alluded  to  as  a  descendant  of  Governor  Archdale, 
in  vol.  i.,  page  82,  of  these  sketches. 

Daniel  W.  Courts  is  a  native  of  Culpepper  County,  Ya.;  born  November 
26th,  1800;  by  profession  a  lawyer;  educated  at  the  University,  at  which  he 
graduated  in  1823.  In  1831,  '32,  and  '33,  he  was  a  member  from  Surry 
County.  In  the  session  of  1836  he  was  again  a  member,  and  at  this  session 
he  was  elected  Treasurer  of  the  State,  and  re-elected  1838,  by  a  Legislature 
differing  in  politics.  In  1839,  he  was  appointed  Consul  of  the  United  States 
at  Matanzas,  which  he  accepted,  and  repaired  to  his  post;  but  resigned  in  a 
short  time.  He  removed  to  Rockingham,  the  county  in  which  he  was  raised, 
and  in  1846,  was  elected  from  this  county  to  the  House  of  Commons,  and 
again  in  1848.  In  1850,  he  was  elected,  without  opposition,  Senator  from 
Rockingham,  and  at  the  session  of  1850-51,  elected  Treasurer  of  the  State, 
which  position  he  now  occupies. 

William  J.  Clarke  is  a  native  of  Wake  County ;  was  educated  at  the  Uni- 
versity, and  graduated  in  1841 ;  a  Lawyer  by  profession. 

In  1846,  volunteered  to  go  to  Mexico,  and  was  appointed  a  Captain  in  the 
12th  Regiment  of  United  States  Infantry.  His  company,  I,  was  in  several 
engagements,  and  at  the  Battle  of  the  National  Bridge,  in  which  he  con- 
ducted himself  with  great  bravery,  and  received  a  severe  wound. 

He  was  promoted  to  be  Major,  by  the  President  and  Senate,  for  his  gal- 
lantry. At  the  disbanding  of  the  army  after  the  war,  he  returned  to  his  pro- 
fession, and  in  1850,  was  elected  Comptroller  of  the  State,  which  position  he 
now  holds. 

The  roll  of  his  company,  which  he  led  to  battle  and  to  victory  in  Mexico, 
is  as  follows : — 

ROLL  OF  COMPANY  "I,"  12th  REGIMENT  U.  S.  INFANTRY. 
William  J.  Clarke,  Captain. 

John  F.  Hoke,  1st  Lieutenant;  promoted  to  Captaincy,  June  27,  1847. 
Charles  M.  Creanor  (Texas),  promoted  Ist  Lieutenant  vice  Hoke. 
James  F.  Waddell,  2d  Lieutenant. 

John  J.  Wheeden,  2d  Lieut.;  died  January  14,  1848,  at  Raleigh,  having  re- 
returned. 
Charles  Manly,  Jr.,  appointed  vice  Wheeden. 

Sergeants. 

1.  Richard  H.  Rogers,  killed  in  action,  at  National  Bridge,  Mexico,  12th 

of  August,  1847. 

2.  Thomas  B.  Jones,  transferred  to  dragoons. 

3.  Thomas  F.  Elliot,  died  at  Yera  Cruz,  September  14,  1847. 

4.  Merritt  D.  Crocker,  died  at  Encerro,  June  27,  1848. 

1.  Lawson  Mauney,  appointed  1st  Sergeant,  March  1,  1848. 

2.  Joseph  F.  Williamson. 

3.  Richard  II.  Riddick. 

4.  John  Huffman. 

CorporaU. 

1.  Christopher  G.  Love.  3.  Joseph  A.  Thomas. 

2.  David  S.  Wells.  4.  Andrew  Summey. 

Musiciaiis. 
Frederick  A.  Stauffer,  Drummer. 
Henry  Tevepaugh,  Fifer;  died  at  Jalapa,  September  26,  1847. 


420 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Privates. 


1.  Akenford,  Endemeon  R. 

2.  Bell,  Eli 

3.  Bell,  fieorge  R. 

4.  Bell,  Morris  0. 

5.  Bay,  Jacob 

6.  Bi-iggs,  Alexander 

7.  Bowen,  AVm.  D.  S. 

8.  Brooks,  Henry 

9.  Bumgarner,  Thomas  L. 

10.  Barbee,  Young  W. 

11.  Bradley,  Wm. 

12.  Campton,  James 

13.  Carpenter,  Jacob  Q. 

14.  Carpenter,  Peter  W. 

15.  Cline,  Laban  L.  M. 

16.  Cody,  Turner 

17.  Davis,  Benjamin  F. 

18.  Durand,  Addington  S. 

19.  Eaker,  Michael 

20.  Evans,  James  R. 

21.  Ford,  Rick,  vrounded  at  National 

Bridge. 

22.  Fretwell,  Jefferson 

23.  Green,  Simon  G. 

24.  Greer,  John  F. 

25.  Hallman,  Noah 

26.  Ilargraves,  James  E. 

27.  Hearn,  Pernal 

28.  Henderson,  Robert  F. 

29.  Hoke,  Philo  P. 

30.  Justis,  Benj.,  (wounded  at  Cerro 

Gordo.) 


31.  Kirksey,  William,    (wounded    at 

National  Bridge.) 

32.  Kirksey,  Elijah,  (wounded  at  Na- 

tional Bridge.) 

33.  Lawrence,  George  W.  H. 

34.  Lee,  William  W. 

35.  Martin,  Jason 

36.  Martin,  William 

37.  Medlin,  Willie 

38.  McGonigle,  Peter 

39.  Mabry,  Josiah 

40.  Nowlm,  David  M.  C. 

41.  Nowlin,  Thomas  D. 

42.  Rains,  Benjamin 

43.  Ramsey,  Thomas  G. 

44.  Runnels,  Moses 

45.  Rafferty,  Daniel  A. 

46.  Risen,  George 

47.  Sims,  James 

48.  Slade,  David  M. 

49.  Salter,  David  W. 

50.  Salter,  Warren 

51.  Smith,  Nathaniel 

52.  Wells,  David 

53.  Wells,  Hugh  S. 

54.  Wheeler,  Junius  B.,  (promoted  to 

Lieutenant,  11th  Infantry.) 

55.  White,  Benjamin  E. 

56.  AVilliams,  Lisbon  W. 

57.  Williams,  James 

58.  Wright,  Silas  J. 

59.  AVolf,  John 

60.  Young,  Laton 


ably  Discharged. 
Disability. 


wounds. 

do. 
injuries  in  battle. 


Honor 

1.  Brown,  Thomas  G. 

2.  Fye,  Abel  M. 

3.  Huff,  John     . 

4.  Justis,  Benjamin 

5.  Kirksey,  Elijah 

6.  Mitchell,  Wm.  A.  J. 

7.  Nowell,  Jonathan 

8.  Stevens,  Wm.  G. 

Transferred. 

1.  William  Conyers,  to  Company  "G,"  12th  Infantry. 

2.  Dixon,  Ferdinand,            "             "  " 

3.  Dyson,  George  W.            "            "  " 

4.  Harris,  Andrew  J.            "             "  " 

5.  Jones,  Henry  S.                 "             •'  " 

6.  Jones,  Thomas  B.,  to  2d  Dragoons. 

7.  Phillips,  John  G.,  to  Company  "G,"  12th  Infantry. 

Deserted. 
Jacob  Ilogue,  Fort  Moultrie,  S.  C,  Mav  29,  1847. 
Henry  M.  Wyatt,  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico,  July  6,  1848. 

Casualties. 

1.  Medicus  A.  Alfred,  died  at  Perote,  Mexico,  Nov.,  1847. 

2.  James  M.  Bandy,  "     sea,  July  15,  1847. 


WAKE  COUNTY.  421 

3.  Richard  E.  Barrow,  died  at  Perote,  Oct.  15,  1847. 

4.  Jesse  Boytt,  "  City  of  Mexico,  Jan.  28,  1848. 

5.  Arthur  Campbell,  "  Encerro,  Mexico,  June  25,  1848. 

6.  "William  Champion,  "  N.  C,  April  8,  1847. 

7.  William  J.  Clark,  "  City  of  Mexico,  March  6,  1848. 

8.  Abner  Cooper,  "  New  Orleans,  July  17,  1848. 

9.  James  Crabtree,  "  Puebla,  Jan.  2,_1848. 

10.  Merrit  D.  Crocker,  died  near  Jalapa,  June  17,  1848. 

11.  Beniamin  Dickerson,  died  at  Encerro,  Jun3  27,  1847, 

12.  William  Dickerson,  "     Vera  Cruz,  Sept.  14,  1847. 

13.  Thomas  F.  Elliott,  "    Vera  Cruz,  Aug.  22,  1847. 

14.  Seth  Etheridge,  "     Encerro,  June  25,  1848. 

15.  Fenner  Finch,  "     sea,  July  18,  1847. 

16.  Farnifold  Grey,  ■,.-,■, 

17.  George  A.  Gentle,  "     CerroGordo,  Aug.  16, 1847,  wounds  in  battle. 

18.  Elijah  Harris,  "     Encerro,  June  28,  1848. 

19.  William  Ilaughton,  "     Puebla,  Dec.  8,  1847. 

20.  William  W.  Horton,  "     Puebla,  Nov.  21,  1847. 

21.  Asa  Hurley. 

22.  Joseph  Horsends. 

23.  George  N.  Ireland. 

24.  Daniel  Jarral. 

25.  James  J.  Love. 

26.  John  May. 

27.  Edward  McMillan,  died  Oct.  5, 1847,  wounds  received  in  battle. 

28.  James  McKnight. 

29.  Nathan  Perry. 

30.  Anderson  Peace. 

31.  Albert  G.  Powers. 

32.  Richard  H.  Rogers,  killed  in  battle  at  National  Bridge. 

33.  Wesley  Richards. 

34.  William  H.  Roles. 

35.  Joseph  T.  Rudiscal. 

36.  Benjamin  S.  Rust,  injuries  received  in  battle  at  National  Bridge. 

37.  Henry  Stamey,  killed  at  National  Bridge. 

38.  Hardy  T.  W.  Shadrach,  died  of  wounds  received  at  National  Bridge. 

39.  William  Sikes. 

40.  James  Spain. 

41.  Henry  Tevepaugb. 

42.  Absalom  Taylor. 

43.  James  W.  Underwood. 

44.  Charles  A'owell,  died  of  wounds  received  at  National  Bridge. 

45.  Wm.  F.  Wacaster. 

46.  Benjamin  F.  Wadkins. 

47.  James  II.  Wall. 

48.  Samuel  P.  AVeathers. 

49.  John  B.  Warrick. 

50.  Christopher  Wells. 

51.  Daniel  Wiggs. 

52.  John  AVoodliff. 

53.  Barzillai  Winfield. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Wake  County,  from  the 
first  meeting,  in  1777,  to  the  last  session,  1850-51. 

Years.  Senate.                               House  of  Commons. 

1777.  James  Jones,  John  Rand,  Tignal  Jones. 

1778.  Michael  Rodgers,  Lodwick  Alford,  Hardy  Saunders, 

1779.  Michael  Rodgers,  Thomas  Hines,  John  llinton,  Jr. 

1780.  Michael  Rodgers,  Nathl.  -Jones,  John  Humphries. 

1781.  Michael  Rodgers,  Burwell  Pope,  James  llinton. 


422 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate, 

1782.  Joel  Lane, 

1783.  Joel  Lane, 

1784.  Joel  Lane, 

1785.  Joel  Lane, 

1786.  Joel  Lane, 

1787.  Joel  Lane, 

1788.  Joel  Lane, 

1789.  Joel  Lane, 

1790.  Joel  Lane, 

1791.  Joel  Lane, 

1792.  Joel  Lane, 

1793.  James  Hinton, 

1794.  Joel  Lane, 

1795.  Joel  Lane, 

1796.  Thomas  Hines, 

1797.  Tignall  Jones, 

1799.  Thomas  Hines, 

1800.  Nathl.  Jones, 

1801.  Nathl.  Jones, 

1802.  William  Hinton, 

1803.  AVilliam  Hinton, 

1804.  William  Hinton, 

1805.  Nathaniel  Jones, 

1806.  Allen  Kogers, 

1807.  Allen  Rogers, 

1808.  Allen  Rogers, 

1809.  AVilliam  Hinton, 

1810.  William  Hinton, 

1811.  William  Hinton, 

1812.  Allen  Rogers, 

1813.  John  Hinton,  Jr., 

1814.  John  Hinton, 

1815.  John  Hinton, 
1810.  John  Hinton,  Jr., 

1817.  Nathaniel  Jones, 

1818.  Nathaniel  Jones, 

1819.  Stephen  Haywood, 

1820.  Josiah  Cuedup, 

1821.  Henry  Seawell, 

1822.  Henry  Seawell, 

1823.  Henry  Seawell, 

1824.  Henry  Seawell, 

1825.  Henry  Seawell, 

1826.  Henry  Seawell, 

1827.  Charles  L.  Hinton, 

1828.  Charles  L.  Hinton, 

1829.  Charles  L.  Hinton, 

1830.  Charles  L.  Hinton, 

1831.  Henry  Seawell, 

1832.  Henry  Seawell, 

1833.  Charles  L.  Hinton, 

1834.  Samuel  Whitaker, 

1835.  Samuel  Whitaker, 

1836.  Samuel  Whitaker, 

1838.  Samuel  Whitaker, 

1840.  Samuel  Whitaker, 

1842.  James  B.  Shepard, 


House  of  Commons. 

James  Hinton,  Burwell  Pope. 

Theophilus  Hinton,  Hardy  Saunders. 

James  Hinton,  William  Hayes. 

James  Hinton,  William  Hayes. 

John  Humphries,  James  Hinton. 

Nathaniel  Jones,  Brittain  Saunders. 

James  Hinton,  Brittain  Saunders. 

Brittain  Saunders,  Thomas  Hines. 

Brittain  Saunders,  Ransom  Sutherland. 

Ransom  Sutherland,  Brittain  Saunders. 

Brittain  Saunders,  William  Hinton. 

Wyatt  Hawkins,  Wm.  Person. 

William  Hinton,  Michael  Rogers. 

Nathaniel  Jones,  William  Hinton. 

Nathaniel  Jones,  John  Rogers. 

Wm.  Hinton,  Solomon  Rogers. 

Wm.  Hinton,  Henry  Seawell. 

Matthew  McCullers,  Henry  Seawell. 

Henry  Seawell,  Matthew  McCullers. 

Henry  H.  Cook,  Henry  Seawell. 

Allen  Rogers,  Henry  H.  Cooke. 

Nathl.  Jones,  Henry  H.  Cooke. 

Nathl.  Jones,  Henry  H.  Cooke. 

Walter  Rand,  Henry  H.  Cooke. 

Calvin  Jones,  Henry  H.  Cooke. 

Nathl.  Jones,  Allen  Gilchrist. 

Nathl.  Jones,  Kimbro'  Jones. 

Henry  Seawell,  Kimbro'  Jones. 

Nathl.  Jones,  Kimbro'  Jones. 

Henry  Seawell,  Kimbro'  Jones. 

Wm.  Boylan,  Danl.  L.  Barringer. 

Wm.  Boylan,  Seth  Jones. 

Wm.  Boylan,  Seth  Jones. 

William  Boylan,  Seth  Jones. 

Seth  Jones,  Stephen  Haywood. 

Seth  Jones,  Stephen  Haywood. 

Kimbro'  Jones,  D.  L.  Barringer. 

Danl.  L.  Barringer,  C.  L.  Hinton. 

Chas.  L.  Hinton,  D.  L.  Barringer. 

D.  L.  Barringer,  Samuel  Whitaker. 

Jas.  F.  Taylor,  Samuel  Whitaker. 

Saml.  Whitaker,  Johnson  Busbee. 

Samuel  Whitaker,  Nathl.  G.  Rand. 

Saml.  Whitaker,  N.  G.  Rand. 

Saml.  Whitaker,  Johnson  Busbee. 

Saml.  Whitaker,  Wesley  Jones. 

Wesley  Jones,  Saml.  Whitaker. 

Saml.  Whitaker,  N.  G.  Rand. 

Wm.  II.  Haywood,  Jr.,  N.  G.  Rand. 

Nathl.  G.  Rand,  Chas.  L.  Hinton. 

Nathl.  G.  Rand,  Wesley  Jones.      • 

Wm.  H.  Haywood,  Jr.,  Wesley  Jones. 

Wm.  H.  Haywood,  Jr.,  Allen  Rogers. 

Weston  R.  "Gales,  Wm.  H.  Haywood,  Jr.. 

N.  G.  Rand. 
N.  G.  Rand,  D.  B.  Massey,  J.  M.  Mangum. 
N.  G.  Rand,  D.  B.  Massey,  J.  M.  Mangum. 
N.  G.   Rand,   Gaston    H.    Wilder,  D.    B. 

Massey. 


WARREN  COUNTY.  423 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1844.     Geo.  W.  Thompson,    J.  M.  Manj!;um,  Gaston  II.  Wilder,  James 

B.  Shepard. 

1846.     Geo.  W.  Thompson,    Benj.  D.  Sims,  G.  H.  Wilder,  W.  W.  Ilolden. 

1848.     Geo.  W.  Thompson,    Benj.  D.  Sims,   Jas.  D.  Newcome,  Rufus 

H.  Jones. 

1850.    Wesley  Jones,  K.  M.  Saunders,  James  D.  Newcome,  Bar- 

well  Rollins. 


CHAPTER   LXXVI. 


WARREN   COUNTY. 


Warren  County  was  formed  in  1779.  In  this  year  Bute 
County  was  divided,  and  the  counties  of  Franklin  and  Warren 
formed  from  it. 

Warren  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  Virginia  line,  on  the 
east  by  Northampton  and  Halifax  Counties,  on  the  south  by 
Franklin  County,  on  the  west  by  Granville. 

Its  population  (1850)  was  4604  whites;  441  free  negroes;  8867  slaves; 
10,365  representative  population. 

Its  products  (1840)  were  3,574,296  lbs.  tobacco;  380,954  lbs.  cotton  ;  9584 
lbs.  wool ;  395,351  bushels  corn  ;  80,193  bushels  oats  ;  25,551  bushels  wheat ; 
1641  dollars  worth  of  lumber. 

It  derives  its  name  from  Joseph  Warren,  of  Massachusetts. 

Dr.  Joseph  Warren  was  a  Major-General  in  the  Provincial  forces,  and 
fell  in  battle  at  Bunker  Hill,  on  17th  June,  1775.  He  was  born  in  Iloxbury, 
in  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  in  1741.  After  leaving  college,  he  studied 
medicine  with  Dr.  Lloyd,  an  eminent  physician  of  his  day,  and  commenced 
practice  with  great  success.  His  personal  appearance,  his  kind  address,  and 
humanity,  won  his  way  to  the  hearts  of  all,  while  his  intellectual  superiority 
gave  him  power  among  his  countrymen.  When  Great  Britain  declared  her 
power  to  tax  and  govern  the  colonies  without  representation,  Warren,  far 
in  advance  of  public  opinion,  openly  denounced  it  as  tyranny  in  its  most 
odious  forms — this,  too,  in  the  very  teeth  of  the  myrmidcms  of  the  Crown. 

The  massacre  of  the  Colonists,  on  the  5th  of  March,  1770,  had  been  held  as 
a  sacred  festival  by  the  people  of  Boston.  Orations  were  delivered  on  each 
anniversary,  setting  forth  this  murder  legalized  by  the  Crown.  Twice  was 
Warren  the  orator  on  this  deeply  exciting  subject.  So  patriotic  were  his 
sentiments — so  hostile  to  British  power — that  the  officers  of  the  army  under 
General  Gage,  then  quartered  in  Boston,  declared  that  no  more  such  orations 
should  be  delivered.  It  was  openly  stated  that  it  would  cost  the  life  of  any 
man  who  attempted  it.  Warren  took  fire  at  a  threat  so  openly  and  tyranni- 
cally made.  He  solicited  the  honor  of  delivering  the  oration  in  1775.  For 
this  post  he  had  few  rivals,  and  it  became  well  known  that  Warren  was  to 
speak.  The  day  came,  and  the  weather  was  remarkably  fine.  The  old  South 
Meeting  House  was  crowded  at  an  early  hour.  The  British  officers,  armed, 
filled  the  house  and  aisles,  and  some  even  occupied  the  pul])it.  All  entrance 
to  the  house  was  prevented.  But  Warren  reached  tlie  juilpit  by  a  ladder 
from  the  outside.     He  pressed  forward  to  his  post.     In  the  bloom  of  mau- 

36 


424  HISTOKY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

hood,  flushed  vith  the  spirit  of  liberty,  the  youthful  orator  advanced.  The 
British  officers,  seeing  his  coohiess  and  intrepidity,  made  way  for  him.  An 
awful  stillness,  like  that  which,  in  the  convulsions  of  nature,  often  precedes 
the  fell  tornado  of  the  Indies,  prevailed.  Each  man  felt  the  rapid  palpita- 
tions of  his  own  heart,  and  saw  in  the  pale  determined  face,  and  closed  lips 
of  his  neighbor,  the  peril  of  the  occasion.  The  daring  spirit  of  Warren 
arose,  and.'^in  "  thoughts  that  breathed  and  words  that  burned,"  he  spoke  of 
the  early  history  of  the  colonists,  their  rights,  and  the  claims  of  justice  ;  how 
their  rights  had  been  trampled  down,  how  violated  by  the  tyrant  power  of 
England.  Ilis  descriptions  of  suffering,  agony,  and  blood  of  the  colonists, 
chilled  even  the  spirits  of  the  British.  The  scene  was  sublime — the  cause 
of  truth  prevailed.  The  day  passed  without  any  violence.  Warren  and  his 
friends  were  prepared  to  chastise  insolence,  prevent  disgrace,  and  avenge 
any  attempt  at  assassination. 

This  is  a  scene  of  moral  courage  and  sublimity  worthy  of  the  pencil  of  the 
painter  or  the  chisel  of  the  sculptor.  The  thunder  of  Demosthenes  rolled  at 
a  distance  from  Philip  and  his  hosts ;  Cicero  poured  forth  his  invective  when 
surrounded  by  the  Senate  and  free  from  danger  of  the  dagger  of  Cataline  ;  but 
Warren  spoke  to  the  very  teeth  of  the  proud  oppressors  of  his  country,  resting 
on  their  loaded  arms,  whose  errand  was  to  overawe,  and  whose  business  it 
was  to  conquer.  No  example  in  Roman  history  exceeds  this  in  moral  courage 
or  in  moral  sublimity. 


Is  there  in  the  abyss, 


Is  there,  among  the  adamantine  sphere?, 
Wheeling-  unshaken  through  the  boundless  void, 
Aught  that  with  half  such  majesty  can  fill 
The  humein  bosom?"* 

If  ancient  Rome  placed  the  statue  of  Brutus  among  those  of  her  heroes 
and  her  gods,  should  not  one  rise  to  the  memory  of  Warren,  to  perpetuate 
the  remembrance  of  this  heroic  act? 

In  June  14th,  1775,  the  Provincial  Congress  of  Massachusetts  made  him 
Major-General  of  their  forces.  But  he  was  not  destined  long  to  wear  these 
honors.  At  Breed's  Hill,  when  the  Provincials,  under  Colonel  Prescott,  were 
attacked  by  the  English  troops  on  the  17th,  General  Warren  appeared.  Col. 
Prescott  offered  him  the  command,  but  he  declined,  and  with  a  musket  took 
his  place  in  the  ranks.  He  was  killed  as  the  Provincials  were  slowly  retreat- 
ing from  the  superior  forces  of  the  British.  This  place  has  now  become 
sacred  gound.  A  tall  monument  marks  the  consecrated  spot,  "  to  meet  the 
sun  in  his  coming ;  the  early  light  of  the  morning  gilds  it,  and  parting  day 
lingers  on  its  summit." 

Strangers  from  distant  lands  visit  it,  for  it  is  associated  in  their  memories 
with  the  Marathon  and  Platasas  of  former  ages,  and  with  all  the  mighty  strug- 
gles of  determined  freedom  for  its  long  lost  liberty.  Meet  is  it  that  North 
Carolina,  in  one  of  her  fairest  counties,  has  preserved  the  name  of  this 
noble  son  of  patriotism,  whose  life-blood  cemented  the  foundations  c^f  her 
liberty,  and  who  died  battling  in  her  sacred  cause  ! 

"  There  tvere  no  Tories  in  Bute,"  says  her  historian,  and  the  re- 
cords of  truth. 

When  the  Provincial  Congress  recommended  that  Committees  of 
Safety  be  chosen  in  1775,  for  each  county,  Bute  rose  as  one  man, 
and,  on  motion  of  Benjamin  Ward,  "  one  of  each  kin  was  selected 
to  act  as  one  of  the  Committee,"  thus  connecting  with  living  links 
the  chain  of  freedom. 

She  sent  to  the  General  Meeting,  on  the  25th  of  August,  1774,  at  Newbern, 
William  Person  and  Green  Hill. 

♦  Akenside's  Pleasures  of  the  Imagination,  book  ii.  p.  47, 


WARREN  COUNTY.  425 

To  same  place,  on  the  3d  of  April,  1775,  William  Person,  Green  Hill, 
James  Ransome,  and  Thomas  Eaton. 

To  Hillsboro',  on  the  21st  of  August,  1775,  she  sent  William  Person, 
Green  Hill,  Jethro  Sumner,  Thomas  Eaton,  Eev.  Henry  Pattillo,  and 
JosiAH  Reddick. 

To  Halifax,  on  the  4th  of  April,  177G,  William  Person,  Green  Hill,  Wil- 
liam Alston,  Thomas  Sherrod,  and  Philemon  Hawkins. 

At  this  Congress,  Thomas  Person  was  appointed  Brigadier-General  of  the 
Hillsboro'  District ;  Jethro  Sumner,  Colonel  of  the  3d  Regiment  of  Conti- 
nental Troops.  And  of  the  Bute  Regiment,  Thomas  Eaton,  Colonel;  Wil- 
liam Alston,  Lieutenant-Colonel;  Thomas  Sherrod,  Major;  Green  Hill,  2d 
Major. 

To  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  on  the  12th  of  November,  1776,  James  Den- 
ton, Thomas  Eaton,  Philemon  Hawkins,  Benjamin  Sewell,  and  Benjamin 
Ward. 

The  character  of  William  Person  is  one  of  great  interest.^  We  regret  that 
our  efforts  have  been  thus  far  unavailing,  to  ascertain  the  birth,  family,  edu- 
cation, and  death  of  this  worthy  patriot.  But  the  records  afford  ample  testi- 
mony of  his  devotion  to  the  principles  of  liberty,  and  the  magnanimity  of 
his  character. 

General  Jethro  Sumner  was  of  Warren  County,  an  early,  active,  and 
patriotic  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  His  father,  William  Sumner,  emigrated 
from  England  about  1690,  and  settled  near  Suffolk,  Virginia. 

On  the  8th  of  May,  1760,  he  was  ordered  "by  the  Hon.  William  Byrd, 
Esq.,  Colonel  of  the  Virginia  Regiment,  and  Commander-in-chief  of  the  Vir- 
ginia forces,"  to  proceed  (with  Sergeant  Nash)  with  all  convenient  speed  to 
Fort  Cumberland,  to  act  as  Paymaster.  During  this  year  he  was  the  com- 
manding officer  of  Fort  Cumberland. 

He  was  appointed  in  April,  1776,  by  the  Provincial  Congress,  Colonel  of 
the  3d  Regiment  of  Continental  Troops.  William  Alston  was  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  ;  Samuel  Lockhart,  Major. 

He  joined  the  army  of  the  North,  under  Washington,  and,  after  that  cam- 
paign, came  South  with  General  Gates,  and  behaved  with  great  bravery  on 
the  fatal  field  of  Camden  (August,  1780). 

In  October  following  he  was  at  Yadkin's  Ford,  from  which  General  Sumner, 
in  camp,  reports  on  the  10th  of  October,  1780,  the  defeat  of  Ferguson  on 
King's  Mountain  to  General  Gates,  and  by  General  Gates  sent  to  Congress. 

He  joined  General  Greene,  and  with  him  was  in  the  hard-fought  battle  of 
Eutaw  Springs,  8th  of  September,  1781,  and  commanded  the  Continental 
Troops  from  North  Carolina ;    their  bravery,  in  charging  the  enemy  with 
"  trailed  arms,  contributed  greatly  to  the  success  of  the  day. 

He  continued  to  serve  in  the  South  until  the  daring  feat  of  Fannin,  in 
the  abduction  of  the  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  September,  1781  .*  General 
Greene,  alarmed  at  the  effect  of  such  an  outrage,  ordered  General  Sumner 
to  North  Carolina,  to  tranquilize  the  public  mind,  encourage  the  friends  of 
liberty,  and  to  subdue  the  Tory  influence.  He  traversed  the  eastern  section 
of  North  Carolina,  and  was  in  the  State  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

A  letter  from  General  Greene,  dated  at  Charleston,  2d  February,  1783,  to 
General  Sumner,  says  :  "AVere  there  any  probability  of  action  soon,  I  should 
be  anxious  to  have  your  services  in  this  army.  But  from  the  situation  of 
your  line,  and  the  probable  inactivity  of  the  army  for  some  time  to  come,  I 
have  no  objection  to  your  remaining  in  North  Carolina,  where  you  can  attend 
to  the  recruiting  service  and  your  own  private  concerns  at  the  same  time." 

After  the  war  was  over,  he  resigned,  and  married  a  wealthy  widow  (lleiss) 
of  Newbern,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Thomas  Edward,  who  died  with- 
out issue,  and  Jacky,  who  married  Hon.  Thomas  Blount,  of  Edgecombe,  who 
died  ia  Congress  in  1812,  without  issue. 

*  See  Biography  of  Gov.  Burke,  333. 


426  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

General  Sumner  lies  buried  in  Warren  County,  near  the  road  from  Lewis- 
burg  to  "Warrenton,  near  old  Shocco  Chapel  and  Bute  old  court  house,  and 

bears  this  inscription : — 

To  the  memory 

of 

General  Jethro  Scmner, 

one  of  the  Heroes  of  '76. 


HAWKINS  FAMILY. 


Of  PniLEMOx  riAAVKiNs,  vrho  was  delegate  from  Bute  in  1776,  the  reader 
•will  find  a  history  in  the  sketch  of  Colonel  Benjamin  Hawkins,  for  which  I 
am  indebted  to  the  kindness  of  John  D.  Hawkins,  Esq.,  of  Franklin  County, 
and  from  whose  pen  it  proceeded. 

CoL.  Benjamin  Hawkins  was  born  in  Bute  (which  was  changed  to  Warren 
County  in  1779)  on  the  15th  of  August,  1754,  and  he  died  at  his  residence  in 
the  Creek  Nation,  in  the  exercise  of  his  functions  as  ^Superintendent  of  Indian 
Affairs,  on  the  6th  of  June,  1816.  A  particular  record  to  this  effect  was  made 
at  the  time  of  his  death  by  his  elder  brother.  Colonel  Philemon  Hawkins,  in 
his  family  Bible,  with  the  additional  remark,  that  he  had  been  in  public  life 
thirty-six  years. 

Ilia  parents  were  Colonel  Philemon  Hawkins,  Sr.,  and  Delia  Hawkins, 
both  of  whom  lived  and  died  in  the  same  county,  at  advanced  ages.     Hia 
father  was  born  in  Gloucester  County,  Virginia,  on  the  28th  of  September, 
1717,  the  county  where  the   Hawkins  family  seems  to  have  first  settled  on 
their  arrival  in  this  country  from  England.     He  was  a  remarkable  man. 
Born  to  small  fortune,  raised  to   hard  labor,  with  but  a  common  education, 
in  obscurity,  and  without  the  patronage  of  friends.     He  migrated  from  Glou- 
cester at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  leaving  behind  him  a  name  for  industry 
and  energy  of  character.    Bute  County  was  then  inhabited  mostly  by  Indians, 
and  the  semi-savage  whites  who  always  crowd  the  borders  of  a  new  country. 
Here   he   sat   down  with  the   resolute  purpose  to  make  his  fortune,  and 
his  indomitable  perseverance   soon  gave  him  a  start,  upon  which  he  built 
a  fortune  and  a  fame,  that  outstripped  all  his  cotemporaries.     He  was  of 
distinction  in  1772.     He  was  then  the  chief  aid  to  Governor  Tryon  in  the 
Battle  of  Alamance,  fought  with  the  Regulators  in  that  year.     Possessing 
the  means,  he  advanced  his  family  to  the  first  station  in  society,  and  he 
lived  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  well  spent  life,  and  died  in  1801,  in  the  eighty- 
third  year  of  his  age.     He  had  six  children ;  four  sons  and  two  daughters. 
His  sons  were,  in  the  order  of  their  ages,  Colonel  John  Hawkins.  Colonel 
Philemon  Hawkins,  Jr.,   Colonel  Benjamin  Hawkins,  and  Colonel  Joseph  ♦ 
Hawkins.     His  daughters  were,  Delia,  who  married  L.  Bullock,  and  Ann, 
who  married  Micajah  Thomas,  a  man  of  respectable  character  in   Nash 
County.     The  daughters  were  shortrlived,  and  left  no  living  children.     And 
of  the  sons.  Colonel  Joseph  Hawkins  was  an  officer  in  the  Continental  service, 
and  died  in  1785.     The  other  sons,  John,  Philemon,  and  Benjamin,  survived 
their  parents  ;  and  the  two  first  left  numerous  families.     Their  descendants 
were  noted  men,  and  held  respectable  stations  in  life.     Colonel  John  Haw- 
kins had  five  sons  ;  four  of  them  served  many  years  in  the  Assembly:  Phile- 
mon, now  of  Louisburg,  General  John  H.   Hawkins,  and  General  Micajah 
Thomas  Hawkins,  who  now  live  in  Warren,  and  Colonel  Joseph  Hawkins, 
who  died  filling  the  office  of  Comptroller  of  the  State.     General  M.  T.  Haw- 
kins served  many  years  in  Congress. 

Colonel  Philemon  Hawkins,  Jr.,  had  seven  sons  and  five  daughters,  who 
all  lived  to  be  grown.  The  sons  were  William,  John  D.,  Joseph  W.,  Benja- 
min F.,  Philemon,  Frank,  and  George  W.  The  six  youngest  sons  all  gradu- 
ated at  the  University  of  North  Carolina.  The  daughters  were  Eleanor,  who 
is  now  tlie  widow  of  the  late  Sherwood  Haywood,  of  Ealeigh  ;  Ann,  ^ho  mar- 
ried William  P.  Little,  late  of  Warren ;  Delia,  now  the  widow  of  the  late 


WAKREN  COUNTY.  427 

Stephen  Haywood,  of  Raleigh;  Sarah,  who  was  the  widow  of  the  late  Colonel 
William  Polk,  of  Raleigh,  and  Lucy  Davis  Ruffin,  who  was  the  first  wife  of 
the  late  Louis  I).  Henry,  of  Raleigh. 

Colonel  Benjamin  Plawkins  left  one  son  and  five  daughters;  only  three 
daughters  are  now  living.  He  was  raised  to  habits  of  industry  and  economy, 
but  he  possessed  a  liberal  spirit,  which  he  inherited  from  his  parents,  who 
possessed  and  practiced  it  in  an  eminent  degree.  No  private  house  in  North 
Carolina  was  more  extensively  known,  and  none  where  more  enlarged  hospi- 
tality was  dispensed,  than  at  the  house  of  the  late  Colonel  Philemon  Haw- 
kins, Sr. 

In  the  early  education  of  Benjamin"  Hawkins,  he  was  sent  to  the  best 
schools  the  country  afforded.  There  were  then  no  academies  near  at  hand, 
and  no  college  in  the  State.  The  nearest  college  was  William  and  Mary,  in 
Virginia,  but  in  the  estimation  of  his  father,  Princeton  College  had  the  pre- 
ference, and,  therefore,  he  and  his  younger  brother,  Joseph,  were  sent  to  that 
institution.  There  they  remained  until  the  war  of  the  Revolution  suspended 
the  exercises,  at  which  time,  Benjamin  and  his  brother  Joseph  were  members 
of  the  Senior  Class.  Colonel  Hawkins,  when  he  left  college  was  a  ripe  scho- 
lar of  his  grade,  and  understood  and  spoke  French  well.  The  intercourse 
which  General  Washington  had  with  the  French  officers,  and  not  being  able 
himself  to  speak  French,  rendered  it  necessary  he  should  have  some  mem- 
ber of  his  family  to  aid  him  in  that  particuliir.  He  formed  an  acquaintance 
with  Colonel  Hawkins  and  pressed  him  into  his  service  as  a  member  of  his 
family,  where  he  remained  some  time.  He  was  at  the  Battle  of  Monmouth 
with  Washington,  in  1779,  and  in  many  other  situations  before  and  after  that 
battle.  The  servant  who  attended  upon  and  belonged  to  Colonel  Hawkins 
at  that  battle,  was  freed  in  1801,  and  lived  upwards  of  forty  years  afterwards. 

In  1780,  Colonel  Hawkins  was  chosen  by  the  North  Carolina  Legislature, 
commercial  agent  to  procure  all  things  needful,  home  or  abroad,  for  the  use 
and  support  of  the  war,  and  defence  of  the  State.  During  this  time  he  acted 
as  aide-de  camp  to  Governor  Nash.  As  commercial  agent,  he  repaired  to  the 
island  of  St.  Eustatia,  to  procure  arms  and  munitions  of  war.  In  that  cha- 
racter he  purchased  many  articles,  and  put  them  on  board  the  vessels  of  a 
then  rich  merchant  of  Newbern,  North  Carolina;  John  Wright  Stanly,  f;\ther 
of  the  late  John  Stanly.  These  vessels  and  cargoes  were  captured  by  the  Bri- 
tish vessels  of  war,  and  that  capture  ruined  the  gre.at  fortune  of  the  unfortunate 
Stanly,  who  sought  redress  at  the  hands  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  but 
was  refused  it,  when  it  should  have  been  allowed  him.  Mr.  Stanly  then 
brought  suit  against  Colonel  Hawkins  in  his  individual  character,  which  took 
its  turn  in  the  courts,  creating  some  excitement.  But  the  court  decided  (1st 
Haywood)  that  the  purchases  and  contracts  of  the  State's  agent,  did  not  bind 
him  individually. 

On  the  13th  of  May,  1782,  Colonel  Hawkins  was  elected  by  the  General 
Assembly  a  member  of  Congi-ess  to  the  old  confederation  for  one  year,  and 
was  re-eiected  on  the  14th  of  May,  1783,  for  a  like  term,  and  was  present  at 
Annapolis  in  that  year,  being  the  memorable  Congress  before  whom  General 
Washington  appeared,  to  lay  down  his  commission  as  Commander-in-chief  of 
the  American  armies. 

On  the  21st  of  March,  1785,  being  then  a  member  of  Congress,  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  Congress,  having  been  unanimously  nominated  by  the  whole 
North  Carolina  delegation  in  Congress,  a  Commissioner,  together  with  Daniel 
Carrol  and  William  Perry,  to  treat  with  the  Cherokees  and  all  other  Indians 
south  of  them.  He  was  also  appointed  by  Congress,  same  year,  as  a  commis- 
sioner, associated  with  Gen.  Andrew  Pickens,  Joseph  Martin,  and  Lauchlin 
Mcintosh,  to  negotiate  with  the  Creek  Indians.  They  concluded  the  treaty 
of  Galphinton,  and  in  the  same  commission  they  concluded  the  treaty  of 
Hopewell  with  the  Cberokees.  He  was  again  elected  a  member  of  Congress 
in  1786,  to  serve  until  the  first  Monday  of  March,  1787.  In  1789,  he  was 
elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  together  with  Samuel  Johnston, 
Esq.,  the  two  first  Senators  chosen  by  North  Carolina  under  the  Federal 
Constitution,  and  he  was  qualified   and  took  his  seat  the  i3th  ot  Janu- 


428  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

jirv,  1700.  In  the  classification  he  "was  allotted  to  serve  six  years.  By 
the  General  Assembly,  who  elected  these  two  Senators,  Governor  John- 
ston was  elected  on  the  first  ballot,  and  the  contest  for  the  other  was  be- 
tween Colonel  Benjamin  Hawkins  and  Colonel  William  Blount,  afterwards 
Governor  Blount  of  Tennessee,  and  Senator- from  that  State  in  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States.  These  two  gentlemen,  before  this  conflict,  had  been  par- 
ticularly friendly,  had  served  together  frequently  in  the  Congress  of  the  Con- 
federation, and  in  other  stations.  This  contest  was  waged  by  their  friends, 
not  by  themselves.  In  fact,  each  had  a  brother  in  the  Assembly,  and  they 
were  both  men  of  influence  in  that  body.  When  Colonel  Hawkins  was 
elected,  it  was  against  his  wishes,  as  he  disliked  strife,  such  as  he  saw  this 
contest  would  lead  to.  But  his  elder  brother.  Colonel  Philemon  Hawkins,  Jr., 
willed  it  otherwise,  and  so  the  election  was  decided.  This  election  produced 
a  breach  among  old  friends,  that  was  never  after  healed.  They  never 
after  looked  with  a  friendly  eye  upon  the  elder  members  of  the  Hawkins 
family.  The  after  generations  of  both  families  inculcated  a  warm  friend- 
ship for  each  other,  which  ripened  into  marriages.  That  friendship  still 
exists,  and  is  much  valued  on  both  sides. 

Colonel  Benjamin  Hawkins  served  out  his  full  term  of  six  years  in  the 
Senate,  but  it  was  known  for  some  time  before  the  end  of  that  period,  among 
his  friends,  that  General  Washington  was  importuning  him  to  accept  the 
agency  of  superintending  all  the  Indians  south  of  the  Ohio.  He  Vjy  no  means 
solicited  that  appointment.  On  the  contrary,  he  was  induced  to  accept  it  only 
at  the  particular  desire  of  the  President,  and  much  against  the  wishes  of  his 
friends  and  relatives,  who  never  doubted  his  ability,  but  they  believed  it 
would  be  such  an  abstraction  from  civilized  life,  and  such  a  close  connection 
with  savages,  that,  although  his  purpose  was  predicated  upon  patriotism 
and  an  extended  benevolence,  yet  the  task  for  a  man  of  refinement,  in  the 
possession  of  an  ample  fortune,  would  be  so  onerous  as  to  render  his  situa- 
tion extremely  uncomfortable.  During  the  time  of  his  service  in  the  Senate 
and  before,  when  at  home  he  lived  with  his  father  and  mother  (their  only 
child),  he  was  the  delight  of  their  declining  years,  and  his  father's  house 
being  the  seat  of  hospitality,  it  was  much  frequented  by  visitors  of  all  sorts, 
and  from  various  parts  of  the  world.  Exiled  Frenchmen  of  distinction,  during 
their  Revolution  and  the  reign  of  Ptobespierre,  sought  an  asylum  in  the 
United  States,  and  in  this  agreeable  and  hospitable  retreat  their  sorrows  found 
sympathy  and  repose. 

Being  then  a  man  of  fortune,  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  of  life,  he 
was  the  idol  of  his  pai-ents  and  relatives,  and  particularly  acceptable  to  every- 
body. Their  regrets  at  his  acceptance  of  the  agency  may  be  estimated  by 
their  reflection  of  his  transfer  from  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  to  a 
dweller  among  savages.  His  administration  as  agent  is  left  to  history,  and 
fortunately,  enough  of  his  writings  were  preserved  from  the  flames  which 
burnt,  accidentally,  his  house,  shortly  after  his  death,  as  well  as  that  there 
are  yet  living  in  Georgia,  and  elsewhere,  men  who  shared  his  munificence, 
and  witnessed  his  rare  and  transcendant  attainments,  his  high  and  amiable 
qualifications,  and  his  unbounded  philanthropy  and  patriotism,  to  enable 
history  to  perpetuate  his  name.  He  has  done  much  to  establish  the  topo- 
graphy of  Georgia,  and  left  many  valuable  materials  for  her  history,  which 
have  been  embodied  to  that  end.  Many  volumes  of  his  manuscript  writings 
were  destroyed,  it  is  supposed,  when  his  house  was  burnt,  but  the  indefati- 
gable antiquarian,  J.  K.  Teft,  Esq.,  Corresponding  Secretary  to  the  Georgia 
Historical  Society,  writes  to  a  relative  of  Coloneril.  in  North  Carolina,  that 
the  Society  have  in  their  possession  eleven  volumes  in  manuscript,  of  his 
writings,  which  are  in  preparation  for  publication,  which  were  procured  with 
great  earnestness  and  solicitude  as  valuable  monuments  to  the  renown  of 
the  author,  and  use  to  the  history  of  Georgia.  And  that  part  of  the  series 
relating  to  topography,  has  been  published  at  the  private  expense  of  Mr. 
William  B.  Hodgson,  a  member  of  the  Society,  and  a  gentleman  of  profound 
erudition,  who  says,  their  intrinsic  worth,  coming  from  a  man  of  such  Roman 
virtues,  made  it  a  labor  of  love  to  him. 


WARREN  COUNTY.  429 

To  show  his  lack  of  solicitude  for  office,  the  archives  at  Washington  show 
that  he  tendered  his  resignation  to  every  President,  from  Gen.  Washington 
to  the  time  of  his  death,  but  not  one  of  them  would  accept  it,  telling  him  he 
must  remain,  that  his  services  were  indispensable.  These  flattering  replies 
made  by  all  the  Presidents  of  his  time,  caused  him  to  continue  to  bear  the 
bui'dens  of  holding  on,  the  easier,  and  thereby  only  was  he  kept  so  long  in 
the  arduous  duties  of  Indian  Agent.  It  was  extensively  known  for  many 
years  he  wished  to  leave  the  Agency,  and  during  the  administration  of  Mr. 
Jefferson,  a  recommendation  was  got  up  in  favor  of  another  person  to  be  his 
successor,  which  was  presented  to  him,  Mr.  Jefferson  replied  he  saw  there 
was  no  difficulty  to  get  a  successor,  but  the  difficulty  was  to  induce  him  to 
hold  on,  and  so  long  as  that  could  be  done,  no  successor  would  be  appointed. 

In  the  year  1801,  the  first  year  of  Mr.  Jefferson's  administration.  Colonel 
Hawkins'  previous  commission  having  expired  by  its  limitation,  he  was  reap- 
pointed, and  as  joint  commissioner  with  General  Wilkinson  and  General 
Andrew  Pickens,  to  negotiate  treaties  with  the  Chickasaws,  Choctaws,  and 
Natchez. 

He  had  long  been  in  bad  health,  from  exposure,  and  had  so  often  deter- 
mined to  resign,  and  leave  the  burdensome  charge  of  Indian  responsibilities, 
that  at  the  close  of  his  life,  Government  seemed  willing,  from  his  declining 
health,  to  give  him  up.  But  when  he  died  he  was  still  the  agent,  having 
called  to  his  assistance  his  nephew,  Capt.  Philemon  Hawkins,  son  of  Colonel 
Philemon  Hawkins,  of  Warren  County,  North  Carolina,  who  at  the  close  of 
the  war  in  1815,  resigned  his  commission  in  the  army  as  Captain  of  Artillery, 
and  at  the  particular  request  of  his  uncle  had  joined  him  as  assistant  agent. 
Captain  Hawkins  was  also  in  bad  health,  having  taken  cold  in  the  military 
service,  which  settled  on  his  lungs.  He  lived  some  months  only  after  the  death 
of  his  uncle,  discharging  the  duties  of  agent.  Governor  Mitchell,  of  Georgia, 
was  then  appointed,  and  before  his  installation.  Captain  Hawkins  died.  And 
subsequently,  when  Governor  Mitchell  took  charge  of  the  Agency  it  was  neces- 
sary he  should  have  reference  to  and  possession  of  some  documents  among  the 
papers  of  Captain  Hawkins,  then  at  the  Agency,  in  his  trunks  ;  and  Governor 
Mitchell  wrote  to  Governor  Hawkins  in  North  Carolina,  who  was  the  executor 
of  Captain  Hawkins,  as  also  of  Colonel  Benjamin  Hawkins,  for  permission  to 
go  among  the  papers  to  procure  them,  which  request  was  complied  with.  Gov. 
Mitchell  did  notremain  long  in  the  Agency,  and  was  succeeded  by  Colonel  John 
Crowell.  Against  his  administration  there  were  objections  and  remonstrances 
made  to  the  Government  by  the  Indians  and  others,  in  1825 ;  one  of  these  was 
signed  by  Benjamin  Hawkins.  This  caused  the  misconception  that  it  was 
Colonel  Benjamin  Hawkins,  and  that  he  was  alive  at  that  time.  AVhereas 
the  Benjamin  Hawkins  who  signed  the  remonstrance  was  a  half-breed  Indian 
who  assumed  the  name.  There  was  also  a  William  Hawkins  and  a  John 
Hawkins,  names  assumed  by  the  Indians  out  of  veneration  and  affection  fur 
Colonel  Hawkins,  possessing  not  a  drop  of  his  blood  in  their  veins.  It  is 
well  vouched  for  that  he  would  never  permit  an  intercourse  of  that  sort,  for 
many  reasons,  well  known  to  his  friends.  He  was  of  opinion  it  was  Cbsential 
to  Indian  government  that  no  such  familiarity  should  be  tolerated. 

No  man  was  more  exemplary  in  many  respects,  and  particularly  for  eco- 
nomy and  judicious  management  of  his  pecuniary  affairs.  By  this  means 
he  always  had  a  moneyed  ability  to  administer  to  his  munificence,  and  to 
keep  within  his  income.  He  inculcated  and  practiced  the  maxim  that, 
any  article  was  too  costly  to  be  purchased  at  any  price,  however  small,  if  it 
was  not  needed  for  use  or  speculation. 

When  Colonel  Hawkins  resolved  to  accept  the  Agency  in  179G,  he  cast 
about  in  his  mind  how  he  should  dispose  of  portions  of  his  estate  to  be  left 
behind  him.  He  had  understood  that  his  youngest  brother,  Joseph,  who  had 
given  him  his  estate,  had  intimated  in  his  lifetime  a  desire  in  some  shape 
that  his  elder  brother  Philemon,  should  have  a  large  body  of  land  he  owned 
in  the  adjoining  county  of  Franklin  at  a  mere  nominal  price.  This  land  he 
would  and  did  convey  to  his  brother  Philemon,  and  for  the  nominal  consider- 


430  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

ation  only,  though  his  brother  bv  no  means  desired  it:  for  the  mere  legal 
consiileration  was  too  fur  short  for  a  fair  equivalent,  and  the  moral  induce- 
ment insufficient  to  compel  siich  a  course.  But  so  it  was  done,  and  nothing 
short  of  it  would  satisfy  Oolonel  Benjamin  Hawkins. 

He  had  a  niece  married  to  a  man  in  moderate  circumstances.  He  moved  him 
and  his  family  to  his  large  Roanoke  estate,  and  put  thein  in  possession  of  every- 
thing there  as  they  stood,  negroes  and  all,  and  gave  them  the  free  use  of  all  until 
called  for.  They  kept  the  estate  in  this  way  for  many  years,  until  Colonel  Haw- 
kins concludedto  remove  his  negroes  to  his  residence  in  the  Creek  nation, 
where  he  established  a  model  farm.  There  he  cultivated  extensively,  made 
large  crops  of  grain,  which  had  become  in  great  demand  to  supply  the  immense 
emigration  to  the  Territory,  now  the  States  of  Alabama  and  Mississippi,  and 
on  to  New  Orleans.  He  owned  mechanics  of  various  kinds  ;  he  built  mills, 
houses,  wagons,  fixtures,  and  implements  of  all  sorts  suited  to  the  demands 
of  the  country.  He  had  a  large  stock  of  cattle,  which  the  Indians  were  scru- 
pulous to  protect  while  he  Avas  alive,  but  when  he  died  they  stole  them  with- 
out limit.  He  built  a  bridge  across  the  river  at  the  Agency,  and  had  a  gate 
upon  it  to  separate  his  cows  and  calves.  He  had  at  one  time  upwards  of  five 
hundred  calves.  The  milk  was  extensively  taken  from  the  cows,  and  the 
butter  taken  from  it  by  a  machine  operated  by  horse  power.  Colonel  Haw- 
kins possessed  in  a  high  degree  not  only  science  to  conceive  anything  he 
desired,  but  practical  common  sense  necessary  to  its  full  achievement.  This 
addition  to  his  groat  energy  of  character  created  success. 

Col.  Benjamin  Hawkins,  in  the  year  1797,  wrote  to  his  brother,  Colonel 
Philemon  Hawkins,  and  desired  him  to  send  him  his  son  William,  then  a 
law  student  under  Judge  Williams  at  Williamsboro',  to  aid  him  in  his 
Indian  department ;  and  intimated  as  he  had  no  family,  he  wished  him  as 
one  to  share  his  toils,  and  to  profit  by  their  joint  efforts  in  the  character  of  a 
son.  William  Hawkins  accepted  the  call  and  aided  his  uncle  in  the  depart- 
ment for  two  years,  as  assistant  agent,  when  Colonel  Hawkins  was  of  opinion 
that  a  young  man  living  so  long  among  Indians,  might  acquire  a  manner 
unsuited  to  polished  life.  He  therefore  prevailed  with  his  nephew  to  visit 
Philadelphia,  and  live  in  that  fashionable  city,  and  renew  some  of  his  former 
studies,  particularly  his  French,  in  a  society  where  the  opportunity  for 
conversation  in  that  language,  would  enable  him  the  better  to  accom- 
plish it.  After  remaining  there  near  two  years  he  returned  to  North  Caro- 
lina, and  circumstances  and  incidents  occurring,  he,  in  the  meantime,  got 
married,  and,  of  course,  declined  to  join  his  uncle  in  the  Indian  depart- 
ment. After  awhile,  Colonel  Hawkins  married  and  had  children.  William 
Hawkins  knowing  the  extreme  punctiliousness  of  his  uncle  never  to  create 
an  expectation  without  fulfilling  to  the  letter  its  object,  he  wrote  him  that  he 
remembered  vrith  grateful  recollection  all  his  past  favors,  and  his  intima- 
tions to  give  him  all  his  property,  but  since  that  time  circumstances  bad 
greatly  changed  ;  he  now  had  children  of  his  own,  who  were  the  natural 
objects  of  his  bounty;  the  promise  to  him  was  at  a  time  anterior  to  that, 
and  predicated  upon  the  assumption  of  his  never  having  children;  that  he 
understood  it  in  this  light,  and  would  view  it  in  no  other,  and  desired  espe- 
cially that  his  uncle  would  view  it  in  the  same  light,  protesting  a  total  un- 
willingness to  have  any  part  of  his  estate,  and  released  him  from  all  moral 
obligation  growing  out  of  that  promise.  Nevertheless  when  Colonel  Haw- 
kins died,  who  had  not  seen  his  nephew  for  many  years,  he  left  aAvill  dividing 
his  estate  equally  between  his  wife,  his  six  children,  and  his  nephew,  giving 
each  an  eighth  part,  and  leaving  him.  moreover,  his  sole  executor.  His  estate 
was  worth  aljout  One  Hundred  and  Sixty  Thousand  Dollars.  As  additional 
evidence  of  his  disinterestedness,  Micajah  Thomas,  who  had  married  his 
sister  Ann,  and  received  by  her  a  handsome  patrimony,  and  who  had  died 
long  before,  leaving  no  child,  and  was  a  man  of  very  large  fortune,  he  sent 
especially  for  Col.  Hawkins  when  upon  his  deathbed  to  visit  him.  He  told 
him  on  his  arrival  he  had  sent  for  him  to  write  his  will  and  to  give  him  a 
large  portion  of  his  estate.     Mr.  Thomas  was  surrounded  by  many  respectable 


WARREN  COUNTY.  '  431 

friends  at  the  time.  Colonel  Hawtins  told  him  he  would  write  no  such  will; 
•'that  he  vahied  his  friendly  feelings  thus  expressed,  but  that  he  was  sufficiently 
■provided  for,  and  as  Mr.  Thomas  had  blood  relations  he  advised  him  to  give 
his  estate  to  them.  When  Mr.  Thomas  found  he  could  not  get  him  to  accept 
""of  the  offered  legacy  he  entreated  him  to  accept  of  five  hundred  guineas, 
which  he  also  positively  refused,  and  wrote  his  will  giving  his  property  t,o 
his  relatives.       •  -      ■  . 

Colonel  Hawkins  possessed  in  a  high  degree  the  happy  turn  of  character 
to  make  himself  acceptable,  and  a  favorite  with  everybody.  lie  stood  par- 
ticularly in  that  relation  with  General  Nathaniel  Greene,  and  when  that  dis- 
tinguished officer  desired  to  go  South  to  look  out  for  a  new  residence  in  the 
year  1785,  he  went  to  see  Col.  Hawkins,  and  staid  with  him  until  he  prevailed 
with  him  to  accompany  him.  They  explored  as  far  South  as  St.  Augustine, 
and  General  Greene  finally  selected  a  residence  upon  one  of  the  sea  Islands 
upon  the  southern  coast  of  Georgia. 

It  is  a  well  known  trait  in  the  Indian  character,  that  whenever  war  is 
waged  in  their  neighborhood,  their  restless  temperament  will  cause  them  to 
take  part.  When  General  Jackson  was  carrying  on  the  Creek  war,  it  was 
thought  by  the  Government,  and  so  advised  by  Colonel  Hawkins,  that  a  regi- 
ment should  be  raised  of  the  friendly  Indians  to  keep  them  in  check  and 
from  going  over  to  the  enemy.  Colonel  Hawkins  was  Colonel-commandant, 
and  the  celebrated  half-breed,  Mcintosh,  was  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  regi- 
ment. 

This  regiment  was  in  the  service  of  the  Government  a  considerable  time. 
Colonel  Hawkins,  at  his  own  private  expense,  relying  to  be  remunerated 
by  Government,  provisioned  and  supplied  it,  in  great  part,  with  provi- 
sions, munitions,  &c.  He  had  large  herds  of  cattle,  lai'ge  quantities  of 
grain  to  furnish  needful  supplies,  and  doubtless  had  and  kept  necessary  and 
proper  vouchers,  as  he  was  a  man  of  great  system,  to  cover  and  set  forth  his 
expenditures.  But  his  house  was  accidentally  burnt,  shortly  after  his  death, 
destroying  many  of  his  vouchers.  Had  he  been  alive  to  settle  his  own  mat- 
ters, his  knowledge  might  have  supplied,  in  a  degree,  the  loss  of  his  papers. 
This  worked  a  great  loss  to  his  estate.  His  executor  had  great  trouble 
to  settle  his  accounts,  owing  to  this  loss  of  papers,  making  a  loss  to  his 
estate  of  many  thousand  dollars.  His  accounts  had  to  pass  the  scrutiny 
of  the  First  Auditor  of  the  Treasury,*  who  had  filled  that  appointment 
from  the  time  the  Government  first  went  to  Washington,  and  who  was  so 
""■watchful  of  the  people's  money,  he  was  of  opinion,  in  the  construction  of 
a  staJtute,  he  must  look  to  the  letter,  and  not  at  all  to  the  equity,  or  common 
sense  meaning  of  it.  For  instance,  in  construing  the  act  of  Congress,  giving 
pay  for  the  loss  of  horses  in  the  Florida  war.  he  decided  it  did  not  extend  to 
mules,  because  a  horse  was  not  a  mule.  Before  this  gentleman,  the  executor 
of  Colonel  Benjamin  Hawkins  had  to  appear  for  a  settlement,  and  by  that 
settlement  his^^&state  did  lose,  owing  to  the  loss  of  papers  and  this  rigid  ex- 
actness, a  Ifirge  amount  expended  in  behalf  of  the  American  people.  Thus 
ended  tb«  career  of  a  man  who  may  well  be  said  to  have  filled,  in  the  stations 
to  which  he  was  called,  and  in  private  life,  the  measure  of  his  duty,  and 
after  passing  through  the  many  scenes  of  a  long,  a  laborious,  and  active  life, 
closed  his  career  of  usefulness  to  his  country  and  to  his  fellow  man  with  an 
honor  and  a  reputation  which  deserves  to  be  recorded  for  future  example  to 
the  living.     "  History  is  philosophy  teaching  by  example." 

The  celebrated  French  General,  Moreau,  when  an  exile  in  this  country,  had 
to  pass,  on  his  visit  to  New  Orleans,  the  residence  of  Colonel  Hawkins,  and 
thereby  made  his  acquaintance  at  the  Agency.  He  became  suddenly  so 
impressed  Avith  him,  and  captivated  by  his  powers  in  conversation,  beau- 
tifully expressed  in  French,  that  he  sojourned  with  him  a  long  time,  and 
after  leaving  him  he  pronounced  him  the  most  remarkable  man  he  had  found 
in  America. 

*  The  late  Peter  Hagner,  E^•q. 


432  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

The  publication  of  the  writings  of  Colonel  Hawkins,  are  in  progress  under 
the  guidance  of  the  Georgia  Historical  Society.  His  writings  upon  the  subject 
of  Topography  and  the  Indian  character,  and  his  writings  called  "A  Sketch 
of  the  Creek  Country,"  have  attracted  particular  admiration.  The  latter  has 
been  published  under  the  name  of  the  Georgia  Historical  Society,  but  at  the 
private  expense  of  William  B.  Hodgson,  Esq.,  a  gentleman  of  fortune  and  great 
learning,  who  remarks  that  its  usefulness  may  be  estimated  by  its  having 
been  copied  in  manuscript,  in  these  times  when  printing  has  so  many  facili- 
ties, into  five  copies. 

Colonel  Hawkins'  treatise  upon  the  subject  of  Indian  Language,  sent  by 
him  to  Mr.  Jefferson  and  by  him  to  Mr.  Gallatin,  was  held  by  both  of  these 
gentlemen  in  the  highest  estimation,  and  is  expected  substantially  to  appear 
in  the  writings  of  Mr.  Gallatin,  which  occupied  him  to  the  time  of  his  death, 
upon  the  character  of  the  Aborigines  of  America.  But  Mr.  Jefferson  knew 
and  appreciated  Colonel  Hawkins  at  a  very  early  period.  It  is  known  that 
he  kept  a  journal,  systematically  arranged,  and  headed  by  the  name  of  every 
State  in  the  Union,  beginning  with  Massachusetts  in  which,  among  other 
things,  he  recorded  the  names  of  the  persons,  and  their  recommendations,  for 
appointment  to  office.  In  1789,  under  the  head  of  North  Carolina,  upon  the 
subject  of  the  appointment  of  Federal  Judge  for  the  State,  Mr.  Jefferson 
remarks,  "  Hawkins  recommended  John  Sitgreaves  as  a  very  clever  gentle- 
man, of  good  deportment,  well  skilled  in  the  law  for  a  man  of  his  age,  and, 
should  he  live  long  enough,  will  be  an  ornament  to  his  profession.  He  was 
appointed,  Spaight  and  Blount  concurring." 

This  scrap-book  of  Mr.  Jefferson's  was  purchased  of  his  executor  the  last 
year  of  President  Polk's  administration,  and  by  him  shown  to  the  author  of 
this  Memoir. 

Nathaniel  Macon  was  born,  lived,  and  died  in  Warren  county.  His  long 
and  successful  career  in  public  life  has  rendered  his  name  known  in  the 
annals  of  the  State  and  nation ;  and  his  peculiar  course  of  policy  has  been 
stamped  upon  her  history. 

His  ancestors  were  from  Virginia.     He  was  born  in  this  county  in  1757. 
His  early  youth  was  marked  by  diligence  ;  a  generous  frankness  of  cha- 
racter ;  an   inquiring  mind  for  information ;  and  a  sturdy  independence  in 
thought  and  action. 

He  was  sent  to  Princeton  College  to  complete  his  education  ;  the  troubles 
of  the  Revolution  closed  the  halls  of  science  ;  he  returned  home,  and  volun- 
teered as  a  private,  in  the  service  of  his  country,  in  a  company  commanded 
by  his  brother.* 

This  position  he  preferred  to  that  of  an  officer,  which  was  tendered  to  him. 
This  perversion  from  the  ordinary  ambition,  so  natural  to  men,  was  remark- 
able in  his  whole  after  life ;  he  seemed  as  free  from  this,  as  from  the  thirst 
for  gain  ;  since  for  his  services  in  the  field,  he  refused  and  never  received  a 
cent  from  his  suffering  country. f  It  would  seem  by  his  whole  career,  that 
neither  the  love  of  fame,  nor  the  acquisition  of  wealth,  had  any  influence 
upon  his  well-balanced  mind.  His  country  was  in  danger  ;  her  liberties  in 
peril.  This  he  knew,  and  to  her  services  he  devoted  all  the  energies  of  his 
mind  and  l)ody.  He  loved  his  country  as  a  fond  son  loves  his  venerated 
mother ;  and  what  son  would  require  any  reward  for  defending  this  mother, 
in  poverty  and  in  distress,  from  injury  or  insult,  beyond  the  consciousness  of 
having  done  his  duty? 

While  in  the  array,  he  was  elected  by  the  people,  a  member  of  the  Legis- 
lature, without  his  knowledge  or  consent.  Such  was  his  patriotism,  and 
hie  attachment  to  his  companions  in  arms,  that  for  a  time  he  resisted  all 
allurements  to  leave  the  army  ;  but  by  the  persuasions  of  his  commanding 
officers,  he  left  this  for  a  different  service  ;  and  here  he  was  destined  to  a 

*  IngersoU's  History  of  the  War  of  1812,  p.  209. 
t  Coltoa's  Life  of  Macon,  p.  47.  • 


WARREN  COUNTY.  433 

long  and  brilliant  career.     lie  served  several  years  as  a  member  of  the 
General  Assembly. 

About  this  time,  he  married  Miss  Hannah  Plummer,  an  accomplished  lady, 
and  of  one  of  the  most  excellent  families  in  the  State.  In  this,  he  had  oppo- 
sition ;  for  she  was  an  object  worthy  of  the  richest  aifections.  It  is  recorded, 
that  vrhile  on  a  visit  to  her,  he  met  one  of  her  suitors  at  her  house.  With  his 
characteristic  frankness,  he  proposed  to  his  rival,  in  the  presence  of  Miss 
Plummer,  that  they  should  play  a  game  of  cards  for  her  hand,  as  that  was 
the  shortest  and  an  amicable  way  to  decide  the  controversy.  This  was  agreed 
to  ;  and  they  played.  Macon  lost ;  upon  which,  raising  his  hands,  with  his 
eyes  beaming  with  affection,  he  exclaimed,  "■Hannah,  I  have  lost  you  fairly, 
hut  love  is  superior  to  fortune !     I  cannot  give  you  up ;  I  love  you  yet." 

This  frank  conduct,  it  is  said,  secured  him  the  hand  of  the  lady.  A  life  of 
uninterrupted  domestic  felicity  to  her,  proved  the  wisdom  of  her  conduct. 
He  was  happy  in  the  wife  of  his  love,  and  she  was  proud  of  the  husband  of 
her  choice. 

The  sublime  idea  of  the  Roman  poet  was  more  than  realized : 

"  Felices  ter  et  amplius 
Quos  irrupla  tenet  copula ;  nee  malis 
Divulsus  querimoniis 
Suprema  citius  solvet  amor  die."* 

Horace. 

He  now  devoted  himself  to  the  improvement  of  his  farm  and  the  happiness 
of  his  family.     But  fortune  had  not  destined  him  to  remain  in  retirement. 

In  1791,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress  from  this  District :  so  accept- 
able were  his  services,  and  so  patriotic  his  efforts,  that  he  was  continued  from 
the  same  district  until  1815,  when,  without  his  solicitation  or  consent,  he 
was  transferred  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  where  he  served  until  1828. 

In  1824  he  received  the  vote  of  Virginia  (twenty-four  electoral  votes),  as 
Vice-President  of  the  United  States. 

In  1825,  '26  and  '27,  he  was  chosen  President,  j9?-o.  tern.,  of  the  Senate. 

Warned  by  the  advances  of  age,  in  1828,  after  a  service  of  thirty-seven 
years  in  Congress,  he  voluntarily  resigned  all  his  public  trusts  to  the  General 
Assembly. 

A  longer  period  of  continuous  service  in  the  public  councils  is  not  presented 
by  any  one  individual  in  the  annals  of  our  republic. 

From  1801  to  1806,  he  was  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
the  only  individual  from  North  Carolina  who  has  ever  enjoyed  this  distin- 
guished honor. 

His  career  (embracing  the  whole  period  of  the  war  with  Great  Britain)  was 
in  the  most  excited  times  of  the  country.  Yet  with  such  acceptability  did  Mr. 
Macon  pursue  "the  even  tenor"  of  his  way,  uninfluenced  by  parties,  and 
unmoved  by  persuasions  from  any  quarter,  that  he  was  regarded  as  one  of 
the  safest  depositaries  of  popular  power.  He  was  emphatically  and  radically 
a  democrat.  Early  he  was  opposed  to  the  Federal  Constitution,  organized 
upon  the  model  of  the  English  Government,  adapted  to  our  republican  insti- 
tutions, and  in  the  language  of  one  who  was  in  Congress  with  him,t  and  knew 
well  his  motives  of  action,  Macon  was  willing  to  trust  the  people  "further 
than  Jefferson  would  have  ventured,  far  beyond  Washington,  and  to  an  extent 
that  Hamilton  would  have  pronounced  anarchical." 

He  believed,  implicitly  and  cordially  in  the  people,  and  the  people  knew 
it.  This  was  the  sesame  which  threw  open  the  door  of  promotion.  He 
never  held  any  office  but  from  them  ;  and  they,  "  the  people,  loved  him  because 
be  first  loved  them."  He  looked  upon  a  seat  in  Congress,  from  the  people, 
as  the  end  of  his  desires  ;  not  to  be  used  for  his  own  aggrandizement,  or  that 
of  his  family  or  friends,  but  to  serve  them  and  their  real  interest,  and  true 

*  Happy,  and  thrice  happy,  are  those  who  enjoy  an  uninterrupted  union  ;  and  who^ 
ove,  unbroken  by  any  sour  complaints,  shall  continue  until  dissolved  by  death, 
•f  Hon.  Charles  Jared  Ingersoll,  of  Pa. 


434  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

welfaro.  To  him  this  was  the  goal,  not  the  stepping-stone  in  his  career— the 
penultimate  of  his  political  sentiments.  Hence  when  a  seat  in  the  Cabinet, 
and  foreign  missions,  at  different  times,  were  offered  to  him,  they  were  re- 
fused with  a  pertinacity  hardly  respectful. 

To  the  people,  and  the  people  alone,  he  devoted  all  the  faculties  ot  his  mind, 
and  tiic  warmest  inspirations  of  his  heart.  Though  the  friend  of  the  people, 
he  was  not  their  Ihxtterer.  lie  used  no  arts  of  the  demagogue  to  secure  his 
election,  no  undue  means  to  ingratiate  himself  in  their  favor.  In  his  inter- 
course, he  was  frank  and  sincere  ;  and  in  his  correspondence,  rare  and  Laconic. 

The'foUovvino-  is  a  copy  of  one  of  his  circulars  to  every  postmaster  in  his 

district. 

"  Washington,  June  ISth,  1812. 

Sir  :    War  was  decla/red  against  Great  Britain  yesterday. 

Yours,  &c., 

NATHANIEL  MACON." 

In  1805,  liis  speech  to  the  House  on  his  taking  the  chair,  when  elected 
Speaker,  was : — 

Gentlemen:  Accept  my  sincere  thanks  for  the  honor  you  have  conferred 
upon  me.  Permit  me  to  assure  tjou  that  my  utmost  endeavors  will  be  exerted  to 
discharge  the  duties  of  the  Chair,  with  ^fidelity,  impartiality,  and  industry,  and 
that  I  rely  with  confidence  on  the  liberal  and  candid  support  of  the  Mouse. 

This  is  recorded  as  a  model  for  our  days,  when  the  same  ideas,_and  no  more, 
are  conveyed  in  a  lengthy  address,  as  to  honors  unexpected  (which  have  been 
eagerly  sought  and  desired),  as  to  want  of  qualification  (which  may  be  too 
true),  and  protestations  of  impartiality  and  fairness  (which  are  evinced  by 
packing  every  Committee  of  a  particular  party). 

His  belief  in  politics  was,  that"  the  world  is  governed  too  much  ;  that  society 
in  every  state  is  a  blessing ;  but  government  in  its  best  state  but  a  necessary 
evil,  for  when  we  suffer  from  the  miseries  of  d  government  our  calamity  is 
heightened  by  the  reflection  that  we  furnish  the  means  by  which  we  suffer. 
Government,  like  dress,  is  a  badge  of  fallen  innocence  ;  the  palaces  of  kings 
are  built  on  the  ruins  of  the  bowers  of  paradise."  _  Macon's  course  is  marked 
throughout  his  whole  career  in  Congress  by  this  principle.  His  constant 
effort  was  to  let  the  power  remain  with  the  people  where  it  belonged,  and 
for  the  government  to  protect  the  people  in  their  rights,  liberties,  and  lives, 
and  do  no  more.  Hence,  during  his  service,  he  was  in  much  of  the  eight 
years  of  Washington's  adtninistration,  all  of  John  Adams',  in  most  of  Jeffer- 
son's, and  part  of  Madison's,  in  the  opposition.  Although  he  voted  during 
Mr.  Madison's  administration,  for  the  war,  yet  many  measures  of  this  admin- 
istration he  did  not  support.  "In  the  nearly  forty  years  he  served  in  Con- 
gress, no  ten  members  gave  as  many  negative  votes."  He  was  told  once  in 
Congress,  by  an  intimate  friend,  that  "if  Mr.  Macon  should  happen  to  be 
drowned,  he  would  not  look  down  the  current^or  his  body,  hut  up  the  stream." 
No  plan,  however  specious,  no  device  however  artfully  contrived,  no  schenie 
however  plausible,  swerved  his  steady  mind  from  its  firm  purpose.  Yet  this 
opposition  was  not  ascetic,  or  his  course  factious  :  his  opposition  was  open,  his 
reasons  plain,  and  his  intercourse  frank  and  pleasant.  He  often  spoke  in 
Congress,  always  agreeable  and  amiable,  but  firm  and  always  opinionated. 

He  was  the  Father  of  a  sect  of  politicians  "strict,  severe,  and  stringent," 
of  which  Cave  Johnson,  Henry  W.  Conner,  and  James  J.  McKay  were 
disciples,  and  which,  "  in  these  pursy  times  of  peace,"  are  so  muchneeded 
in  our  public  councils.  Viewed  by  the  naked  eye  of  truth,  their  principles 
will  appear  the  more  sound  the  more  they  are  examined.  They  have  been 
adopted  as  the  landmarks  of  our  government ;  and  the  more  a  government 
is  administered  upon  these  principles,  the  safer  will  be  the  honor  of  the  nation 
and  more  secure  the  liberties  of  the  people.' 

Such  was  Nathaniel  Macon,  in  Congress.     John  Randolph  declares  in  his 


WARREN  COUNTY.  435 

■will,  that  "Mr.  Macon  was  the  wisest  and  best  man  he  ever  knew;"  and 
Mr.  Jefferson  said,  that  when  Nathaniel  Macon  died,  that  the  "last  of  the 
liomann"  of  our  Republic  would  have  departed. 

In  1828,  he  resigned  to  the  General  Assembly  all  his  public  trusts,  then  in 
his  seventy-first  year;  feeling,  like  the  wise  captain  of  Charles  Y.,  that  some 
period  should  intervene  between  the  active  duties  of  life  and  the  time  of 
leaving  it.  He  resigned,  in  a  short  note  to  the  Legislature,  his  office  as 
Senator  in  Congress,  as  Trustee  of  the  University,  and  as  Justice  of  the  Peace 
for  Warren  County. 

But  this  did  not  terminate  his  public  career. 

In  1835,  a  Convention  was  assembled  at  Raleigh  to  amend  the  Consti- 
tution, and  the  people  desired  the  aid  of  his  experience,  wisdom,  and 
judgment. 

Of  this  respectable  and  talented  body,  Mr.  Macon  was  chosen  President. 
The  Journal  of  that  body,  and  its  debates,  show  the  experience  of  this 
distinguished  patriot. 

He  did  not  approve  of  land  qualification  for  voters.  In  an  able,  but  short 
speech,  he  supposed  the  case  of  two  respectable  neighboi's,  having  each  a  son. 
One  of  them  had  fifty  acres  of  poor  land,  not  worth  twenty-five  cents  an 
acre  ;  the  other  had  no  land,  but  was  a  good  blacksmith  or  shoemaker,  and 
of  equal  good  character.     Why  allow  one  to  vote  and  not  the  other  ? 

How  truly  subsequent  political  events  in  our  State  have  proved  the  wisdom 
of  this,  and  established  free  suffrage  as  a  part  of  our  Constitution. 

He  opposed  biennial  sessions,  and  declared  "  ivliere  annual  elections  end, 
tyranny  begins." 

In  every  one  of  the  "old  thirteen  States"  the  Legislatures  sit  annually. 

On  the  subject  of  religious  toleration  he  said,  that  the  article  of  our  Con- 
stitution (the  32d)  prohibiting  all  but  Protestants  from  serving  as  members 
of  the  Legislature,  was  a  singular  idea  in  any  government,  and  erroneous ; 
it  exceeded  the  province  of  the  law  maker;  his  province  was  only  to  re- 
gulate between  man  and  man,  and  not  between  man  and  his  Maker.  If 
this  be  not  correct,  in  course  of  time  spiritual  courts  will  be  necessary  to  sit 
in  judgment  to  rule  what  is  the  true  belief.  No  human  power  had  an}'^  right 
to  interpose,  or  prescribe  any  religious  opinions  as  a  test  of  office.  A  mix- 
ture of  politics  and  religion,  was  the  very  essence  of  hypocrisy.  Religion  is 
founded  on  "peace  on  earth  and  good  will  to  man."  Read  the  sermon  of 
the  Saviour  of  mankind  on  the  Mount.  There  is  no  persecution  there.  We 
had  as  well  try  to  bind  the  air  we  breathe,  as  men's  consciences.  All  religions 
united  in  the  establishment  of  our  free  Government.  Roger  Williams,  the 
first  man  to  establish  toleration  in  North  America,  was  a  Puritan;  Charles 
Carroll  was  a  Catholic ;  Mr.  Macon  said  that  he  inclined  to  the  Baptist  faith ; 
but  he  was  far  from  believing  all  their  doctrines.  He  did  not  believe  it  essen- 
tial, that  a  man  should  attach  himself  to  any  church.  He  who  feared  God, 
and  loved  his  brother  man,  and  faithfully  discharged  to  his  country  every 
duty,  and  obeyed  the  precepts  of  the  Gospel,  would  not  be  asked,  when  he 
reached  heaven,  to  what  church  he  belonged. 

The  odious  article  was  altered. 

On  Saturday,  the  11th  July,  Mr.  Easton  called  up  the  resolution,  which, 
on  the  day  previous,  he  had  laid  on  the  table.     It  read  thus : — 

"  Resolved  unanimously,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  are  due,  and 
hereby  respectfully  and  aJ)'eclionately  tendered  to  the  Honorable  Nathaniel  Macon, 
their  venerable  President,  for  the  distinguished  ability,  dignity,  and  impartiality, 
with  which  he  has  discharged  the  duties  of  his  station." 

This  was  passed  unanimously ;  the  members  all  rising  on  their  feet,  on 
motion  of  Hon.  Samuel  P.  Carson,  of  Burke.  The  venerable  Macon  was  deeply 
affected,  and  made  a  short  and  appropriate  valedictory,  and  they  separated 
forever. — Gaston' — Macon — Carson — all  gone  ! 

But  once  more  did  Mr.  Miicon  appear  in  public.  In  1836,  he  was  Elector 
on' the  Democratic  ticket,  which  succeeded  ;  and  he  presided  at  the  College  of 


436  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Electors  and  gave  the  vote  of  North  Carolina  to  the  Democratic  party.  This 
was  his  last  public  act.  He  had  commenced  life  fighting  in  actual  battle,  for 
the  true  principles  of  Government;  his  last  act  was  in  perfect  consistency 
•with  its  long,  eventful,  and  important  career.  He  never  appeared  again  in 
public,  and  went  rarely  from  home. 

Such  were  his  public  services,  and  such  was  the  system  of  policy  he  pur- 
sued. Let  us  now  go  into  the  retirement  of  home,  and  view  him  in  the  pri- 
vate relations  of  social  life,  as  a 'husband,  f\ither,  and  master  ;  neighbor  and 
friend. 

The  great  Roman  author,*  in  his  celebrated  work  on  the  "  Offices  of  Life," 
has  left  for  our  study  the  minutest  particulars  as  to  our  duty  and  conduct. 
He  has  even  described  the  kind  of  dwelling  a  man  of  a  magnanimous  mind 
should  occupy.  Neither  too  large,  yet  sufficient  for  the  accommodation  of 
his  family  and  friends,  and  adapted  to  his  means  and  their  wants. 

The  minute  detail  of  Mr.  Macon,  by  a  neighbor,  has  not  permitted  us  to  be 
at  a  loss  in  this  respect. 

"  He  occupied  a  neat  litllie  single  storied  frame  house  sixteen  feet  square, 
with  an  upstairs  and  a  cellat;  furnished  in  the  plainest  style  for  his  own  dwell- 
ing, with  a  sufficient  nuxffber  of  outhouses  to  accommodate  comfortably  his 
visitors.! 

"  The  dwellings  of  his  slaves,  instead  of  the  smoky  hovels  of  dirt,  and 
gloom,  and  discontent,  were  about  the  same  size  of  his  own  house,  furnished 
with  all  the  common  necessaries  of  convenient  living." 

He  had  not  the  felicity  of  enjoying  the  condition  of  married  life  but  for  a 
few  years,  but  his  union  with  Miss  Plummer  was  as 

"One  long  summer  day  of  innocence  and  joy." 

Educated  and  raised  in  the  same  sphere  of  life,  their  thoughts,  feelings,  asso- 
ciations, tastes,  and  hopes  were  the  same,  and  how  could  their  union  be  but 
happy  and  contented  ?  It  was  the  will  of  Heaven  to  take  early  from  him 
this  most  valued  of  all  earthly  blessings.  He  bore  this  severe  calamity  with 
that  calm  resignation  to  the  hand  of  Providence  that  "  does  not  willingly 
afflict  the  children  of  men,"  but  whose  reasons,  if  inscrutable  now,  will  all 
be  made  known  hereafter.  She  left  him  two  daughters  ;  in  these  pledges  of 
the  love  of  his  departed  wife  "  he  garnered  up  all  the  richest  afiections  of 
his  heart."  They  were  taught  both  by  the  precept  and  example  of  their 
father,  the  value  of  truth  and  the  importance  of  sincerity. 

"  Sincerity ! 
Thou  first  of  virtues  !     Let  no  mortal  leave 
Thy  onward  path !  although  the  earth  should  gape, 
And  from  the  gulf  of  hell,  destruction  cry, 
To  take  dissimulation's  winding  way." 

He  inculcated  upon  them  habits  of  industry  and  rigid  frugality.  No 
tawdry  ornament,  no  French  frippery  ever  was  seen  on  their  persons.  Like 
Portia  of  Rome,  they  were  fit  to  be  the  daughters  of  our  Cato.  On  the  mar- 
riage of  the  eldest  daughter,  Mr.  Macon  divided  his  estate  into  three  parts. 
One  to  each,  and  one  he  retained  to  do  with  as  he  pleased  hereafter.  His  con- 
duct here  deserves  the  imitation  of  all  parents.  The  rules  of  English  primo- 
geniture are  not  only  unjust,  but  often  renders  a  fool  of  the  one,  while  it 
makes  knaves  of  the  rest.  He  regarded  the  claims  of  his  children  as  alike 
and  equal.  The  affection  of  «,  parent  should  be  equal,  his  duty  equal,  and 
their  equal  wants  demanded  his  equal  care. 

As  a  neighbor,  master,  and  friend,  Mr.  Macon's  conduct  was  guided  by 
the  same  rules  of  philantliropy  and  justice.  He  was  ever  ready  to  oblige 
and  aid ;  he  was  exact  in  his  duty,  and  required  the  same  of  others.    One 

*  Cictero  de  OlTiciis. 

t  Lite  of  Nathaniel  Macon,  by  Edward  R.  Colton. 


WARREN  COUNTY.  437 

anecdote  left  of  him  exemplifies  this:  one  of  his  neighbors  borrowed  his 
cart  and  oxen;  and  promised,  of  his  own  accord,  to  return  them  by  a  certain 
specified  time.  The  time  came  and  passed,  but  they  were  not  returned. 
When  they  were  returned  (some  time  afterwards),  Macon  said  nothing  of 
the  blunder  in  the  neighbor's  calculation  of  time. 

The  same  neighbor  came  subsequently,  and  had  occasion  to  use  the  cart 
and  oxen  again,  which  he  requested  the  loan  of.  He  was  told  by  Mr.  Macon 
that  "  he  could  not  have  them  ;  that  he  could  have  his  wagon  and  horses, 
but  never  the  cart  and  oxen  again,  as  he  had  told  him  one  falsehood  about 
the  return  of  them,  and  he  did  not  wish  him  to  have  it  in  his  power  to  re- 
peat it." 

This  anecdote  is  obtained  from  the  person  who  is  the  subject  of  it,  and  he 
said  that  he  had  rather  borrow  of  Mr.  Macon  than  any  man  he  ever  saw,  for 
the  request  was  granted  or  refused  without  hesitation. 

While  he  treated  all  with  justice  and  kindness,  he  required  the  same  of 
them.  Ilis  invariable  rule  was  to  rise  early  when  at  home,  see  his  stock 
fed  himself,  and  his  people  at  their  work  before  he  ate  his  breakfast,  lie 
had  a  rule  for  everything,  and  had  that  rule  well  digested,  well  understood 
by  all,  and  faithfully  carried  out.  One  of  his  rules  was  that  nothing  about 
him  was  allowed  to  suffer  for  food.  His  negroes  were  well  fed.  His  horses, 
and  even  his  dogs  came  within  this  benevolent  plan.  He  was  inflexible  In 
the  enforcing  of  his  orders.  His  habit  was  to  attend  to  his  own  farm. 
When  in  Congress  he  had  to  employ  an  agent  or  overseer,  as  it  is  termed. 
His  practice  was  to  write  down  his  instructions,  which  were  not  to  be  de- 
viated from  under  any  circumstances.  An  anecdote  is  narrated  of  the  rigid 
fidelity  of  one  of  his  overseers. 

Mr.  Macon  had  left  the  order  in  writing  that  his  flock  of  sheep  should  be 
kept  in  a  certain  enclosure,  and  there  to  remain  until  his  return  from  Con- 
gress the  ensuing  spring.  Mr.  Eaton,  his  son-in-law,  happened  during  the 
winter  to  be  passing  by,  and  told  Mr.  Shearen,  the  overseer,  that  the  sheep 
were  dying  for  want  of  better  pasturage,  and  suggested  to  him  to  turn  them 
out  in  the  woods.  The  sturdy  old  man  said  "  No  !  Mr.  Macon  directed  the 
sheep  to  remain  in  that  place,  and  there  they  must  remain ;  he  had  i-ather 
lose  every  sheep  than  disobey  Mr.  Macon."     The  sheep  nearly  all  died. 

AVhen  Macon  returned  home  Mr.  Eaton  told  at  dinner-table  the  tale  to 
him,  and  he  seemed  pleased,  and  replied  that  "he  was  more  delighted  with  the 
fidelity  of  his  old  friend  Lewis  Shearen,  than  to  own  a  hundred  flocks  of 
sheep  ;  that  he  never  knew  him  to  disobey  him,  tell  him  a  lie,  or  guilty  of 
any  dishonesty.  If  he  had  disobeyed  and  saved  the  sheep  this  time,  he 
might  disobey  him  at  another  time,  and  lose  him  five  times  as  much  more." 

His  rule  was  to  understand  well  what  he  ordered,  and  see  that  order  faith- 
fully obeyed. 

The  same  principle  guided  an  equally  successful  man  in  his  line  of  life. 
It  is  recorded  of  Stephen  Girard,  that  he  ordered  the  captain  of  one  of  his 
ships  loaded  with  grain,  to  go  to  a  certain  island  of  the  West  Indies,  and 
dispose  of  the  cargo.  The  Captain,  when  he  arrived  at  this  island,  found 
the  market  glutted  with  grain  ;  and  sailed  to  another  island,  where  he  made 
a  most  advantageous  sale.  He  took  memorandums  of  the  price  at  the  island 
he  was  ordered  to,  and  an  account  of  the  prices  obtained,  which  he  faith- 
fully delivered  to  Mr.  Girard. 

Girard  looked  over  the  accounts,  and  drew  the  check  for  the  surplus,  which 
he  presented  to  his  captain,  and  told  him  tliathe  could  not  longer  serve  him  ; 
"  Obey  orders  if  you  break  owners,"  is  the  rule  of  sailors. 

Macon  was  passionately  fond  of  agriculture.  An  able  writer  has  said 
that  there  appears  to  be  a  congeniality  between  all  good  and  great  minds 
and  the  pursuits  of  agriculture.  We  do  not  pretend  to  divine  the  cause  or 
the  philosophy  of  it,  but  it  is  proved  in  the  history  of  our  AVashington,  Jef- 
ferson, Jackson,  Macon,  and  others.  We  do  not  know  why  it  is  that  patriot- 
ism exists  with  more  elevation  and  fervent  devotion  in  the  retirement  of  a 
farm,  than  in  the  busy  throng  of  crowded  cities.     Whether  the  fact  be  so  or 


438  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

not,  certain  it  is,  that  many  of  the  noblest  instances  of  sterling  patriotism 
that  have  ever  figured  on  the  drama  of  human  actions,  have  been  found 
among  those  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits.  Far  removed  from  the  vice 
of  towns  and  the  intrigue  of  courts ;  far  removed  from  the  dark  catalogue  of 
frailty  and  misdeeds  so  usual  in  crowded  communities,  the  good  and  great  of 
every  age  have  delighted  in  agriculture. 

"  God  made  the  country,  man  makes  the  town." 

This  Mr.  Macon  felt,  believed,  and  practiced.  Tovrns  he  thought  unfavor- 
able to  the  free  exercise  of  mind  or  body.  He  said  once  jocosely  to  a  city 
member  of  Congress  (C.  J.  Ingersoll,  of  Philadelphia),  "/  like  youv  views. 
What  a  pity  you  were  born  and  brought  tip  in  toivn.  But  for  that  you  tnight 
have  come  to  something."  Even  a  crowded  neighborhood  he  disliked.  lie 
often  has  been  heard  to  say  that  "no  man  ought  to  live  so  near  another  as 
to  hear  his  neighbor's  dog  bark." 

His  hospitality  was  most  open  and  unobtrusive.  His  manners  were  so 
frank  and  easy,  that  all  felt  at  home  under  his  roof.  The  taste,  talents  and 
pursuits  of  his  guests  seemed  to  be  intuitively  discovered  by  him,  and  to  this 
point  his  conversation  was  directed.  He  was  particularly  fond  of  the  society 
of  the  young,  and  they  were  equally  fond  of  him.  In  this  county  (Warren), 
the  young  persons  of  the  neighborhood  used  often  to  visit  him,  and  it  was 
really  a  spectacle  worth  a  day's  ride  to  see  the  kind  vrelcome  and  cordial 
reception  that  he  gave  them.  In  company  he  was  not  remarkable  for  loqua- 
city, seldom,  if  ever,  considered  himself  the  orator  of  the  company  he  was 
in.  lie  seemed  to  think  that  he  vras  only  entitled  to  a  common  share  of  the 
conversation,  and  preferred  to  be  entertained  by  others  than  talking  himself. 
The  writer  of  this  sketch  was  for  five  years  at  school  within  a  mile  of  Mr. 
Macon  ;  and  he  took  peculiar  pleasure  in  listening,  and  carefully  treasured  up 
his  lessons  of  practical  wisdom,  and  the  remarks  on  the  principles  of  govern- 
ment that  fell  from  his  honored  lips. 

Mr.  Macon  rarely  indulged  in  wit ;  but  when  he  did,  it  was  of  that 
shrewd,  dry  kind,  that  gave  no  offence  to  any,  and  always  produced  mirth. 

I  well  recollect  the  last  time  that  I  ever  saw  him.  It  was  in  November, 
1836,  The  electoral  college  had  adjourned,  and  met  in  Governor  Spaight's 
office,  who  had  asked  me  to  aid  in  casting  up  the  scrolls  of  each  county. 
Hon.  Abraham  \V.  Venable  was  there.  All  who  enjoy  the  honor  of  this 
gentleman's  acquaintance  know  that  where  he  is  there  is  some  talking. 

The  topic  was  the  cause  of  the  success  of  the  democratic  ticket,  which  was 
rather  unexpected  ;  since  Governor  Dudley  had  been  elected  only  the  August 
before,  by  a  handsome  majority.  Some  gave  one  reason,  and  some  gave 
others.  The  venerable  Macon  listened  for  awhile,  as  well  as  his  years  and 
deafness  would  allow  ;  at  length  he  said,  with  a  smile  playing  on  his  venera- 
ble, round,  and  amiable  face,  "  Gentlemen,  I  Avill  tell  you  the  real  reason 
why  the  Whig  ticket  did  not  carry  in  the  State,"  and  then  he  paused: 
every  one  listened  for  something  worthy  of  remembrance.  "  The  real  reason 
why  the  Whig  ticket  was  not  elected,  it  did  not  get  votes  enough."  This  was 
the  truth,  as  for  the  causes  they  w^ere  not  easily  analyzed. 

He  was  as  free  from  the  sordid  love  of  wealth  as  he  was  deaf  to  the  allure- 
ments of  unhallowed  ambition. 

In  contemplating  his  character  either  as  a  soldier  or  as  a  statesman,  as  a 
husband,  father,  or  neighbor,  it  is  worthy  of  our  highest  admiration,  con- 
stant study,  and  imitation.  In  the  purity  of  his  morals,  scandal  was  deprived 
of  its  venom  ;  and  by  the  sincerity  of  his  patriotism,  party  spirit  was  awed 
into  respect  and  veneration. 

His  course  was  run.  The  "silver  cord  was  now  loosened,  and  the  golden 
bowl  was  broken."  Full  of  years  and  full  of  honors,  our  aged  statesman 
sinks  to  the  tomb.  He  had  been  subject  to  spasms  in  the  stomach  and  chest. 
On  the  morning  of  29th  Juno,  1837,  he  rose  at  theusual  early  hour,  dressed, 
shaved,  and  changed  his  clothes  ;  was  cheerful  as  usual,  when,  about  ten 
o'clock,  he  was  seized  with  a  spasm,  and  carried  to  his  bed,  where  in  a  short 
time  he  expired  without  a  struggle  or  groan.     He  exchanged  "  a  world  of 


WARREN  COUNTY.  439 

gloom  for  an  eternity  of  glory."  His  fame  belongs  to  North  Carolina.  She 
is  proud  of  his  reputation,  and  has  inscribed  his  name  on  the  mountain  topa 
of  one  of  her  beautiful  counties.  Long  may  his  character  and  name  be 
cherished  as  a  source  of  pride  and  emulation. 

His  daughters,  whom  he  survived,  one  had  married  William  Martin,  Esq., 
of  Granville;  the  other,  William  Eaton,  Esq.,  of  Warren,  a  son  of  whom  was 
a  member  of  the  House  in  1838,  '40,  and  '50,  and  is  now  the  Attorney-General 
of  the  State, 

He  appointed  as  his  Executor  Hon.  Weldon  N.  Edwards,  and  to  leave  him 
as  little  trouble  as  possible,  Avhen  satisiied  that  his  disease  was  beyond  ajl 
medical  skill,  and  was  so  informed  by  his  physicians,  he  inquired  for  their 
bills,  and  ascertained  their  amounts,  and  paid  them. 

He  selected  his  burial  place,  on  the  way  side,  many  years  before  his  death  : 
a  spot  of  land,  from  its  poverty,  least  likely  to  be  cultivated,  and  employed  two 
of  his  neighbors  to  make  his  coffin,  of  the  plainest  material,  and  directed  that 
they  should  be  paid  for  it  before  it  was  used.  He  ordered  that  a  parcel  of  rock 
should  be  brought  from  a  certain  field,  and  piled  upon  his  grave,  so  as  to  keep 
the  cattle  from  molesting  it.  And  there  he  sleeps  'till  the  resurrection  of  the 
just! 

"  They  caTVcd  not  a  line,  the}'  raised  not  a  stone, 
But  left  him  alone  in  his  glorv." 


James  Turner  was  a  resident  and  representative  of  this  county. 

He  was  born  in  Southampton  County,  Virginia,  in  the  year  17G6.  His 
father,  Thomas  Turner,  removed  with  his  family  to  Bute  County  (since  di- 
vided into  Franklin  and  Warren),  when  this  son  was  quite  a  youth. 

His  early  education  was  as  good  as  the  state  of  the  county  afforded.  The 
elevated  positions  he  was  called  upon  in  subsequent  life  to  fill,  and  the  ability 
with  which  he  discharged  his  duty,  is  more  to  be  attributed  to  his  native 
strength  of  mind,  than  to  the  advantages  of  education. 

Young  as  he  was,  he  was  not  an  idle  or  indifferent  spectator  to  the  trials 
of  his  country  in  her  Revolutionary  struggles.  He  joined,  as  a  private,  the 
army,  and  served  in  that  humble  capacity.  In  the  same  company,  and  in 
the  same  capacity,  was  Nathaniel  Macon. 

He  entered  public  life  in  1800  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and 
in  1801  and  1802  as  Senator,  at  which  session  he  was  elected  Governor  of  the 

State. 

In  1805,  he  was  elected  Senator  in  Congress,  and  served  until  1816. 

He  was  in  Congress  during  a  troubled  and  excited  period,  and  gave  the 
war  of  1812  a  firm  and  vigorous  support,  while  his  colleague,  Gov.  Stone 
(see  Bertie),  differed  from  him,  which  conduct  of  Stone  received  the  disappro- 
bation of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State.  He  was  a  man  of  great  personal 
worth,  a  faithful  representative,  and  a  sincere  friend. 

He  died  on  the  15th  of  January,  1824,  at  Bloomsbury,  his  residence  in  this 
county,  in  the  58th  year  of  his  age. 

Governor  Turner  was  thrice  married;  first,  to  Mary  Anderson,  of  Warrenton, 
in  1793,  who  died  in  1802,  leaving  him  four  children,  Thomas,  Daniel,  Re))ecca, 
(who  married  George  E.  Badger),  and  Mary.  Second,  to  Mrs.  Ann  Cochran, 
who  died  in  1806,  leaving  no  issue;  and  thirdly,  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Johnson, 
who  survived  him,  and  who  bore  him  two  daughters,  Sally  P.  (wife  of  Hon. 
Mark  Alexander,  of  Virginia),  and  Ann  (wife  of  Henry  Coleman,  Esq.,  of 
Virginia). 

His  son,  lion.  Daniel  Turner,  was  born  in  Warren  County,  2Gth  Septem- 
ber, 1796.  His  early  education  was  conducted  at  the  Warrenton  Academy, 
which  he  left  in  1813  to  join  the  Military  Academy  at  West  Point,  New  York. 
In  1814  he  was  promoted  to  a  Lieutenancy  of  Artillery.  He  was  stationed 
on  Long  Island,  under  General  Swift,  who  was  superintending  the  lines  on 
Brooklyn  Heights  for  defence  of  New  York  City.  He  Avas  then  ordered  to 
Plattsburg,  un'der  General  McComb.  The  war  being  over,  he  Avas  retained  on 
the  peace  establishment,  but  he  resigned,  in  September,  1815,  his  commission. 

37 


440  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

After  leaving  the  army,  he  spent  two  years  at  William  and  Mary  College, 
in  Virginia. 

From  1819  to  1823,  he  -was  in  the  House  of  Commons,  and  was  elected, 
from  this  district,  as  a  member  of  Congress,  from  1827  to  1829.     He  married 
in  1829,  Anna  Arnold,  daughter  of  Hon.  Francis  S.  Key,  of  Washington 
Citv,  an  able  lawyer,  of  distinguished  literary  attainments,  and  the  author  of 
the"'''  Star  Spangled  Banner,"  written  during  the  war  of  1812  with  England. 

Mr.  Turner  has  now  charge  of  the  Warreuton  Female  Seminary. 

Governor  William  Hawkins  was  a  son  of  Philemon  Hawkins,  who  was  the 
brother  of  Colonel  Benjamin  Hawkins,  whose  biography  we  have  already  re- 
corded. He  was  elected  member  of  the  Assembly  in  18U5,  and  Speaker  of  the 
House  of  Commons.  In  1811,  he  was  elected  Governor  of  the  State,  and  took 
an  active  and  prominent  part  for  the  war.  He  died  in  1812,  leaving  several 
children,  one  of  whom  married,  the  second  time,  Hon.  Henry  W.  Conner,  of 
Catawba  County. 

General  Micajah  Thomas  Hawkins,  who  has  also  been  already  referred  to 
in  the  sketch  of  Colonel  Benjamin  Hawkins,  son  of  Jolm  Hawkins,  entered 
public  life  in  1819,  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  from  1823  to 
1827,  as  member  of  the  Senate.  From  1831  to  1841,  he  was  a  member  of 
Congress. 

In  1846,  he  was  again  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  Legislature. 

Kemp  Plummer,  Esq.  was  born  in  Gloucester  County,  Yirginia,  in  1709  ; 
educated  at  William  and  ^lary  College,  and  read  law  with  Chancellor  AVythe. 
He  entered  the  Legislature  in  1794,  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons, 
and  in  1815  and  1816,  was  a  member  of  the  Senate. 

He  married  Susan  Martin,  by  whom  he  has  had  a  large  family,  one  of  whom 
is  wife  of  Hon,  William  H.  Ba'ttle,  of  Chapel  Hill. 

Hon.  John  Hall,  late  of  Warren  County,  was  a  native  of  Virginia.  He 
removed  early  to  North  Carolina,  and  was  appointe'd  a  Judge  of  the  Superior 
Courts  of  Law  in  1809,  and  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  1818,  which  he 
resigned  in  1832,  and  died  soon  after.  He  was  distinguished  for  his  patience, 
learning,  and  purity  of  character.     He  left  a  large  family,  among  whom  is 

Hon.  Edward  Hall,  now  a  resident  of  Warren.  He  was  educated  at  the 
University,  and  graduated  in  1815,  in  the  same  class  with  Judge  Mangum 
and  Gov.  s'paight.  He  studied  law,  and  was  appointed  Judge  in  1840.  His 
commission  expired  in  1841. 

Hon.  Blake  Baker  represented  Warren  County  in  the  House  of  Commons 

in  1807.     He  was  the  Attorney-General  of  the  S'tate  from  1794  to  1803.     In 

1808,  he  was  appointed  a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  and  his  commission 

expired  in  the  same  year.     He  was  again  appointed  in  1818,  and  died  that 

.  year. 

Hon.  William  Miller,  late  of  this  county,  represented  it  in  1810,  in  the 
House  of  Commons,  and  in  1811  to  1814,  at  which  session  he  was  elected 
Governor  of  the  State.  He  served  until  1817.  He  was  appointed  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States  Charge  d' Affaires  to  Guatemala  (Central  Ame- 
rica), in  March,  1825,  and  died  while  on  this  mission. 

Hon.  Weldon  Nathaniel  Edwards  was  born  in  1788,  and  was  educated 
at  the  Warrenton  Academy.  He  read  law  with  Judge  Hall  and  canie  to  the 
bar  in  1810  ;  succeeded  Governor  Miller  in  the  House  of  Commons  in  1814; 
re-elected  to  the  House  of  Commons  in  1815. 

In  1816  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  served  until  1827,  when  he  retired 

from  Congress.  .      .     ^      .  ,  .        ,  •  ,   i  , 

In  1833  he  was  elected  Senator  in  the  Legislature,  in  which  he  served  con- 
tinuously until  1844. 


WARREN  COUNTY. 


441 


In  1835,  -with  the  venerable  and  distinguished  Nathaniel  Macon,  he  was  a 
delegate  from  Warren,  to  amend  the  Constitution  of  the  State. 

In  1850  he  was  again  elected  to  the  Senate,  and  was  chosen  to  preside  over 
its  deliberations  ;  a  compliment  well  deserved,  for  his  long  and  faithful  ser- 
vices in  the  councils  of  the  State. 

Hon.  John  Bragg,  now  of  Mobile,  Alabama,  is  a  native  of  Warren.  He 
was  educated  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina,  and  graduated  in  1824,  in 
a  distinguished  class,  of  which  James  W.  Bryan,  Thomas  Dews,  William  A. 
Graham,  Matthias  E.  Manly,  David  Outlaw,  and  others,  were  members.  He 
read  law  with  Judge  Hall,  and  entered  the  Legislature  in  1830  and  served 
continuously  to  1834. 

He  removed  to  Mobile,  Alabama,  and  has  been  Judge  of  the  Superior  Courts 
there  for  many  years  ;  presiding  with  great  credit  to  himself  and  satisfaction 
to  the  citizens  of  his  adopted  State.  He  is  now  a  member  of  Congress  from 
the  Mobile  District. 

He  is  brother  of  Colonel  Braxton  Bragg,  who  with  his  Artillery  saved  the 
battle  of  Buena  Yista,  and  distinguished  himself  in  the  Mexican  war ;  and 
also  brother  of  Thomss  Bragg,  Esq.,  of  Jackson,  Northampton  County,  mem- 
ber of  the  House  of  Commons  in  1842 ;  and  now  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Internal  Improvements  of  this  State. 

North  Carolina  may  hragg  of  these  sons. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Warren  County. 


Years.  Senate. 

1780.  Nathaniel  Macon, 

1781.  Nathaniel  Macon, 

1782.  Nathaniel  Macon, 

1783.  Herbert  Haynes, 

1784.  Nathaniel  Macon, 

1785.  Nathaniel  Macon, 

1786.  John  Macon, 

1787.  John  Macon, 

1788.  John  Macon, 

1789.  John  Macon, 

1790.  John  Macon, 

1791.  John  Macon, 

1792.  John  Macon, 

1793.  John  Macon, 

1794.  John  Macon, 

1795.  John  Macon, 

1796.  James  Payne, 

1797.  Solomon  Green, 

1798.  James  Collier, 

1799.  James  Collier, 

1800.  Jamer  Collier, 

1801.  James  Turner, 

1802.  James  Turner, 

1803.  Solomon  Green, 

1804.  William  P.  Little, 

1805.  Wm.  P.  Little, 

1806.  Wm.  P.  Little, 

1807.  Philemon  Hawkins, 

1808.  Philemon  Hawkins, 

1809.  Henry  Fitts, 

1810.  Philemon  Hawkins, 

1811.  Philemon  Hawkins, 

1812.  Joseph  Hawkins, 

1813.  Joseph  Hawkins, 

1814.  Wm.  Williams, 

1815.  Kemp  Plummer, 


House  of  Commons. 

John  Macon,  Jason  Hawkins. 
Jason  Hawkins,  .John  Macon. 
Joseph  Hawkins,  John  Macon. 
Joseph  Hawkins,  John  Macon. 
James  Paine,  John  Macon. 
Henry  Montfort,  AVyatt  Hawkins. 
Wyatt  Hawkins,  Sol.  Green. 
Philemon  Hawkins. 
Wyatt  Hawkins,  Henry  Montfort. 
Phitemon  Hawkins,  Wyatt  Hawkins. 
Ransome  Southerland,  Brittain  Sanders. 
Wyatt  Hawkins,  Sol.  Green. 
Wyatt  Hawkins,  Henry  Montfort. 
Wyatt  Hawkins,  William  Person. 
William  Person,  Kemp  Plummer. 
AVilliam  Person,  Wyatt  Hawkins. 
James  Collier,  William  Person. 
James  Collier,  William  Person. 
.James  Turner,  Oliver  Fitts. 
James  Turner,  Oliver  Fitts. 
James  Turner,  Thos.  E.  Sumner. 
Thos.  E,  Sumner,  Robert  Parke. 
•John  Maclin,  Robert  Parke. 
Philemon  Hawkins,  John    Harwell. 
William  Hawkins,  John  Harwell. 
William  Hawkins,  Philemon  Hawkins. 
Philemon  Hawkins.  John  Harwell. 
Blake  Baker,  Wm.  R.  Johnson. 
Wm.  R.  -Johnson,  John  Harwell. 
-John  H.  Hawkins,  Wm.  Miller. 
William  Miller,  Wm.  R.  Johnson. 
William  Miller,  Wm.  R.  -Johnson. 
Wm.  R.  Johnson,  William  Miller. 
Wm.  jMiller,  Wm.  R.  Johnson. 
Wm.  Miller,  Wm.  R.  Johnson. 
Weldon  N.  Edwards,  John  II.  Walker. 


442 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

1816.  Kemp  Plummer, 

1817.  Robert  R.  Johnson, 

1818.  Robert  R.  Johnson, 

1819.  Robert  R.  Johnson, 

1820.  Robert  R.  Johnson, 

1821.  William  Miller, 

1822.  William  Miller, 

1823.  M.  T.  Hawkins, 

1824.  M,  T.  Hawkins, 

1825.  M.  T.  Hawkins, 

1826.  M.  T.  Hawkins, 

1827.  M.  T.  Hawkins, 

1828.  Richard  Davis, 

1829.  Richard  Davis, 

1830.  John  II.  Hawkins, 

1831.  John  H.  Hawkins, 

1832.  John  H.  Hawkins, 

1833.  Weld.  N.  Edwards, 

1834.  W.  N.  Edwards, 

1835.  W.  N.  Edwards, 

1836.  W.  N.  Edwards, 
1838.  W.  N.  Edwards, 
1840.  W.  N.  Edwards, 
1842.  W.  N.  Edwards, 
1844.  W.  N.  Edwards, 
1846.  M.  T.  Hawkins, 
1848.  A.  B.  Hawkins, 
1850.  W.  N.  Edwards, 


House  of  Commons. 
Robt.  H.  Jones,  John  H.  Walker. 
Robt.  H.  Jones,  Pliilemon  Hawkins. 
Robt.  H.  Jones,  Philemon  Hawkins. 
Daniel  Turner,  M.  T.  Hawkins. 
Micajah  T.  Hawkins,  Daniel  Turner. 
Francis  A.  Thornton,  Daniel  Turner. 
Daniel  Turner,  F.  A.  Thornton. 
Daniel  Turner,  Robt.  H.  Jones. 
Gideon  Alston,  R.  H.  Jones. 
Gideon  Alston,  Ransom  Walker. 
Robt.  H.  Jones  Thomas  J.  Green. 
Robt.  H.  Jones,  Ransom  Walker, 
Wm.  G.  Jones,  Ransom  Walker. 
AVm.  G.  Jones,  John  H.  Green. 
John  Bragg,  Ransom  Walker. 
John  Bragg,  Thomas  J.  Judkins. 
John  Bragg,  Thos.  J.  Judkins. 
John  Bragg,  Thos.  J.  Judkins. 
John  Bragg,  Thos.  J.  Judkins. 
John  H.  Hawkins,  Thos.  J.  Judkins. 
John  H.  Hawkins,  Thos.  J.  Judkins. 
Wm.  Eaton,  jr.,  Samuel  A.  Williams. 
AYm.  Eaton,  jr.,  John  II.  Hawkins. 
John  H.  Hawkins,  Oliver  D.  Fitts. 
John  H.  Hawkins,  A.  C.  Brame. 
A.  A.  Austin,  John  H.  Hawkins. 
J.  L.  Mosely,  F.  A.  Thornton. 
F.  A.  Thornton,  Wm.  Eaton,  jr. 


CHAPTER   LXXVII. 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 


Washington  County  was  formed  in  1799,  from  Tyrrell  County, 
and  called  in  honor  of  the  Father  of  his  Country,  General  George 
Washington,  who  was  born  on  the  22d  of  February,  1732,  and  who 
died  on  "the  13th  December,  1799. 

It  is  located  in  the  north-eastern  part  of  the  State,  on  the  south 
side  of  the  Albemarle  Sound  ;  and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  the 
/Sound ;  east,  by  Tyrrell  County ;  south,  by  Hyde  and  Beaufort ; 
and  Avest,  by  Martin  and  Bertie  counties. 

Its  capital  is  Plymouth,  and  is  distant  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
two  miles  from  Raleigh. 

Its  population  in  1850  was  3,216  whites,  235  free  negroes,  and  2,215  slaves ; 
representative  population,  4780. 

its  products  in  1840  were  155,023  bushels  of  corn  ;  79,925  pounds  of  cot- 
ton;  3,425  pounds  of  wool ;  4,760  barrelsof  fish  ;  2,257  barrels  of  turpentine; 
25,328  dollars' worth  of  lumber. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Washington  County, 
from  the  formation  of  the  County  to  1851. 


WASHINGTON  COUNTY. 


443 


Years.  Senate. 

1800.  Benj.  Davenport, 

li^Ol.  Samuel  Cliesson, 

1802.  Samuel  Chesson, 

1803.  Daniel  Davenport, 

1804.  Daniel  Davenport, 

1805.  Daniel  Davenport, 

1806.  Daniel  Davenport, 

1807.  Daniel  Davenport, 

1808.  Miles  Hardy, 

1809.  Ebenezer  Pettigrew, 

1810.  Ebenezer  Pettigrew, 

1811.  Levin  Boyman, 

1812.  Thomas  Johnson, 

1813.  William  Garrett, 

1814.  Thomas  Johnson, 

1815.  Thomas  Norman, 
18 IG.  Thomas  Norman, 

1817.  Downing  Leary, 

1818.  Downing  Leary, 

1819.  Charles  Phelps, 

1820.  Charles  Phelps, 

1821.  Thomas  Walker, 

1822.  Beniamin  Phelps, 

1823.  Thomas  Cox, 

1824.  Thomas  Johnson, 

1825.  Samuel  Davenport, 

1826.  Samuel  Davenport, 

1827.  Samuel  Davenport, 

1828.  Samuel  Davenport, 

1829.  Samuel  Davenport, 

1830.  Samuel  Davenport, 

1831.  Samuel  Davenport, 

1832.  Josiah  Collins, 

1833.  Josiah  Collins, 

1834.  Charles  Phelps, 

1835.  John  B.  Beasley, 

1836.  Hezekiah  G.  Spruill, 
1838.  Hezekiah  G.  Spruill, 
1840.  Hezekiah  G.  Spruill, 
1842.  Hezekiah  G.  Spruill, 
1844.  Joseph  Ilalsy, 
1846.  Joseph  Halsy, 
1848.  Joseph  Halsy, 
1850.  Thomas  E.  Pender, 


House  of  Commons. 
Miles  Hardy,  Isaac  Long. 
John  Guyther,  Miles  Hardy. 
IMiles  Hardy,  John  Guyther. 
Edmund  Blount,  Miles  Hardy. 
Levin  Bozman,  Joseph  Christopher. 
Levin  Bozman,  Joseph  Christopher. 
Levin  Bozman,  Joseph  Christopher. 
Levin  Bozman,  John  Frazer. 
Joseph  Christopher,  Edmund  Blount. 
James  Freeman,  Josiah  Flowers. 
Josiah  Flowers,  Samuel  Blount. 
Samuel  Blount,  William  Garrett. 
James  Freeman,  Daniel  Bateman.     • 
Ezekiel  Ilardison,  Daniel  Bateman. 
Miles  Hardy,  Daniel  Bateman. 
James  Freeman,  Daniel  Bateman. 
Daniel  Bateman,  Taylor  H.  Walker. 
Daniel  Bateman,  Thos.  B.  Ilaughton. 
Daniel  Bateman,  Thos.  B.  Haughton. 
B.  Tarkinton,  Thos.  B.  Haughton. 
Benj.  Tarkinton,  Aaron  Harrison. 
AVm.  A.  Bozman,  Abner  N.  Vail. 
T.  H.  Walker,  S.  Davenport. 
T.  H.  Walker,  S.  Davenport. 
A.  N.  Vail,  P.  0.  Picott. 
Peter  0.  Picott,  AVm.  A.  Bozman. 
Wm.  A.  Bozman,  Wm.  J.  Armistead. 
Wm.  A.  Bozman,  Abner  N.  Vail. 
Abner  N.  Vail,  Thos.  Sanderson. 
James  A.  Chesson,  Uriah  W.  Swanner. 
James  A.  Chesson,  U.  W.  Swanner. 
Watrus  Beckwith,  U.  AV.  Swanner. 
Samuel  Ilardison,  Jos.  A.  Norman. 
Samuel  Ilardison,  Charles  Phelps. 
U.  W.  Swanner,  A.  Davenport. 
U.  W.  Swanner,  A.  Davenport. 
Joshua  T.  Swift. 
David  C.  Guyther. 
David  C.  Guyther. 
Joseph  C.  Norcum. 
David  C.  Guyther. 
Thomas  B.  Nichols. 
Thomas  B.  Nichols. 
Uriah  AV.  Swanner. 


444:  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CHAPTER    LXXVIII. 


WATAUGA  COUNTY. 


Watauga  County  was  formed,  in  1849,  from  Aslie,  Caldwell, 
Wilkes,  and  Yancej,  and  derives  its  name  from  the  river  that  runs 
through  it,  Avhich  is  an  Indian  name,  and  signifies  '■Hlte  River  of 
Islands.''* 

It  is  situated  in  the  extreme  north-western  part  of  the  State, 

and  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Ashe  County,  east  by  Wilkes,  south 

by  Yancey  and  McDowell,  and  west  by  the  Yellow  Mountain,  which 

separates  it  from  the  State  of  Tennessee. 

Its  population  in  1850,  was  3,242  whites ;  29  free  negroes ;  129  slaves ; 
3,348  representative  23opulation. 

Riddle  Knob,  in  this  county,  derives  its  name  from  a  circumstance  of  the 
capture  of  Colonel  Benjamin  Cleaveland,  during  the  Revolution,  by  a  party 
of  Tories  headed  by  men  of  this  name,  and  adds  the  charm  of  heroic  associa- 
tion to  the  loveliness  of  its  unrivaled  scenery.  Cleaveland  had  been  a  terror 
to  the  Tories.  Two  notorious  of  their  band  (Jones  and  Coil)  had  been  ap- 
prehended by  him,  and  hung.  Cleaveland  had  gone  alone,  on  some  private 
business,  to  New  River,  and  was  taken  prisoner  by  the  Tories  at  the  old  Fields, 
on  New  River.  They  demanded  that  he  should  furnish  passes  for  them. 
Being  but  an  indifferent  penman  he  was  some  time  preparing  these  papers, 
and  he  was  in  no  hurry,  as  he  believed  that  they  would  kill  him  when  they 
had  obtained  them.  AVhile  thus  engaged.  Captain  Robert  Cleaveland,  his 
brother,  with  a  party,  followed  him,  knowing  the  dangerous  proximity  of 
the  Tories.  They  came  up  with  the  Tories  and  fired  on  them.  Colonel 
Cleaveland  slid  off  the  log  to  prevent  being  shot,  while  the  Tories  fled,  and  he 
thus  escaped  certain  destruction. 

Some  time  after  this,  this  same  Riddle  and  his  son,  and  another  was  taken, 
and  brought  before  Cleaveland,  and  he  hung  all  three  of  them  near  the  Mul- 
berry Meeting-house,  now  Wilkesboro'. 

The  depredations  of  the  Tories  wereso  frequent,  and  their  conduct  so  savage, 
that  summary  punishment  was  demanded  by  the  exigencies  of  the  times.  This 
Cleaveland  inflicted  without  ceremony.  General  Lenoir  relates  a  circumstance 
that  occurred  at  Mulberry  Meeting-house.  While  there,  on  some  public  occa- 
sion, the  rumor  was  that  mischief  was  going  on  by  the  Tories,  Lenoir  went 
to  his  horse,  tied  at  some  distance  from  the  house,  and  as  he  approached,  a 
man  ran  off  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  horse.  Lenoir  hailed  him,  but  he 
did  not  stop  ;  he  pursued  him  ijnd  found  that  he  had  stolen  one  of  the  stirrups 
of  his  saddle.  He  carried  the  pilferer  to  Colonel  Cleaveland,  who  ordered 
him  to  place  his  two  thumbs  in  a  notch  for  that  purpose  in  an  arbor  fork,  and 
hold  them  there  while  he  ordered  him  to  receive  fifteen  lashes.  This  was  his 
peculiar  manner  of  inflicting  the  law,  and  gave  origin  to  the  phrase,  "  To 
thumb  the  notch."     The  punishment  on  the  offender  above  was  well  inflicted 

*  Haywood's  Tennessee  (p.  29). 


WATAUGA  COUNTY.  445 

by  Captain  John  Beverly,  whose  ardor  did  not  stop  at  the  ordered  number. 
After  the  fifteen  had  been  given,  Colonel  Herndon  ordered  him  to  stop,  but 
Beverly  continued  to  whip  the  wincing  culprit.  Colonel  Herndon  drew  his 
sword  and  struck  Beverly.  Captain  Beverly  drew  also,  and  they  had  a  tilt 
which,  but  for  friends,  would  have  terminated  fatally. 

There  is  a  tree  on  the  public  road  in  Wilkes,  which  to  this  day  bears  the 
name  of  "Shad  Laws'  Oak,"  on  which  the  notches,  thumbed  by  said  Laws 
under  the  sentence  of  Cleaveland,  are  distinctly  visible.f 

Its  capital  is  Boone,  and  is  called  in  remembrance  of  the  celebrated 
Daniel  Boone,  who  once  lived  near  Holeman's  Ford,  on  the  Yadkin 
Biver,  about  eight  miles  from  Wilkesboro'. 

Daniel  Boone  was  born,  in  1746,  in  Bucks  County,  Pennsylvania,  near 
Bristol,  about  twenty  miles  from  Philadelphia.  When  he  was  but  a  child,  his 
father  emigrated  to  North  Carolina,  and  settled  in  one  of  the  valleys  of  the 
South  Yadkin.     Here  Boone  was  reared,  and  here  he  married  Miss  Bryan. 

In  May,  1769,  Boone  informs  us  himself,  "  accompanied  by  John  Findley, 
John  Stuart,  Joseph  Holden,  James  Monay,  and  William  Cool,"  left  his  home 
and  quiet  joys  for  "  the  dark  and  bloody  ground"  of  Kentucky,  then  inhabited 
only  by  wild  animals  and  savages.  But  in  the  boundless  forests  he  seemed 
to  be  in  his  appropriate  sphere.  Here  he  pursued  the  deer,  buifalo,  and  wild 
beasts.  After  a  hard  days'  hunt,  as  Boone  and  Stuart  were  returning  to  their 
camp,  they  were  seized  Ijy  a  horde  of  savages,  who  made  them  prisoners:  that 
night  they  escaped,  but  what  was  their  surprise  when  they  came  to  their 
camp,  they  found  that  their  comrades  were  gone,  either  prisoners  or  murdered ; 
for  the  camp  was  deserted.  But  the  spirit  of  Boone  knew  no  despair.  He 
called  all  his  resources  into  action,  husbanded  his  game  and  ammunition,  and 
prepared  to  return  to  North  Carolina.  At  this  time  Boone's  brother,  fired  by 
the  same  ardor  for  wild  excitement,  came  out  to  their  camp  with  one  com- 
panion. This  infused  fresh  joy  and  new  hopes.  But  soon  after  Stuart  fell 
in  a  foray  with  the  Indians,  no  persuasions  could  induce  their  companion  to 
remain,  and  he  left  Boone  and  his  brother  alone  in  the  vast  wilderness.  They 
erected  a  house  to  protect  them,  and  supplied  plentifully  with  game,  they 
passed  the  winter  in  comfort.  But  their  ammunition  and  salt  becoming  scant, 
the  brother  of  Boone  returned  for  a  supply,  and  Daniel  Boone  was  left  alone 
in  the  wild  forests  of  Kentucky.  This  voluntary  exile  was  not  unpleasant 
to  his  temper.  In  his  Journal  he  assures  us,  that  his  mind  was.  filled  with 
admiration  of  the  boundless  beauties  of  nature.  The  magnificent  forest 
was  clothing  itself  in  the  rich  attire  of  spring,  the  gorgeous  flowers  were  un- 
folding their  glories  to  his  eye  alone,  the  wild  deer  and  buifalo  were  not  fear- 
ful of  his  presence. 

He  continued  in  these  solitary  quarters  until  the  27th  of  July,  when  his 
brother  returned  loaded  with  ammunition  and  salt,  to  them  more  precious 
than  the  mines, of  California.  They  made  an  expedition  to  the  Cumberland 
lliveV,  naming  the  rivers  they  passed,  and  making  such  observations  as  might 
be  of  future  use. 

In  IMai'ch,  1771,  they  returned  to  North  Carolina.  lie  was  so  charmed  with 
the  rich  soil,  the  bountiful  productions  of  nature,  and  the  abundant  game, 
that  he  sold  his  farm  on  the  Yadkin,  and  by  his  representations,  five  families 
and  his  own,  set  out  for  their  return  to  Kentucky  on  the  25th  of  September, 
1773 ;  as  they  passed  Powell's  valley,  then  one  hundred  and  forty  miles  from 
the  settled  parts  of  Virginia,  forty  hardy  sons  of  the  forest  joined  him.  They 
pursued  their  journey  until  the  lUth  of  October,  when  they  were  furiously 
attacked  by  a  large  body  of  Indians.  By  their  skill,  unflinching  courage, 
and  resolution,  the  superior  force  of  the  savages  was  beaten  ofl',  but  Boone's 
party  lost  six  men  killed  and  one  wounded.  Among  the  killed  was  Boone's 
eldest  son,  a  youth  of  much  promise  and  daring. 

t  MSS.  of  General  Wm  Lenoir. 


446  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

This  repulse  forced  them  to  retreat  to  the  settlement  on  Clinch  River. 

Here  he  remained  with  his  family  until  the  6th  of  June,  1774,  when  the 
Governor  of  Virginia  (Dunmore)  engaged  him  and  an  adventurer  by  the 
name  of  Storer,  to  conduct  a  party  of  surveyors  to  the  falls  of  the  Ohio,  near 
eight  hundred  miles ;  this  he  performed  on  foot  in  sisty-two  days.  On  his 
return,  Dunmore  gave  him  the  command  of  the  garrisons  on  the  frontier, 
which  he  maintained  during  the  war  at  this  period  against  the  Shawnee 
Indians. 

In  March,  1775,  he  attended,  at  request  of  Judge  Richard  Henderson  and 
others,  a  council  of  the  Cherokees,  by  which  they  ceded  their  lands  south  of 
Kentucky  River. 

In  April,  he  erected  a  fort  at  the  spot  where  the  town  of  Boonesboro'  now 
stands ;  the  Indians  were  very  much  dissatisfied  at  the  erection  of  this  fort. 
After  it  was  finished,  he  returned  in  June  for  his  family  on  Clinch  Riyer. 
Mrs.  Boone  and  her  daughter  were  the  first  white  women  that  ever  stood  on 
the  banks  of  the  Kentucky  River. 

In  December,  the  Indians  made  a  furious  assault  upon  this  fort,  by  which 
Boone  lost  one  man  killed  and  another  wounded ;  but  the  Indians  were  re- 
pulsed with  great  slaughter.  This  defeat  was  so  severe  that  the  Indians 
treacherously  appeared  reconciled,  and  seemed  to  give  up  all  ideas  of  assault- 
ing the  fort  or  molesting  the  whites.  This  caused  the  inhabitants  of  the  fort 
to  be  less  guarded,  and  they  made  frequent  visits  and  excursions  into  the 
forests  around.  On  the  14th  of  July,  1776  (just  seven  months  from  their 
last  attack),  as  three  young  ladies,  two,  daughters  of  Colonel  Caloway,  and 
the  third,  of  Colonel  Boone,  were  leisui-ely  strolling  in  the  woods,  they  were 
pursued  by  tlie  Indians  and  caught  before  they  could  reach  the  gates  of  the 
fort.  At  this  moment,  Boone  was  off  hunting,  but  when  he  returned,  without 
any  aid,  he  followed  alone  the  tracks  of  the  Indians.  He  knew  that  if  he 
waited  to  collect  a  force,  the  cunning  robbers  would  be  entirely  beyond  pur- 
suit. With  a  sagacity  peculiar  to  huntei-s,  he  followed  their  trail  without 
the  least  deviation,  while  the  girls  had  the  presence  of  mind  to  snap  off  small 
twigs,  from  time  to  time,  as  they  passed  through  the  shrubbery  in  their 
route.  At  last,  he  came  in  sight  of  them,  and  by  the  aid  of  his  unerring 
rifle,  killed  two  of  the  Indians  and  recovered  these  young  ladies,  and  reached 
the  fort  safely  ;  one  of  these,  Elizabeth  Calloway,  married  Samuel  Henderson, 
the  brother  of  Judge  Henderson  and  Major  Pleasant  Henderson.  This  ro- 
mantic incident  afforded  Mr.  Cooper,  in  his  "  Last  of  the  Mohicans,"  an  inci- 
dent in  his  tale. 

The  crafty  foe  now  made  open  war.  On  the  15th  of  April,  1777,  the 
united  tribes  made  an  attack  on  the  fort,  but  it  was  unsuccessful. 

Id  July,  twenty-five  men  arrived  from  North  Carulina,  and  in  August, 
Captain  Bowman,  with  one  hundred  men,  arrived  from  Virginia.  By  this 
powerful  reinforcement  they  no  longer  dreaded  the  savages,  but  sallied  out 
and  made  attacks  on  the  Indians  and  drove  them  from  the  vicinity. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1778,  Colonel  Boone,  with  thirty  men,  commenced 
making  salt  for  the  first  time  in  that  region,  at  the  Blue  Licks  on  Licking 
River;  and  he  made  enough  of  this  essential  of  life  for  all  the  civilized  inha- 
bitants of  the  infant  community. 

On  the  7th  of  February,  as  Colonel  Boone  was  hunting  alone,  he  was  sur- 
prised by  one  hundred  Indians  and  two  Frenchmen.  They  took  him  pri- 
soner. He  learned  then,  that  a  furious  attack  was  to  be  made  by  a  strong 
force  on  Boonesborough.  He  capitulated  for  the  fort,  knowing  its  weak  state, 
as  it  had  only  twenty-seven  men,  the  rest  had  gone  with  salt  into  the  settle- 
ments in  Virginia. 

The  Indians,  according  to  their  treaty,  carried  their  prisoners  to  old  Chili- 
cothe,  the  principal  town  of  the  Miami,  where  the}''  arrived  on  the  18th  of 
February,  and,  according  to  their  terms,  the  Indians  used  them  kindly. 

In  March,  they  carried  Boone  to  Detroit,  to  offer  him  for  ransom  to  the 
Governor ;  but  on  the  route  the  Indians  became  so  much  attached  to  him, 
that  they  refused  to  part  with  him ;  and,  after  leaving  at  Detroit  the  other 
prisoners,  they  returned  with  Booue  to  Chilicothe.     He  was  adopted  as  one 


WATAUGA  COUNTY.  447 

of  the  tribe,  and  pretended  to  be  very  fond  of  his  new  father  and  mother, 
and  take  great  interest  in  their  spoi-ts  and  hunting.  His  plan  of  escape  was 
hurried  by  an  ahirming  circumstance ;  while  meditating  upon  it,  he  was 
astonished  to  see  an  assemblage  of  four  hundred  warriors  at  Chilicothe.  An 
attack  on  Boonesboro'  was  planned. 

On  16th  June  he  escaped,  and  reached  Boonesboro'  on  the  20th,  a  distance 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles,  during  which  he  ate  but  one  meal.  He  found 
the  fort  in  bad  condition,  and  set  all  hands  about  to  repair  it.  The  Indians, 
finding  that  he  had  escaped,  postponed  the  attack. 

On  the  1st  August,  with  nineteen  men,  Boone  sets  out  to  attack  an  Indian 
town,  called  Point  Creek,  on  the  Sciota.  Within  four  miles  of  the  fort  they 
met  forty  Indians  on  their  way  to  attack  them.  A  desperate  fight  ensues,  in 
which  Boone  conquered,  without  the  loss  of  a  man. 

On  the  8th  August,  the  largest  force  that  ever  appeared  before  Boonesboro' 
orders  it  to  surrender.  The  assailants  were  four  hundred  and  forty-four 
Indians,  and  eleven  Frenchmen,  commanded  by  Captain  Duquesne.  Boone 
requests  a  parley  of  three  days,  during  which  he  made  every  preparation  for 
an  active  and  vigorous  defence. 

On  the  9th,  Boone  informs  the  French  Commander,  that  "  he  would  defend 
the  fort  as  long  as  a  man  could  raise  a  rifle." 

The  wily  Frenchman,  knowing  the  prowess  of  his  opponent,  seeks  to  effect 
by  stratagem  what  he  dares  not  attempt  by  arms.     A  treaty  is  agreed  to. 

Boone,  with  the  required  number,  go  forth  to  sign  the  documents.  He  is 
informed,  after  signing,  that  it  was  an  Indian  custom  from  time  immemorial, 
for  two  Indians  to  shake  the  hand  of  one  white  man.  This  he  reluctantly 
consented  to,  and  the  moment  the  savages  took  hold  of  each  white  man,  they 
endeavored  to  hold  him  fast.  Boone  feels  the  sinewy  grasp  of  two  athletic 
Indians,  and  his  companions  are  betrayed  into  a  like  perilous  condition. 
Now  arose  the  mighty  struggle  for  liberty  and  for  life. 

"  Now,  gallant  Boone  !  now  hold  thy  own, 
No  maiden  arm  is  round  thee  thrown  ; 
1  That  desperate  grasp  thy  frame  would  feel, 

Through  bars  of  brass,  and  triple  steel." 

Fortune  favors  at  this  moment  of  peril  her  gallant  son ;  the  knife  of  Boone 
finds  a  bloody  sheath  in  one  of  his  opponents,  the  other  is  thrown  down,  and 
Boone  and  his  men  escape  to  the  fort. 

His  name  can  never  die.  The  memory  of  this  chivalric  exploit,  and  the  name 
of  Boone  will  live  as  long  as  the  Kentucky  River  rolls  its  troubled  tribute  to 
"  the  Great  Father  of  Waters ;"  and  when  the  marble  in  our  National  Capitol* 
which  commemorates  this  deed,  shall  have  crumbled  to  its  original  elements. 

The  Indians,  after  an  unsuccessful  attack,  raised  the  siege,  after  a  loss  of 
several  killed  and  wounded. 

During  the  absence  of  Colonel  Boone  in  captivity  among  the  Shawnees,  his 
wife,  thinking  her  husband  was  killed,  returned  with  her  family  to  her  father, 
on  the  Yadkin,  in  North  Carolina.    Boone  came  to  North  Carolina  after  them. 

He  returned  witli  them  in  about  "two  years,  to  Boonesboro',  during  which 
time,  many  battles  had  been  lost  and  won. 

As  he  and  his  brother  were  returning  from  the  Salt  Licks,  they  were 
attacked  by  the  Indians  ;  his  brother  was  killed  by  a  shot  from  the  Indians. 
Boone  only  escaped  by  rapid  flight,  killing  the  dog  the  Indians  had  sent  on 
his  trail. 

Such  was  the  life  Boone  led  until  the  defeat  of  the  Indians  by  Wayne 
(1792)  introduced  peace  and  quiet  in  this  dark  and  dangerous  country. 

Between  this  time,  and  the  time  when  (1792)  the  new  territory  came  into 
the  Union,  Virginia  had  enacted  so  many  laws,  which  Boone  in  the  simplicity 
of  his  nature  had  failed  to  comply  Avith,  or  his  business  was  done  so  loosely, 
that  the  very  land  that  he  had  bought  and  paid  for,  in  the  sacrifices  of  him- 

*  In  the  rotunda  at  Washington,  in  sculpture,  over  the  door  as  you  enter  the  House  oi" 
Representatives,  is  this  scene,  by  an  eminent  sculptor.  , 


448  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

self,  and  the  blood  of  his  son,  and  his  brother,  was  wrested  from  him.  How 
sad  a  commentary  upon  human  nature !  IIow  mournfully  true  the  Latin 
adage  : — Homo  homini  liqnis* 

In  1798  he  shoulders  his  rifle  and  goes  to  tlie  wilds  of  Missouri.  Here 
was  a  country  as  wild  and  unclaimed  as-his  heart  desired.  The  republic  was 
that  of  the  forest,  the  rifle,  and  the  hunter;  and  Boone  was  commander-in- 
chief.  He  never  sighed  for  what  was.  lost.  He  said  "  Kentucky  was  too 
crowded,  he  wanted  more  elbow-room."- 

Here  he  lived  until  1813,  when  he  lost  his  wife  ;  the  faithful  companion  of 
all  his  trials  and  troubles  exchanged  this  for  a  brighter  world.  This  was 
the  severest  blow  Boone  ever  received.-  He  left  Missouri,  and  came  to  his 
son.  Major  Nathan  Boone  ;  where  he  lived,  employing  his  leisure  with  his 
favorite  rifle,  and  trapping  beavers,  until  1818,  when  he  calmly  and  resignedly 
breathed  his  last,  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  his^  age,  surrounded  by  affection 
and  love.  It  was  stated  in  the  papers  at  the  time  of  his  death,  that  he  was 
found  dead  at  a  stand,  watching  for  de^r,  with  .his  rifle  sprung,  and  raised 
ready  to  fire.  In  the  Indian  idea,  the  great  hunter  had  gone  to  the  hunting 
grounds  of  the  warrior  above,  where  his  spirit  would  be  happy,  when  the 
stars  would  cease  to  give  their  light. 

The  character  of  Boone  is  so  peculiai-,  that  it  marks  the  age  in  which  he 
lived;  and  his  name  has  been  celebrated  in  the  verses  of  the  immortal 
Byron : —  i 

of  all  men  *- 


Who  passes  fqr  in  life  and  doath  raost,lucky, 
Of  the  great  names  which  in,  our  laces  stare, 
Is  Daniel  Booile,  backwoodsiiian  of  Kentucky. 

Crime  came  not  near  him — sjie  is  not  the  child 
Of  solitude.  Health  shrank  not  from  him,  for 
Her  home  is  in  the  rarely  trodden  wild."! 

And  tall  and  strong  and  swift  on  foot  were  tliey, 

Beyond  the  dwarfing-; city's<pale  aboiaions. 
Because  their  thoughts  had  never  been'the  prey  ' 

Of  care  or  gain  ;  the  green>'woods  vvere  Iheir  portions  : 
No  sinking  spirits  told  them  tliey  grew  gray, 

No  fashion  made  them  ape§  of  her  distortions  : 
Simple  they  were,  not  savage  ;  and  their  rifles, 
Though  very  true,  were  not  yet  used  for  trifles. 

Motion  was  in  their  days,  res|  in  their  slumbers, 

And  cheerfulness  the  handiiiaid  of  their  toil; 
Nor  yet  too  many,  nor  too  few  their  nuniijers; 

Corruption  could  not  make  tllieir  hearts  her  soil : 
The  last  which  stings,  the  splendor  which  encumbers, 

With  the  free  foresters  divide  no  spoil ; 
Serene,  not  sullen,  even  the  soli'^c'es 
Of  this  unsigbing  people  of  the  woods." 

In  North  Carolina  was  Boone  reared.  ^lere  his  youthful  days  were  spent ; 
and  here  that  bold  spirit  was  trained,  which  ao  fearlessly  encountered  the 
perils  through  which  he  passed  in  after-life.  His  fame  is  a  part  of  her  pro- 
perty, and  she  has  inscribed  his  name  on  a  town  in  the  region  where  his 
youth  was  spent. 

I  am  indebted  to  a  sketch  in  the  National  Portrat  Gallery,  by  AY.  A.  C,  for 
the  leading  facts  and  dates  in  the  life  of  Boone. 

It  may  not  be  indelicate  or  improper  to  state,,  that  much  of  it  is  extracted 
from  a  public  thesis,  that  as  early  as  1823,  the  author  delivered  as  an  original 
oratorial  exercise  at  college,  which  pro^s  at  this  day,  the  course  of  his  stu- 
dies, and  the  tendency  of  his  research.  ■ 

■         '( 

Watauga  County  continues  to  vd'te  "witli  the  counties  from  which 

*  Man  is  a  wolf  to  man.  j  Don  Juan,  Canto  YllI,  hYL. 


WATAUGA  COUNTY.  449 

she  was  taken,  until  1853,  when  she  will  be  entitled  to  a  separate 
representative. 

It  has  given  us  pleasure  to  meet,  in  a  late  number  of  the  Nash- 
ville True  Whig,  the  subjoined  sketch  of  the  life  of  John  Sevier, 
of  Tennessee.  He  was  a  cotemporary  of  Boone,  and,  as  the  reader 
will  learn  by  his  history,  a  man  "  of  high  emprise,"  and  of  heroic 
enterprise  and  courage,  which  his  aspect  and  port  strikingly  in- 
dicated ;  his  character  was  adorned  also  by  highly  social  and  amiable 
qualities. 


Monument  to  General  John  Sevier,  First  Governor  of  Tennessee. 

We  have  been  much  interested  Tvithin  the  past  few  days  in  viewing  a  hand- 
some marble  monument,  recently  constructed  at  the  marble  works  of  Messrs. 
Shelton  &  Ilam,  in  this  city,  in  honor  of  the  memory  of  General  John  Setier, 
the  distinguished  pioneer,  and  first  Governor  of  Tennessee.  The  monument 
consists  of  a  beautiful  marble  shaft,  mounted  upon  a  plynth ;  the  shaft  illus- 
trated with  a  very  striking  and  appropriate  design,  neatly  carved  out  of  solid  , 
marble,  representing  two  swords  crossed,  surmounted  by  a  wreath,  and  be- 
neath an  Indian  tomahawk  and  quiver  of  arrows,  emblematic  of  the  triumph 
of  our  arms  under  the  heroic  auspices  of  General  Sevier,  and  the  blessings  of 
peace  and  the  arts  of  civilization  succeeding  the  bloody  and  protracted  Indian, 
wars  which  illustrate  the  early  history  of  our  State,  in  which  he  acted  a  most 
arduous,  responsible,  and  distinguished  part.  Underneath  this  beautiful  and 
appropriate  device  is  the  following  inscription : — 

SE  VIE  E, 

Noble  and  successful  Defender  of  the  early  settlers  of  Ten- 
nessee ; 
The  first,  and 
For  twelve  years  Governor; 
llepresentative  in  Congress  ; 
Commissioner  in  many  treaties  with  the  Indians. 
He  served  his  country  faithfully  for  forty  years,  and  in  that 

service  died. 
An  admirer  of  patriotisto  and  merit  unrequited  erects  this 

cenotaph. 

History  has  been  strangely  neglectful  of  the  memory  of  this,  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  pioneers  of  our  State,  whose  early  annals  are  adorned  by 
the  records  of  his  prowess  in  arms  and  his  wisdom  as  a  civilian.  His  remains 
lie  buried  in  a  neighboring  State,  where  he  died  more  than  thirty  years  ago 
in  the  service  of  his  country,  without  a  stone  to  mark  the  place  of  their  repose, 
or  an  inclosure  to  protect  them  from  unhallowed  intrusion.  But  we  are  glad 
to  see  that  some  amends  are  about  to  be  made  for  the  injustice  of  the  past. 
This  monument  to  his  memory  is  erected  in  the  Nashville  Cemetery,  to  the  left 
of  the  new  gate,  inside  the  northern  enclosure — a  worthy  tribute  of  individual 
munificence  and  patriotism  to  "  merit  unrequited."  We  learn  also  that  a 
work  is  now  nearly  ready  for  the  press  by  a  member  of  the  State  Historical 
Society,  entitled  "  the  Life  and  Times  of  General  -John  Sevier,  or  incidents  ia 
the  early  settlement  of  East  Tennessee."  A  gentleman  familiar  with  his  his- 
tory has  favored  us  with  the  following  brief  biographical  sketch,  which  can- 
not fail  to  be  read  with  lively  interest.  Should  not  the  State  of  Tennessee 
take  an  early  opportunity  to  give  some  enduring  mark  of  her  grateful  appre- 
ciation of  one  to  whose  labors,  services,  and  sacrifices,  she  is  so  much  in- 
debted? 

General  Sevier  descended  from  an  ancient  family  in  France,  whose  name 
was  Xavier;  and  his  own  uniform,  bold  and  unique  signature  is  something 
like  that  orthography.  The  chirography  is  a  specimen  beautiful  and  curious. 
His  father,  Valentine  Xavier,  was  born  in  London,  and  emigrated  to  America 


450  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

in  the  first  part  of  the  last  century — settled  on  the  Shenandoah,  in  Virginia, 
where  John  Sevier  was  born  about  1740. 

When  but  a  young  man  he  married  Miss  Hawkins,  by  whom  he  had  six 
children. 

She  was  delicate  and  never  moved  from  Eastern  Virginia,  but  died  there 
soon  after  the  birth  of  her  sixth  child. 

AVith  an  exploring  and  emigrating  party  he  came  to  the  Ilolston  River  (in 
East  Tennessee,  then  a  part  of  North  Carolina),  about  1769.  He. directed 
and  aided  in  the  construction  of  the  first  fort  on  the  AVatauga  River,  where 
his  father,  his  brother  Valentine,  himself,  and  others  settled.  Whilst  in  de- 
fence of  the  Watauga  Fort,  in  conjunction  with  Captain  James  Robertson  (so 
favorably  distinguished  in  early  Middle  Tennessee  history),  he  discovered  a 
young  lady  of  tall  and  erect  stature  coming  with  the  fleetness  of  the  roe  to- 
wards the  fort,  closely  pursued  by  Indians,  and  her  approach  to  the  gate  cut 
off  by  the  enemy,  who  doubtless  were  confident  of  a  captive  or  of  a  victim  to 
their  guns  and  arrows ;  but  turning  suddenly  she  eluded  her  pursuers,  and 
leaped  the  palisades  at  another  point,  and  fell  into  the  arms  of  Captain  John 
Sevier.  This  remarkably  active  and  resolute  woman  was  Miss  Catharine 
Sherrill,  who,  in  a  few  years  after  this  sudden  leap  into  the  ai'ms  of  the  Cap- 
tain, became  the  devoted  wife  of  the  Colonel,  and  the  bosom  companion  of  the 
General,  the  Governor,  the  People's  man,  and  the  patriot,  John  Sevier,  and 
the  mother  often  children,  who  could  rise  up  and  call  her  blessed. 

During  Sevier's  visit  to  his  family  in  1773,  Lord  Dunmore,  the  Governor  of 
Virginia,  then  fitting  out  an  expedition  against  the  Shawness  aiid  other  tribes 
north  of  the  Ohio  River,  presented  to  Sevier  the  commission  of  Captain,  to 
command  a  company  raised  under  his  own  eye  and  care  in  the  county  of  Dun- 
more.  This  expedition  ended  with  the  perilous  and  fearful  battle  of  Point 
Pleasant,  where  James  Robertson  and  Valentine  Sevier  entitled  themselves 
to  much  honor  and  acknowledgments. 

The  settlers  on  the  Holston,  Watauga,  and  Nolachucka,  were  beyond  the 
influence  and  power  of  the  State  laws  and  Executive  ofiicers  of  North  Carolina, 
and,  therefore,  as  wise  men,  who  knew  the  advantages  of  laws^and  ofiicers, 
acknowledged  as  authoritative,  they,  in  1772,  adopted  a  form  of  government, 
called  the  '"  Watauga  Government,"  and  they  elected  John  Sevier  as  one  of 
four  delegates  to  a  Convention  at  Halifax,  North  Carolina.  He  attended  a 
cession  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  in  1777  procured  the  establishment  of 
a  district  and  the  extension  of  State  laws,  establishment  of  Courts,  &c.  The 
patriotic  sentiments  of  the  man  were  avowed  in  the  selection  of  the  name  for 
this  district  where  he  had  cast  his  lot,  and  where  were  the  bold  ami  hardy 
pioneers  with  whom  he  was  associated.  This  was  "  Washington  District," 
North  Carolina.  The  people  had  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  their  inchoate 
and  infant  government  of  Watauga  from  1772  to  this  date,  and  had  accom- 
plished many  things  worthy  of  note.  They  opened  paths  across  the  moun- 
tains, felled  the  forests,  opened  fields,  built  forts  and  houses,  ''  subdued  the 
earth,"  and  l)egan  rapidly  to  "replenish  it,"  for  "they  married,  and  were 
given  to  marriage  ;"  and  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  some  years  afterwards, 
deemed  a  good  opportunity  presented  for  her  to  gain  the  credit  of  an  act  of 
"  supererogation,"  and  passed  laws  to  confirm  marriages  and  other  deeds  and 
doings  of  these  wayward  "  children  in  the  woods." 

In  June,  1776,  "Old  Abraham,"  in  command  of  a  band  of  Cherokees  from 
Chilhowee  Mountains,  attacked  the  Watauga  Fort,  commanded  by  Sevier  and 
Robertson ;  and,  as  the  best  feat  performed,  he  chased  the  "  lovely  Catharine 
to  the  Captain's  arms ;"  and  we  have  heard  her  say  she  used  to  feel  ready  to 
have  another  such  a  race  and  leap  over  the  pickets  to  enjoy  another  such  an 
introduction. 

On  this  same  day  was  fought  the  battle  of  the  Flats.  Other  skirmishes 
occurred  here  and  there  at  different  times. 

Captain  Sevier  was  actively  engaged  in  the  expedition  of  Colonel  Christian, 
ordered  out  by  Virginia,  and  joined  the  Virginia  troops  at  "Double  Springs," 
and  he  neglected  no  opportunity  to  pursue  the  Indians  or  chastise  them  for 
any  of  their  insults  or  outrages.     He  promptly  united  with  others,  without 


WATAUGA  COUNTY.  451 

envy,  or  jealousy,  or  reservation,  and  he  as  readily  fitted  out  expeditions  from 
his  own  neighborhoods  and  with  his  own  means,  without  boasting,  without 
fear,  and  with  iiever  a  failure.     In  1777  he  was  made  Lieutenant-Colonel. 

In  1778,  it  is  probable  that  his  first  wife  died,  for  in  1779,  we  believe,  he  wag 
married  to  Miss  Sherrill,  of  whom  it  is  truly  and  handsomely  said,  "she  could 
outrun,  outjump,  walk  more  erect,  and  ride  more  gracefully  and  skillfully 
than  any  other  female  in  all  the  mountains  round  about  or  on  the  continent 
at  large." 

In  1779  Captain  Sevier  raised  troops,  entered  the  Indian  territory,  burnt 
their  towns,  made  prisoners,  and  fought  the  successful  battle  of  "  Boyd'a 
Creek." 

A  few  days  after  the  battle  of  Boyd's  Creek,  Colonel  Sevier  was  joined  by 
Colonel  Arthur  Campbell,  with  a  Virginia  regiment,  and  by  Colonel  Isaac 
Shelby,  with  his  troops  from  Sullivan  County,  North  Carolina,  and  these  three 
Colonels,  in  harmony,  scoured  the  Cherokee  country,  scattered  hostile  bands, 
destroyed  the  homes  of  the  Indians,  and  then  returned  to  their  own,  in  better 
security  and  some  more  confidence  of  peace. 

1780.  This  was  the  critical  year  of  the  American  Revolution — certainly  so 
as  regarded  the  Southern  States.  Chai-leston  surrendered.  Gates  defeated, 
reverses  here  and  there  ;  money  exhausted — provisions,  clothing,  and  ammu- 
nition scarce — many  hearts  fainting,  fearful,  and  desponding — taking  shelter 
under  British  protection-certificates  (happily  not  reliable) — tories  multiplying, 
daring,  and  savage — the  British  troops  over-running  South  Carolina,  Georgia, 
parts  of  Virginia,  and  advancing  to  the  mountain  regions  of  North  Carolina — 
the  Indians  upon  the  borders  of  all  our  settlements  bribed,  instigated,  and 
inflamed  against  the  Americans — the  sun  of  American  Independence  was 
obscured,  hidden  behind  accumulating  clouds. 

But  soon  and  suddenly  it  beamed  forth  and  sent  its  cheering  rays  through 
all  the  land,  as  it  rose  over  the  summit  of  King's  Mountain. 

Colonel  Sevier  is  entitled  to  a  full  share  of  all  the  credit  and  all  the  glory 
won  on  the  7tli  day  of  October,  1780.  The  sword  and  vote  of  thanks  from 
the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina,  were  earned — well  earned,  and  were 
creditable  to  the  State. 

But  wlien  we  review  the  deeds  of  this  man's  life,  and  ask  for  the  evidences 
of  due  appreciation,  we  wonder  and  are  sad  that  a  people  intelligent,  so  rich, 
so  prosperous,  so  proud,  so  honorable — a  people  ready  to  applaud  the  spirit 
of  patriotism  and  independence,  and  to  glory  in  deeds  of  daring,  and  to  give 
hearty  expressions  of  praise  to  a  devoted  public  servant — should  build  up  no 
beautiful  and  durable  monument  or  proud  cenotaph  to  teach  their  children 
and  the  world  that  such  a  one  deserved  this,  and  more  than  this,  and  shall 
not  be  forgotten,  but  ever  honored — highly  honored.  What  is  the  sentiment 
of  East  Tennessee?  What  of  the  County  of  Sevier,  and  of  Hawkins,  with 
her  beautiful  marble? — Of  Sevier  and  Hawkins — hewed  out  of  the  Indian 
quarry,  chiseled  and  fashioned  and  adopted  and  organized  under  the  State  of 
Franklin  ;  one  honored  by  and  honoring  the  name  of  the  Governor  of  that  in- 
teresting State,  the  other  rejoicing  in  the  name  of  her  who  was  the  honored 
and  honoring  first  wife  of  that  model  architect  and  statesman,  hero  and 
civilian ! 

Consult,  combine,  contribute ;  construct  a  cenotaph  worthy  of  him — worthy 
of  yourselves! 

In  the  fall  of  this  year.  Dykes,  a  noted  and  infamous  Tory,  laid  his  plan 
with  his  associates  to  seize  Colonel  Sevier,  and  put  him  to  a  cruel  and  igno- 
minious death,  and  would  have  accomplisiied  his  purpose,  had  not  his  wife 
divulged  to  Mrs.  Sevier  the  plan.  She  had  often  received  favors  from  the 
family  (as  did  all  others  who  applied),  and  she  came  with  her  apron  held  out 
to  ask  for  a  quart  of  meal  and  a  slice  of  meat,  and  near  the  smoke-house  re- 
vealed the  scheme,  and  thus  foiled  the  wicked  purpose  of  her  husband. 

In  June  of  this  year.  Colonel  Sevier  had  marched  into  South  Carolina  to 
aid  Colonel  McDowell  and  others  against  the  Cherokees  and  Creeks.  The 
battle  of  Musgrove's  Mills  was  one  of  several  fought  during  this  tour. 

lu  February,  1781,  Lieut.-Colonel  Sevier  was  honored  by  a  communication 


452  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

from  Gov.  Caswell,  of  North  Carolina,  enclosing  to  him  a  commission  as  Colonel 
of  the  County  of  Washington  (the  district  having  been  changed  to  a  county), 
and  within  a  few  days  thereafter,  Gen.  Greene's  appointment  of  him  as  a 
commissioner  to  treat  with  the  chiefs  of  the  Cherokees,_  Chickasaws,  and 
other  tribes,  was  received,  and  he  discharged  the  trust  satisfactorily. 

In  this  year,  Colonel  Sevier  conducted  several  important  enterprises 
against  the'lndians,  in  one  of  which  a  considerable  number  of  women  and 
children  were  captured,  and,  owing  to  their  exposed  condition,  he  had  some 
thirty  of  them  conducted  to  his  own  home,  where  ten  of  them  remained  for  three 
years,  living  upon  his  individual  bounty  at  their  ease,  working  not  at  all,  or 
not  enough  "  to  pay  for  their  salt,"  at  the  high  prices  of  those  days.  But 
the  kind  treatment  these  prisoners  received  from  Colonel  Sevier  and  his 
family,  was  one  of  the  best  victories  ever  gained  by  him,  and  the  entire  ex- 
pense of  this  was  individual  and  his  own,  as  were  the  costs  of  equipments 
and  provisions  of  more  warlike  and  hazardous  deeds.  For  these,  neither  the 
State  nor  the  Government  ever  made  him  any  remuneration. 

In  this  very  year,  too.  North  Carolina  had,  by  solemn  resolution,  compli- 
mented Sevier  and  Shelby  for  volunteer  services  and  noble  deeds,  and  then 
urged  them  to  "  fight  away  on  their  own  hook,"  defend  the  frontiers,  and 
"  please  make  our  best  bow  and  politest  acknowledgments  to  Colonels  Camp- 
bell and  Preston,  of  Virginia,  for  their  spirited  exertions  in  behalf  of  the 
Southern  States,"  &c. 

Compliments  and  petitions  of  this  kind  came  not  only  from  the  State,  but 
from  individuals  and  the  inhabitants  of  frontier  settlements,  and  in  some  of 
them  Colonel  Sevier  is  addressed  as  "  His  Excellency"— a?reac7?/. 

In  September,  Gen.  Greene  urged  Sevier  to  advance  to  his  aid— he  did  so 
with  two  hundred  men,  to  "rouse  the  Whigs  and  whip  the  Tories,"  and  so 

went  on.  .  ,        i     i 

Sevier  and  Shelby  were  attached  to  Marion's  command,  with  five  hundred 

mounted  men. 

Cornwallis  having  surrendered  in  October,  Sevier  and  Shelby  wished  the 
privilege  to  attack  the  Hessians  at  Monk's  Corner,  but  had  to  go  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Mayhew,  of  South  Carolina.  They  had  a  share  in  other 
movements.  Shelby  returned  home  to  attend  as  a  member  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, but  Sevier  remained  till  near  the  end  of  the  year  1781. 

1781-82.  Colonel  Sevier  conducted  several  expeditions  into  the  Cherokee 
country,  to  the  Chiccamauga  towns,  to  Citico,  Chota,  &c. 

1783.  News  of  peace  with  England  received  in  March;  and  here  the  Whigs 
"rejoiced  with  them  that  did  rejoice;"  but  the  warfare  here  was  not  ended. 

iVS-l.  And  now  came  on  the  scenes  of  the  "  State  of  Franklin;"  an  anoma- 
lous State ;  stirring  scenes  and  strangely-commingled  events — personal,  civil, 
legislative,  judicial,  executive,  and  military  motion  and  commotion,  conten- 
tion and  strife,  and  continuing  for  several  years,  and  much  of  it  with,  and 
aimed  at  the  very  man  who  had  done,  was  doing,  and  continued  to  do  more 
to  defend  the  people  and  promote  their  peace  and  prosperity,  than  any  other 
man  in  all  the  country.  Sevier  was  tendered  a  commission  as  Brigadier-Gene- 
ral, by  vote  of  the  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina,  and,  as  some  sus- 
pected, with  the  view  of  withdrawing  him  from  any  participation  in  the  move- 
ment for  a  new  State,  but,  as  has  been  said,  "he,  like  Moses,  chose  rather  to 
suffer  affliction  with  his  people,  than  be  flattered  with  the  Avriting  on  sheep- 
skin ;"  and  he  did  suffer.  But  out  of  it  all  the  Lord  delivered  him,  and  the 
people  finally  shouted  pseans  and  amen. 

In  the  contests  of  that  day,  each  party  was  ambitious  for  his  friendship ; 
each  desired  him  as  a  leader,  and  so  did  the  State  of  North  Carolina.  And 
soon  he  had  to  contend  with  "Old  Rip  Van  Winkle"  at  arm's  length,  with 
active  and  vigilant  political  opponents  hand-to-hand,  with  the  Indians  hip 
and  thigh,  and  from  tree  to  tree.  But  he  feared  not,  faltered  not,  and  he 
failed  not.  To  him  the  "coon-skin  money"  of  the  State  of  Franklin  was  of 
more  esteem  than  the  parchment  roll  with  the  Great  Seal  of  North  Carolina 
attached.  lie  had  in  a  trunk  at  his  log-cabin,  on  the  Nolachucka,  more  than 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars  of  North  Carolina  currency — her  "  continental 
paper" — which  was  "not  worth  a  continental" — exclamation  ! 


WATAUGA  COUXTY.  453 

In  the  several  treaties  he' negotiated  with  the  Indians  while  Governor  of 
Franklin,  and  at  other  times  prior  and  subsequent,  "the  pipe"  was  lighted 
with  North  Carolina  notes— punk,  the  meanest  kind  oi  fumjus — worthless, 
rotten  stuff.  i 

In  1786,  the  Cherokees  disregarded  the  treaty  of  Hopewell,  and  Gov. 
Sevier  had  to  pursue  their  marauding  parties,  and  punish  them  in  their 
towns  on  the  Iliwassee  and  elsewhere.* 

1787-88.  The  measures  proposed  and-  adopted  to  satisfy  the  people  of 
Franklin,  and  the  anxiety  of  North  Carolina  tQ  yield  up  the  territory  to  the 
General  Government,  and  be  relieved  of  the  many  urgent  demands  upon  her 
treasury  for  these  western  counties,  induced  Gov.  Sevier,  and  the  supporters 
of  the  State  of  Franklin,  to  come  into  measures  of  adjustment.  The  territory 
was  ceded  to  the  United  States — organized  as  the  territory  south  of  the  Ohio 
River. 

1788-96.  The  State  of  Franklin  quietly  died.  The  stage  of  Territorial 
Government  was  passed  through ;  the  State  of  Tennessee  was  established, 
admitted  into  the  Union,  and  Gen.  Sevier  was  chosen  i\\Q  first  Governor.  In 
all  the  period,  from  the  beginning  of  Franklin  to  Tennessee,  Sevier  was  in- 
cessantly engaged  in  the  defence  of  the  settlements  exposed  to  depredations 
from  the  Indians,  and  in  whatsoever  public  duty  could  be  performed  by  un- 
wearied attention  and  invincible  devotion. 

The  people  living  south  of  Tennessee  and  Holston,  and  west  of  Big  Pigeon 
and  French  Broad,  regarded  Gen.  Sev'ier  as  their  father,  friend,  and  protector  ; 
and  so  in  other  settlements,  and  through  all  the  years  from  '87  to  '95,  they 
were  virtually  left  to  his  care ;  and  for  them,  and  with  them,  his  word  and 
will  was  "law  and  gospel."  , 

He  was  engaged  in  almost  every  treaty  or  negotiation  with  the  Cherokees, 
and  they  were  many,  as  also  in  treaties  with  other  tribes,  insomuch  that 
he  acquired  the  honorable  distinction  of  "the  Treaty-Maker.'^  His  more 
familiar  sobriquet  "among  the  people"  and  with  the  Indians,  was  "  Chucky 
Jack."t  \ 

1794.  After  Gen.  Wayne's  victoryfon  the  Miami  River,  the  southern  In- 
dians began  to  manifest  a  disposition  less  warlike;  but  they  and  their  white 
neighbors  did  not  all,  and  altogether,  and  all  the  time,  "  keep  the  peace." 

Gov.  Sevier's  second  term  closed  in  September,  1801,  when  Archibald 
Roane  was  sworn  into  office.  Roane  was  Governor  for  one  term,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Sevier,  who  took  the  bath  of  office  in  September,  1803,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Willie  Blount  in  the  fajl  of  1809. 

1811.  He  was  elected  a  representative  in  Congress,  together  with  Felix 
Grundy  and  John  Rhda. 

1813.  He  was  re-elected  to  Congress. 

During  the  war  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  Military  Committee,  to  which 
was  entrusted  more  business)  and  frqm  which  was  required  more  labor,  than 
any  other  in  Congress.  His  opinions,  especially  in  regard  to  western  affairs, 
and  relations  with  the  southern  Indians,  were  earnestly  sought  for,  and  were 
highly  respected. 

At  the  close  of  the  session  of  Congress  in  1815,  he  was  persuaded  by  Presi- 
dent Madison  (against  the  advice  of  friends  who  regarded  his  age  and  im- 
paired health)  to  accept  an  important  mission  to  adjust  difficulties  with  the 
Creek  Indians.  He  engaged  in  the  cKities  of  a  commissioner,  was  taken  sick, 
and  died  at  an  encampment  on  the  east  side  of  the  Tallapoosa  River,  near 
Fort  Decatur,  on  the  24th  -of  September,  1815,  and  was  buried  witli  the 
honors  of  war.  Gen.  Gaine^'wasin  command  of  regular  troops  near  there, 
and,  though  himself  quite  sick,  paid  the  last  sad  tribute  of  respect  to  a  brave 
fellow  soldier. 

{ 

*  In  178S,  Sevier  was  arrested  by  a  bench-warrant  from  North  Carolina.  He  was 
taken  to  Morganton  as  a  prisoner.    Vol.  i   l*?. 

t  In  1790  he  was  a  nieniber  of  Congress  from  North  Carolina  (Vol.  i.  Ill),  from 
the  portion  now  Tennessee,  and  this  year  Tennessee  was  adniiUed  mto  llie  Uaiuu.  Vol. 
i.  97. 


454  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLII^TA. 

During  the  time  he  was  engaged  in  this  service,  at  such  a  distance  from 
his  family  and  constituents,  he  was  re-elected  to  Congress  without  opposition. 

He  had  been  elected  Governor  by  a  unanimous  vote,  and  seldom  had  he  to 
encounter  any  formidable  opposition. 

From  President  AYashington  he  received  the  commission  of  Brigadier-Gene- 
ral of  the  territory  south  of  the  Ohio  Kiver,  or  rather,  of  one  district,  Briga- 
dier-General Robertson  commanding  the  other,  until  he  threw  up  the  com- 
mission because  censured  for  the  IVickajack  expedition. 

In  this  hasty  summary,  no  mention  has  been  made  of  the  battle  of  Heigh- 
tower,  or  of  some  of  the  military  enterprises  by  Gen.  Sevier,  for  which  he  and 
his  troops  were  for  a  long  time  refused  the  approval  of  the  General  Govern- 
ment and  any  pay  whatsoever.  He  was  nearly  ruined  by  his  engagements 
and  the  supplies  for  some  of  the  most  useful  tours  he  made  into  the  Indian 
country. 

His  was  a  busy  life;  never  at  rest,  never  a  retired  man  or  private  citizen. 
And,  at  last,  with  high  commission  from  his  Government,  with  purposes  of 
peace,  he  goes  down  among  the  warlike  nations,  and  there  he  dies,  and  is 
buried,  and  there  his  State  and  country  let  him  lie,  and  no  stone  to  tell  his 
resting  place ;  and  near  his  side  is  the  grave  of  that  good  captain  who  fired 
the  last  sad  volley  over  the  sleeping  dust  of  the  patriot  hero.  And  the  gazing, 
thoughtful  Indians  question  with  themselves,  "  Is  this  the  goal  of  ambition  ? 
Such  the  climax  of  glory !  What  now  will  his  people  do  1"  Pass  resolu- 
tions, wear  crape  on  the  arm  a  few  days,  talk  much  of  his  deeds  and  his 
sacrifices  for  the  country,  but  leave  him  away,  and  "  alone  in  his  glory." 


CHAPTER    LXXIX. 


WAYNE  COUNTY. 


Wayne  County  was  formed  in  1779,  from  Dobbs  County,  (now 
divided  into  Greene  and  Lenoir.) 

"VYayne  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Edgecombe  and  Nash  Coun- 
ties, on  the  east  by  Greene  and  Lenoir,  on  the  south  by  Duplin  and 
Sampson,  on  the  west- by  Johnston  County. 

Its  population  in  1850,  7,802  whites ;  664  free  negroes  ;  5,020  slaves  ;  11,478 
representative  population. 

Products  (1840),  461,165  bushels  corn  ;  12,744  bushels  wheat  ;8,855  bushels 
oats;  402,175  lbs.  cotton  ;  8,987  lbs.  wool ;  3,499  barrels  turpentine. 

Its  capital  is  Waynesboro',  fifty-one  miles  south-east  of  Raleigh. 

Its  name  is  derived  from  Anthony  Wayne,  of  Pennsylvania, 
distinguished  in  the  Revolutionary  War. 

From  his  daring  spirit,  and  fearless  temper,  he  received  the 
sobriquet  of  "Mad  Anthony." 

General  AYatxe  was  born  in  Chester  County,  Pennsylvania,  in  1745.  His 
family  had  been  distinguished.  His  grandfather  had  borne  a  commission  of 
Captain,  and  fought  in  the  battle  of  Boyne ;  which  elevated  the  House  of 
Orange  to  the  English  Throne.  His  father  was  a  respectable  farmer,  and  had 
represented  Chester  County  in  the  Assembly  before  the  Revolution. 

In  1773  he  succeeded  his  father  as  representative  from  the  county  of  Ches- 


WAYNE  COUNTY.  455 

ter,  and  from  his  first  appearance  in  public  life,  was  distinguished  for  his  firm 
and  patriotic  conduct. 

In  1775  he  was  appointed  to  command  a  regiment.  In  the  same  year  he 
marched  with  General  Thompson  into  Canada.  In  the  defeat  which  followed, 
General  Thompson  was  taken  prisoner ;  Wayne  behaved  with  great  gallantry 
and  was  severely  wounded. 

In  1770  he  served  under  General  Gates,  at  Ticonderoga,  and  was  highly 
esteemed  by  that  officer  as  a  skillful  engineer. 

At  the  close  of  the  campaign  he  was  promoted  to  be  a  Brigadier-General. 

At  the  battle  of  Brandywine,  in  1777,  he  behaved  with  lion  courage,  and 
for  a  long  time  kept  at  bay  the  superior  force  of  the  enemy  at  Chad's  Ford. 
After  this  battle  he  was  detached  hj  General  Washington  to_  harass  the 
enemy  with  his  brigade  by  every  means  in  his  power.  The  British  were  en- 
camped at  TredyfFrin,  and"^  General  Wayne  about  three  miles  off,  near  Paoli 
Tavern.  On  the  night  of  the  20th  September,  1777,  the  enemy,  underMajor- 
General  Gray,  having  driven  in  Wayne's  pickets,  suddenly  attacked  him  with 
fixed  bayonets.  The  superior  force  of  the  British  compelled  Wayne  to  re- 
treat, but  he  formed  again  at  a  small  distance,  having  lost  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  men  killed  and  wounded. 

Some  bhame  having  been  attached  to  him  by  certain  officers  for  this  affair, 
Wayne  demanded  a  court-martial.  After  examining  the  evidence,  the  Court 
declared  that  General  Wayne  had  done  everything  that  could  be  expected 
from  an  active,  brave,  and  vigilant  officer,  and  acquitted  him  with  honor. 

A  marble  monument  has  been  erected  over  the  remains  of  the  brave  men 
who  fell  at  Paoli,  not  far  from  Philadelphia. 

At  the  battle  of  Germantown,  fought  a  few  days  after,  he  greatly  distin- 
guished himself.  He  had  one  horse  shot  under  him,  another  killed  as  he 
was  about  to  mount,  and  he  received  several  wounds  on  his  own  person.  It 
was  at  this  battle  that  North  Carolina  lost  her  brave  General  Nash,  of  Orange 
County,  and  the  heroic  Col.  Henry  Irwin,  of  Edgecombe  County.  He  and 
General  Cadwallader,  in  the  Council  of  war,  were  the  only  two  officers  that 
favored  the  attack.  The  American  officers  were  influenced  by  the  opinions 
of  the  Europeans.  Baron  Steuben,  Generals  Lee  and  Du  Portail  warmly  op- 
posed the  engagement  as  too  hazardous.  But  Washington  had  determined 
to  attack  the  enemy,  and  Wayne  was  conspicuous  in  the  attack.  In  his  let- 
ter to  Congress,  reporting  this  battle.  General  Washington  says  :— 

♦'  The  catalogue  of  the  officers  who  distinguished  themselves  is  too  long 
to  admit  of  particularizing  individuals.  They  seem  to  vie  with  each  other 
in  manifesting  their  zeal  and  bravery.  "  I  cannot,"  adds  he,  "  however,  for- 
bear mentioning  Brigadier-General  Wayne,  whose  conduct  and  bravery 
throughout  the  whole  action  deserves  particular  commendation," 

In  July,  1779,  the  commander-in-chief  conceived  the  design  of  attacking 

Stony  Point.  „     ,  .  ,   .  ,     , 

Stony  Point  is  a  considerable  height,  the  base  of  which  is  washed  on  one 
side  by  the  Hudson  River,  and  on  the  other  by  a  deep  morass,  over  which 
there  was  but  one  crossing  place.  On  the  top  of  the  height  was  the  fort, 
with  batteries  of  heavy  artillery  ;  in  front  were  advanced  breastwoi-ks,  and 
half  way  down  was  a  double  row  of  abattis.  The  cannon  commanded  the 
beach  and  the  crossing  place.  It  was  strongly  garrisoned  by  six  hundred 
Highlanders,  commanded  by  Colonel  Johnson. _  Several  British  ships  of  war 
lav  in  the  river,  whose  guns  commanded  the  hill. 
"To  approach  this  fort  was  dangerous,  to  attack  it  hazardous,  and  to  take 

it  seemed  impracticable.  .      ,    .  ^  i  -irr  i 

General  Washington  communicated  his  design  to  General  Wayne,  ana 
his  heroic  spirit  gloried  in  the  attempt.    He  was  detached  for  this  purpose. 

On  the  15th  July,  1779,  Wayne  left  the  main  body  of  the  army,  and  with 
his  command,  arrived  at  eight  o'clock  at  night  within  a  mile  and  a  halt  ot 
the  fort,  where  he  halted  his  troops.  He  reconnoitered  the  situation  ot  the 
enemy,  and  then  made  the  necessary  disposition  for  the  assault.  At  nalt 
past  eleven  at  night,  with  unloaded  guns  and  fixed  bayonets,  he  made  a  silent 
38 


456  HISTOKY  OF  NOKTH  CAROLINA. 

but  steady  assault,  took  the  fort  without  a  gun  being  fired  from  one  of  his 
men,  and  made  the  garrison  prisoners,  amounting  to  five  hundred  and  forty- 
three,  (the  rest  being  killed.)  While  at  the  head  of  the  regiment  (Febiger) 
Wayne  received  in  the  head  a  musket  ball  and  he  fell.  The  enemy  was 
giving  way,  and  Wayne  desired  his  aids  to  carry  him  into  the  fort  to  die.  But 
the  wound  was  not  mortal,  and  he  lived  to  receive  the  thanks  of  his  country, 
and  the  plaudits  of  the  nation  for  this  daring  display  of  gallantry.  He  was 
awarded  Ijy  Congress  a  gold  medal  for  this  brilliant  battle. 
Here  is  his  report  of  the  battle. 

"  Stony  Point,  July  16th,  1779, 
2  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
Dear  General — The  fort  and  garrison,  with  Colonel  Johnson,  are  ours. 
Our  officers  and  men  behaved  like  men  determined  to  be  free. 

Yours  most  sincerely, 

ANTHONY  WAYNE." 
To  General  Washington. 

The  effect  of  this  victory,  while  it  enlivened  the  friends  of  liberty,  dis- 
heartened the  British.  They  had  been  whipped  with  their  own  favorite 
weapon,  the  bayonet,  which  they  alleged  was  invincible  in  their  hands,  and 
one  that  the  Americans  could  never  stand.  The  report  of  AVayne  was  as 
modest  as  it  is  laconic.  Like  the  letter  of  Coesar  to  the  Roman  Senate,*  or 
in  more  recent  times  the  gallant  Perry  from  the  Lakes,  "  We  have  met  the 
enemy  and  they  are  ours.'' 

In  the  closing  campaign  of  the  Revolution  in  1781,  when  Cornwallis  had 
to  surrender  at  Yorktown,  Wayne  bore  a  conspicuous  part  with  Washington. 

He  was  after  this  dispatched  to  Georgia  to  take  command  in  that  State, 
where  the  enemy  had  made  some  head,  and  after  some  sanguinary  conflicts 
established  peace,  security,  and  order.  For  these  services  Georgia  presented 
him  with  a  valuable  farm.  The  fatigues  of  war  being  over,  he  retired  to  his 
farm. 

In  1789  he  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  of  Pennsylvania  for  consider- 
ing the  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

In  1792  he  was  called  again  to  the  field  of  Mars.  The  Indians  on  our  western 
frontier  had  become  very  dangerous,  and  had  committed  ravages  and  murders. 
They  had  defeated  General  St.  Clair.  At  Miami,  in  August,  he  met  the  sa- 
vages in  strong  force,  and  after  a  sanguinary  conflict  routed  them. 

His  work  was  now  done.  "He  had  finished  his  course  ;  he  had  fought  the 
good  fight."  He  had  materially  aided  in  establishing  the  liberties  of  his 
country ;  he  had  shielded  her  from  the  savage  foe  ;  he  had  seen  her  free,  in- 
dependent, glorious  ;  and,  like  Simeon  of  old,  he  was  ready  to  depart  in  peace. 
He  died  in  December  1796,  on  Presque  Isle,  on  Lake  Erie. 

A  few  years  since,  with  filial  affection,  his  son.  Honorable  Isaac  Wayne 
(who  was  in  Congress  in  1823  to  1825,  from  Pennsylvania),  removed  his  bones 
to  his  native  county,  Chester ;  and,  by  direction  of  the  Pennsylvania  State 
Society  of  the  Cincinnati,  a  monument  of  white  marble  has  been  erected 
unto  his  memory,  in  Saint  David's  Church,  in  that  county,  which  bears  the 
following  inscription : 

In  honor  of  the  distinguished 
military  services  of 

Major-General 

Anthony  Wayne  ; 

And  as  an  affectionate  tribute 

of  respect  to  his  memory, 

this  stone  was  erected  by  his 

companions  in  arms. 

The  Pennsylvania  State  Society  of 

The  Cincinnati, 

July  4th,  A.  D.  1809, 

*  "  Veni,  vidi,  vici."    I  came,  saw,  conquered. 


"WAYNE  COUNTY.  457 

thirty-fourth  anniversary  of 

the  Independence  of 

the  United  States  of  America ; 

an  event  which  constitutes  the  most 

appropriate  eulogium  of  an  American 

Soldier  and  Patriot. 

The  north  front  exhibits  the  folloTving  inscription  : 

Major-General 

Anthony  Wayne 

■was  born  at  Waynesborough, 

in  Chester  County, 

State  of  Pennsylvania, 

A.  D.  1745. 

After  a  life  of  honor  and  usefulness, 

he  died  in  December,  1796, 

at  a  military  post 

on  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie, 

Commandei'-in-chief  of  the  army  of 

the  United  States. 

His  military  achievements 

are  consecrated 

in  the  history  of  his  covintry, 

and  in 

the  hearts  of  his  countrymen. 

His  remains 

are  here  deposited. 

The  revolutionary  times  in  this  section  of  our  State  have  recently  received 
notice  from  the  graphic  pen  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  F.  Ellet,  in  The  Womeii  of  the 
Eevolution. 

EzEKiEL  Slocumb  vTas  a  member  of  the  House  of  Commons  In  1812,  '14, 
'15,  '16,  and  1818.  His  wife  was  Mary  Hooks,  and  the  sister  of  Hon.  Charles 
Hooks,  who  was  a  member  of  Congress  from  the  Wilmington  District  in  1816, 
and  in  1819  to  1825,  and  who  removed  to  Alabama  and  recently  died  there. 
She  was  born  in  Bertie  County  in  1760.  When  both  were  only  eighteen 
years  old,  she  and  Ezekiel  Slocumb  were  married,  whose  mother,  a  widow 
Slocumb,  had  married  her  father. 

But  their  honeymoon  was  disturbed  by  the  ravages  of  war,  for  their  Revolu- 
tion had  broken  out,  and  North  Carolina  for  a  time  was  the  theatre  of  hostile 
and  sanguinary  scenes.  Her  "boy-husband"  joined  a  troop  of  light  horse, 
and  performed  severe  duty  in  keeping  down  the  Royalists.  During  these 
absences,  Mrs.  Slocumb  took  entire  charge  of  the  farm,  and  she  used  to  say 
that  she  did  as  much  and  all  the  work  a  man  ever  did,  except  "mauling 
rails,"  and  to  do  that  exception  away,  she  went  out  "  one  day  and  split  a  few:' 
She  was  skilled  in  all  the  female  accomplishments  of  sewing,  spinning,  weav- 
ing, and  washing,  and  perfect  in  horsemanship.  The  following  circumstances 
will  show  her  noble  spirit,  and  her  more  than  feminine  courage.  Just  before 
the  battle  of  Moore's  Creek  (1776),  the  men  had  all  gone  under  Caswell  to 
fight  the  Tories  under  MacDonald.  Colonel  Slocumb  was  in  the  battle  which 
occurred  on  27th  February,  1776,  and  his  recollection  of  the  part  he  bore  in 
that  was  too  vivid  ever  to  be  forgotten.  "  And,"  he  would  say,  "  my  toife  was 
there  .'"*     She  was,  indeed  ;  but  the  story  is  best  told  in  her  own  words  : — ■ 

"  The  men  all  left  on  Sunday  morning.  More  than  eighty  went  from  this 
house  with  my  husband.  I  looked  at  them  well,  and  I  could  see  that  every 
man  had  mischief  in  him.  I  knew  a  coward  as  soon  as  I  set  my  eyes  upon 
him.     The  Tories  more  than  once  tried  to  frighten  me,  but  they  always 

*  See  Mrs.  Ellett's  "Women  of  the  Revolution." 


458  HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLINA. 

showed  coward  at  the  hare  insinuation  that  our  troops  were  ahout,  "Well, 
they  got  off  in  high  spirits,  every  man  stepping  high  and  light,  and  I  slept 
soundly  and  quietly  that  night  and  worked  hard  all  the  next  day ;  but  I 
kept  thinking  where  they  had  got  to,  how  far,  where  and  how  many  of  the 
regulars  and  tories  they  would  meet ;  and  I  could  not  keep  myself  from  that 
study.  I  went  to  bed  at  the  usual  time,  but  could  not  sleep.  As  I  lay — 
whether  waking  or  sleeping  I  know  not — "  I  had  a  dream,"  yet  it  "  was  not 
all  a  dream."  (She  used  the  words  unconsciously,  of  the  poet,  who  was  not 
then  in  being.)  I  saw  distinctly  a  body  wrapped  in  my  husband's  guard- 
cloak,  bloody,  dead,  and  others  dead  and  wounded  on  the  ground  about  him. 
I  saw  them  plainly  and  distinctly.  I  uttered  a  cry  and  sprang  to  my  feet  on 
the  floor  ;  and  so  strong  was  the  impression  on  my  mind,  that  I  rushed  in 
the  direction  the  vision  appeared,  and  came  up  against  the  side  of  the  house. 
The  fire  in  the  room  gave  little  light,  and  I  gazed  in  every  direction  to  catch 
another  glimpse  of  the  scene.  I  raised  the  light ;  everything  was  still  and 
quiet.  My  child  was  sleeping,  but  my  woman  was  awakened  by  my  crying 
out,  or  jumping  on  the  floor.  If  ever  I  felt  fear  it  was  at  that  moment. 
Seated  on  the  bed,  I  reflected  a  few  moments  and  said  aloud  ;  *  I  must  go  to 
him.'  I  told  the  woman  I  could  not  sleep  and  would  ride  down  the  road. 
She  appeared  in  great  alarm  ;  but  I  merely  told  her  to  lock  the  door  after  me 
and  look  after  the  child.  I  went  to  the  stable,  saddled  my  mare,  as  fleet  and 
easy  a  nag  as  ever  traveled,  and  in  one  moment  I  was  tearing  down  the 
road  at  full  speed.  The  cool  night  seemed,  after  a  mile  or  two's  gallop,  to 
bring  reflection  with  it ;  and  I  asked  myself  where  I  was  going,  and  for  what 
purpose.  Again  and  again  I  was  tempted  to  turn  back  ;  but  I  was  soon  ten 
miles  from  home.  I  knew  the  general  route  our  little  army  expected  to  take, 
and  at  daybreak  I  was  thirty  miles  from  home,  and  had  followed  them  with- 
out hesitation.  About  sunrise,  I  came  upon  a  group  of  women  and  children, 
standing  and  sitting  by  the  roadside,  each  one  of  them  showing  the  same 
anxiety  of  mind  I  felt.  Stopping  a  few  minutes,  I  inquired  if  the  battle  had 
been  fought.  They  knew  nothing,  but  were  assembled  on  the  road  to  catch 
intelligence.  They  thought  Caswell  had  taken  the  right  of  the  Wilmington 
road  and  gone  towards  the  north-west  (Cape  Fear).  Again  was  I  skim- 
ming over  the  ground,  through  a  country  thinly  settled  and  very  poor 
and  swampy;  but  neither  my  own  spirits  nor  my  beautiful  nag's  failed 
in  the  least.  We  followed  the  well-marked  trail  of  the  troops.  The 
sun  must  have  been  well  up,  say  eight  or  nine  o'clock,  when  I  heard  a 
sound  like  thunder  which  I  knew  must  be  cannon.  It  was  the  first  time 
I  ever  heard  a  cannon.  I  stopped  still.  Presently  the  cannon  thundered 
again;  the  battle  was  then  fighting.  *  What  a  fool !'  thought  I,  '  my  husband 
could  not  be  dead  last  night,  and  the  battle  only  fighting  now  !  Still,  as  I 
am  so  near,  I  will  go  on  and  see  how  they  come  on  and  see  how  they  come 
out.'  So  away  we  went,  faster  than  ever,  and  soon  I  found  by  the  noise  of 
the  guns  that  I  was  near  the  fight.  Again  I  stopped  ;  I  could  hear  muskets, 
I  could  hear  rifles,  and  I  could  hear  shouting.  I  spoke  to  my  mare  and 
dashed  on  in  the  direction  of  the  firing  and  shouts,  now,  louder  than  ever. 
The  blind  path  I  had  been  following  brought  me  into  the  Wilmington  road 
leading  to  3Ioore's  Creek  Bridge,  a  few  hundred  yards  below  the  bridge. 
A  few  yards  from  the  road,  under  a  cluster  of  trees,  were  lying,  perhaps, 
twenty  men.  They  were  the  wounded.  I  knew  the  spot ;  the  very  trees ; 
and  the  position  of  the  men  I  knew,  as  if  I  had  seen  it  a  thousand  times.  I 
had  seen  it  in  my  dream  all  night !  I  saw  all  at  once ;  but,  in  an  instant, 
my  whole  soul  was  centered  in  one  spot ;  for  there,  wrapped  in  his  bloody 
guard-cloak,  was  my  husband's  body !  How  I  passed  the  few  yards  from  my 
sadiile  to  this  place  I  never  knew.  I  remember  uncovering  his  head  and 
seeing  a  face  clothed  with  gore  from  a  dreadful  wound  across  the  temple.  I 
put  my  hand  on  the  bloody  face ;  'twas  warm,  and  an  unknown  voice  begged 
for  tcater.  A  small  camp  kettle  was  lying  near,  and  a  stream  of  water  was 
close  by.  I  brought  it,  poured  some  into  his  mouth,  washed  his  face,  and 
behold  it  was  Frank  Cogdell !  He  soon  revived  and  could  speak.  I  was 
washing  the  wound  in  his  head.    Said  he,  '  It  is  not  that ;  it  is  that  hole  in  my 


WAYXE  COUNTY.  459 

?<?^  tlmi  is  killing  me.''  A  puddle  of  blood  Tvas  standing  on  the  ground  about 
his  feet.  I  took  his  knife,  cut  away  his  trousers  and  stocking,  and  found 
the  blood  came  from  a  shot  hole  through  and  through  the  fleshy  part  of  his 
les;.  I  looked  about  and  could  see  nothing  that  looked  as  if  it  would  do  for 
dressing  wounds  but  some  heart  leaves.  I  gathered  a  handful  and  bound 
them  tight  to  the  holes,  and  the  bleeding  stopped.  I  then  Avent  to  the  others, 
and,  doctor!  I  dressed  the  wounds  of  many  a  brave  fellow  who  did  good  fight- 
ing long  after  that  day.  I  had  not  inquired  for  my  husband  ;  but,  while  1 
was  busy,  Caswell  came  up.  He  appeared  very  much  surprised  to  see  me, 
and  was,  with  his  hat  in  hand,  about  to  pay  some  compliment  ;  but  I  inter- 
rupted him  by  asking  'Where  is  my  husband  ?'  'Where  he  ought  to  be, 
madam  ;  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  But  pray,'  said  he,  '  how  came  you  here-?' 
'  Oh,  I  thought,'  replied  I,  '  you  would  need  nurses  as  well  as  soldiers.  See ! 
I  have  dressed  many  of  these  good  fellows  :  and  here  is  one'  (going  to  Frank 
and  lifting  him  up  with  my  arm  under  his  head  so  that  he  could  drink  some 
more  water)  '  would  have  died  before  any  of  you  men  could  have  helped  him.' 
'  I  believe  you,'  said  Frank.  Just  then  I  looked  up  and  my  husband,  as 
bloody  as  a  butcher  and  as  muddy  as  a  ditcher,*  stood  before  me.  '  Why 
Mary !'  he  exclaimed,  '  what  are  you  doing  there  ?  Hugging  Frank  Cogdell, 
the  greatest  reprobate  in  the  army  ?'  '  1  don't  care,'  I  cried,  '  Frank  is  a 
brave  fellow,  a  good  soldier,  and  a  true  friend  to  Congress.'  '  True,  true, 
every  word  of  it,'  said  Caswell.  'You  are  right,  madam ;'  with  the  lowest 
possible  bow.  I  could  not  tell  my  husband  what  brought  me  there.  I  was 
so  happy,  and  so  were  all.  It  icas  a  glorious  victory ;  I  came  just  at  the 
height  of  the  enjoyment.  I  knew  my  husband  was  surprised,  but  I  could 
see  he  was  not  displeased  with  me.  It  was  night  again  before  our  excite- 
ment had  all  subsided.  Many  prisoners  were  brought  in,  and  among  them, 
some  very  obnoxious  :  but  the  worst  of  the  Tories  were  not  taken  prisoners. 
They  were,  for  the  most  part,  left  in  the  woods  and  swamps  wherever  they 
were  overtaken.  I  begged  for  some  of  the  poor  prisoners,  and  Caswell 
readily  told  me  none  should  be  hurt  but  such  as  had  been  guilty  of  murder 
or  house  burning.  In  the  middle  of  the  night  I  again  mounted  my  mare 
and  started  home.  Caswell  and  my  husband  wanted  me  to  stay  till  next 
morning  and  they  would  send  a  party  with  me  ;  but  no  !  I  wanted  to  see 
my  child,  and  told  them  they  could  send  no  party  who  could  keep  up  with 
me.  What  a  happy  ride  I  had  back!  and  with  what  joy  did  I  embrace  my 
child  as  he  ran  to  meet  mo !" 

When  the  British  marched  from  Wilmington  to  Virginia,  under  Lord 
Oornwallis,  in  1781,  Colonel  Slocumb's  farm  was  right  in  the  rear  of  their 
march.  One  beautiful  Spring  morning,  Colonel  Tarleton,  accompanied  by 
two  aides-de-camp  and  followed  by  a  guard,  dashed  up  to  the  piazza.  Colonel 
Slocumb  (then  Lieutenant)  was  from  home,  and  Mrs.  Slocumb,  with  her 
little  boy  and  a  near  female  relative  (afterwards  wife  of  ^lajor  Williams),  were 
sitting  in  the  piazza.  Colonel  Tarleton  informed  her  that  he  was  under  the 
necessity  of  taking  quarters  in  her  house,  in  a  tone  that  admitted  of  no  denial 
or  controversy.  His  legion,  consisting  of  neai'ly  two  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
and  many  others,  then  filled  the  avenue.  Their  tents  were  pitched  in  the 
orchard,  and  Tarleton  and  his  officers  occupied  the  house. 

Mrs.  Slocumb  with  cheerfulness  now  performed  the  duties  of  hospitality 
so  unceremoniously  forced  upon  her.  She  prepared  them  an  excellent  din- 
ner and  refreshments.  While  the  British  were  there,  the  repeated  and  rapid 
report  of  tire-arms  was  heard  in  the  distance.  A  contest  was  going  on  be- 
tween a  party  of  the  Americans  and  the  Tories.  This  startled  the  British ; 
but  in  a  few  moments  her  husband,  with  Charles  Hooks,  her  brother,  then 
about  thirteen,  and  others,  returned  home.  They  had  been  engaged  in  the 
skirmish  with  the  Tories,  and  had  nearly  reached  the  house  when  a  faithful 
slave  (Big  George),  who  had  been  posted  by  his  mistress,  w:u"ued  them  of 
their  peril.     Quick  as  thought  they  wheeled,  at  one  bound  cleared  the  garden 

*  It  was  his  company  that  forded  the  creek  and,  penetrating-  the  swamp,  made  the  tiiri. 
ous  charge  ou  the  British  left  and  rear,  which  decided  the  late  o(  the  day. 


460 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


fence,  and  leaped  the  next  amid  a  shower  of  balls  from  the  guards,  and  thus 
escaped. 

"  The  Dead  Men's  Field,"  to  this  day,  marks  the  spot  where  the  skirmish 
took  place. 

-The  British  returned  to  their  dinner  and  peach  brandy,  while  Slocumb  and 
his  companions  passed  around  the  plantation  where  the  skirmish  had  occur- 
red with  the  Tories  ;  and  there  he  found  the  brother  of  the  Tory  Captain 
hanging  by  a  bridle-rein  from  a  sapling  bent  down,  struggling  in  the  agonies 
of  death.  Slocumb  hastened  to  the  spot,  cut  the  rein  with  his  sword,  and 
with  much  difficulty  restored  him  to  life.  Many  in  this  county  recollect  an 
old  man  who  with  protruded  eyes  and  suifused  countenance  bore  evidence  of 
this  fearful  scene.     He  owed  his  life  and  liberty  to  his  generous  foe. 

When  the  British  army  moved,  the  encampment  was  broken  up  at  Mrs. 
Slocumb's,  and  she  saw  them  depart  with  tears  of  joy.  Her  husband  re- 
turned in  a  few  days  to  her  arms,  and  they  lived  to  see  the  independence  of 
their  country  established,  their  liberties  secured,  and  he  honored  by  the  free 
suffrages  of  his  fellow-citizens.  Their  son,  Jesse,  was  elected  a  member  of 
Congress  in  1817,  and  served  until  1821,  when  he  died  in  Congress,  and  was 
buried  at  Washington,  in  the  Congressional  burying  ground.  She  died  on 
the  Gth  of  March,  1836,  and  her  venerable  husband  a  few  years  afterwards. 
As  long  as  patriotism  is  cherished  or  virtue  honored,  so  long  shall  their 
memories  survive. 

Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Wayne  County,  from 
its  formation  to  the  last  session. 


Years. 

1780. 
1781. 
1782. 
1783. 
1784. 
1785. 
1786. 
1787. 
1788. 
1789. 
1790. 
1701. 
1792. 
1793. 
1794. 
1795. 
1796. 
1797. 
1798. 
1799. 
1800. 
1801. 
1802. 
1803. 
1804. 
1805. 
1806. 
1807. 
1808. 
1809. 
1810. 
1811. 
1812. 
1813. 


Senate. 


Burwell  Mooring, 
Bui-well  Mooring, 
Burwell  Mooring, 
Burwell  Mooring, 
Burwell  Mooring, 
Richard  McKinnie, 
Eichard  McKinnie, 
Burwell  Mooring, 
Bichard  McKinnie, 
Eichard  McKinnie, 
Eichard  McKinnie, 
Eichard  McKinnie, 
Eichard  McKinnie, 
Richard  McKinnie, 
Richard  McKinnie, 
Richard  McKinnie, 
Richard  McKinnie, 
Richard  Croom, 
Richard  Croom, 
John  C.  Pender, 
Needham  Whitfield, 
Richard  jMcKinnie, 
Richard  McKinnie, 
Richard  McKinnie, 
James  Rhodes, 
James  Rhodes, 
James  Rhodes, 
John  Davis, 
John  Davis, 
Barnabas  McKinnie, 
Barnabas  ^IcKinnie, 


House  of  Commons. 
Stephen  Cobb,  Burwell  Mooring. 
Joseph  Green,  Burwell  Mooring. 
Burwell  Mooring,  Richard  McKinnie. 
Richard  McKinnie,  Needham  Whitfield. 
William  Alford,  John  Handley. 
William  Taylor,  John  Ilandley. 
William  Taylor,  Richard  McKinnie. 
Richard  ]McKinnie,  William  Taylor. 
William  Taylor,  James  Handley. 
James  Handley,  Burwell  Mooring. 
John  Coor  Pender,  Richard  McKinnie. 
John  Coor  Pender,  Benjamin  Fort. 
John  Coor  Pender,  William  Taylor. 
John  Coor  Pender,  William  Taylor. 
William  Taylor,  John  Coor  Pender. 
John  Garland,  John  Coor  Pender. 
John  Garland,  Benjamin  Fort. 
John  Coor  Pender,  Richard  Croom. 
John  Coor  Pender,  Richard  Croom. 
Joseph  Everett,  Barnabas  McKinnie. 
Joseph  Everett,  Barnabas  McKinnie. 
Abram  Simons,  Ezekiel  Slocumb. 
William  Smith,  James  Rhodes. 
James  Rhodes,  William  Smith. 
James  Rhodes,  William  Smith. 
William  Smith,  James  Rhodes. 
James  Rhodes,  William  Smith. 
William  Smith,  James  Deans. 
William  Smith,  Ezekiel  Slocumb. 
William  Smith,  James  Deans. 
CuUen  Blackman,  James  Deans. 
Cullen  Blackman,  James  Deans. 
Joab  Newsom,  Ezekiel  Slocumb. 
Ezekiel  Slocumb,  Stephen  Cook. 


WILKES  COUNTY. 


461 


Years.  Senate. 

1814.  Barnabas  McKinnie, 

1815.  Barnabas  McKinnie, 

1816.  Barnabas  McKinnie,  Jr 

1817.  Barnabas  McKinnie, 

1818.  Michael  J.  Kennan, 

1819.  Barnabas  McKinnie, 

1821.  Ephraim  Daniel, 

1822.  Jethro  Howell, 

1823.  Richard  B.  Hatch, 

1824.  Gabriel  Sherard, 

1825.  Jethro  Howell, 

1826.  John  Wasden, 

1827.  Gabriel  Sherard, 

1828.  Gabriel  Sherard, 

1829.  Gabriel  Sherard, 

1830.  Gabriel  Sherard, 

1831.  Gabriel  Sherard, 

1832.  James  Rhodes, 

1833.  Gabriel  Sherard, 

1834.  Gabriel  Sherard, 

1835.  John  Exum, 

1836.  John  Exum, 
1838.  John  Exum, 
1840.  John  Exum, 
1842.  John  Exum, 
1844.  John  Exum, 
1846.  John  Exum, 
1848.  John  Exum, 

1850.  William  Thompson, 


House  of  Commons.  , 
Ezekiel  Slocumb,  J.  Cook. 
Ezekiel  Slocumb,  Stephen  Cook. 
Ezekiel  Slocumb,  Stephen  Cook. 
Stephen  Smith,  Ezekiel  Slocumb. 
Ezekiel  Slocumb,  Lewis  C.  Pender. 
Ephraim  Daniel,  Sampson  Lane. 
Joshua  Hastings,  Arthur  Barden. 
Joshua  Hastings,  Stephen  Smith. 
Joshua  Hastings,  Stephen  Smith. 
Philip  B.  Raiford,  Arthur  Barden. 
Philip  B.  Raiford,  John  Wasden. 
Philip  B.  Raiford,  Joshua  Hastings. 
Joshua  Hastings,  James  Rhodes. 
James  Rhodes,  John  W.  Sasser. 
James  Rhodes,  John  W.  Sasser. 
James  Rhodes,  John  W.  Sasser. 
John  W.  Sasser,  John  Broadhurst. 
John  B.  Hurst,  P.  S.  Cromwell. 
Culren  A.  Blackman,  P.  S.  Cromwell- 
Calviji  Coor,  William  B.  Frost.         ' 
Calvin  Coor,  Giles  Smith.   " 
Calvin  Coor,  Raiford  Whitney. 
Curtis  H.  Brogden,  Elias  Barnes. 
Curtis  H.  Brogden,  Elias  Barnes. 
Curtis  H.  Brogden,  Elias  Barnes. 
Curtis  H.  Brogden,  Elias  Barnes. 
Curtis  H.  Bi'ogden,  Elias  Barnes. 
•  Curtis  H.  Brogden,  -John  V.  Sherard. 
Curtis  11.  Brogden,  John  V.  Sherard. 


CHAPTER    LXXX. 


WILKES  COUNTY. 


Wilkes  County  was  formed  in  the  year '1777  from  Surryjand 
called  in  honor  of  John  Wilkes,  a  distinguished  English  statesman, 
and  member  of  Parliament.  He  was  ejected  by  the  ministerial 
party  from  Parliament  on  account  of  his  liberal  political  views; 
and  as  often  he  was  returned  by  the  people.     He  died  in  1797. 

Wilkes  County  is  situated  in  the  extreme  north-west  portion  of 
our  State ;  and  bounded  on  the-  north  by  the  Blue  Ridge,  which 
separates  it  from  Ashe  County;  east,  by  Surry;  south^,  by  Alex- 
ander; and  west,  by  Ashe  and  Watauga  Counties. 

Its  capital,  Wilkesboro',  is  one  hundred  and  seventy-two  miles 
north-west  of  Raleigh. 

Its  population  in  1850,  was  10,746  whites;  211  free  negroes  ;  1,142  slaves  ; 
11,642  representative  population. 

Its  products  in  1840,  was  463,793  bushels  of  corn ;  64,210  bushels  of  oats  ; 
30,268  bushels  of  wheat ;  24,567  pounlls  of  tobacco;  12,468  pounds  of  cotton ; 
19,634  pounds  of  wool. 


4G2  HISTORY  OF  XORTH  CAROLIXA. 

Gov.  MoxTFORD  Stokes,  long  a  resident  of  this  County,  was  born  about  17G0 ; 
he  entered  the  revolutionary  army,  was  taken  prisoner  near  Norfolk  in  1776, 
and  was  confined  for  seven  months  on  board  a  prison  ship. 

For  a  number  of  years  he  was  Clerk  of  Rowan  Superior  Court,  and  Clerk 
of  the  Senate,  where  he  enjoyed  such  popularity  as  to  be  elected  Senator  in 
Congress,  which,  at  the  time,  he  declined. 

In  1816,  he  was  again  elected  Senator  in  Congress,  and  served  until  1823. 

In  1826,  he  was  elected  Senator  in  the  General  Assembly,  and  in  1829,  a 
member  of  the  House  of  Commons  from  Wilkes  County,  and  again  in  1830, 
when  he  was  elected  Governor  of  the  State. 

In  1831,  he  was  appointed,  by  General  Jackson,  Indian  Agent  in  Arkansas, 
where  he  removed,  and  lived  until  his  death  in  1842. 

On  the  17th  of  December,  1842,  Hon.  D.  M.  Barringer  (our  present  Envoy 
to  Spain),  introduced  the  following  resolution: — 

"  Whereas,  the  House  of  Commons  have,  heard  ivith  regret  of  the  death  of  Ex- 
Governor  Montford  Stokes,  tohose  life  has  been  connected  with,  for  more  than  half 
a  century,  the  history  of  North  Carolina,  and  has  occupied  many  distinguished 
stations  in  her  gift.  Therefore  resolved  xinanimously — 

"  That  as  a  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  Montford  Stokes,  this  House  do 
now  adjourn  until  Monday  morning,  ten  o'clock." 

Governor  Stokes  married  Mary,  the  daughter  of  Colonel  Henry  Irwin,  of 
Edgecombe,  who  fell  at  Germantjwn  1777  (see  Edgecombe),  by  which  mar- 
riage he  had  several  children.  Of  these,  is  Major  Montfort  S.  Stokes,  now 
of  Wilkes  County.  Major  Stokes  was  appointed  Major  of  the  North  Carolina 
Regiment  in  the  late  war  with  Mexico.  His  conduct  was  so  acceptable  to  his 
regiment,  that  on  their  return  they  voted  and  presented  to  him  a  splendid  , 
sword.     He  is  now  one  of  the  Councillors  of  State. 

Colonel  Benjamin  Cleaveland,  the  hero  of  King's  JMountain,  and  after 
whom  Cleaveland  County  is  called,  lived  and  died  in  Wilkes  County.  He 
was  a  brave  and  meritorious  ofiicer.  A  serious  impediment  in  his  «peech 
prevented  his  ever  entering  political  life.  He  was,  in  1775,  appointed  an 
ensign  in  2d  Regiment  of  troops,  and  served  at  King's  Mountain  and  the 
battle  of  Guilford  Court  House,  and  the  hero  of  a  hundred  fights  with  the 
Tories.  He  was  the  Surveyor  of  Wilkes,  and  lived  at  the  place  where  Little 
Hickerson  now  resides;  some  incidents  of  his  life,  his  dangers,  and  daring 
conduct,  are  recorded  under  Watauga,  their  scene  of  action. 

General  William  Lenoir  resided  in  Wilkes  County. 
His  life,  character,  and  services  have  been  recorded  by  an  able  and  fami- 
liar hand. 

The  following  is  extracted  from  the  Ealeigh  Register  of  June  22d,  1839 : — 

This  venerable  patriot  and  soldier  died  at  his  residence  at  Fort  Defiance, 
in  Wilkes  County,  on  Monday,  the  6th  of  May,  1839,  aged  eighty-eight  years. 
Perhaps  no  individual  now  remains  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  who  bore 
a  more  distinguished  part  during  our  Revolutionary  struggle,  or  who  was 
more  closely  identified  with  the  early  history  of  our  government,  than  the 
venerable  man  whose  history  and  public  services  it  is  our  purpose  to  sketch. 

General  Lenoir  was  born  in  Brunswick  County,  Va.,  on  the  20th  of  May, 
1751,  0.  S.,  and  was  descended  from  poor  but  respectable  French  ancestry. 
He  was  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  ten  children.  When  about  eight  years 
old  his  father  removed  to  Tar  River,  near  Tarboro',  N.  C,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,  which  happened  shortly  after.  The  opportunities  of  obtain- 
ing even  an  ordinary  English  education,  at  that  day,  were  extremely  limited, 
and  General  Lenoir  received  no  other  than  such  as  his  own  personal  exertions 
permitted  him  to  acquire  after  his  father's  death.  When  about  twenty  years 
of  age  he  was  married  to  Ann  Ballard,  of  Halifax,  N.  C. — a  lady  possessing 
in  an  eminent  degree  those  domestic  and  heroic  virtiies  which  qualified  her 
for  sustaining  the  privations  and  hardships  of  a  frontier  life,  which  it  was 
her  destiny  afterwards  to  encounter. 


WILKES  COUNTY. 


463 


In  ^larch,  1775,  Gen.  L.  removed  ^vlth  his  family  to  the  County  of  Wilkes 
(then  a  portion  of  Surry),  and  settled  near  the  place  where  the  village  of 
Wilkesboro'  now  stands.     Previous  to   his   leaving   Halifax,   however,   he 
sio-ned  what  was  then  familiarly  called  "  The  Association  Paper,''  which 
colitained  a  declaration  of  the  sentiments  of  the  people  of  the  Colonies  m 
regard  to  the  relations  existing  between  them  and  the  crown  of  Great  Britain, 
and  which  their  scattered  condition  rendered  it  necessary  to  circulate  for 
sio-natures,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  wishes  and  determination  of  the  people. 
Soon  after  his  removal  to  Surry,  he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  Commit- 
tee of  Safety  for  that  county,  and  continued  to  discharge  his  duty  as  such, 
and  as  clerk  to  the  Committee,  until  their  authority  was  superseded  by  the 
adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  the  State.     On  the  commencement^  of  hos- 
tilities with  Great  Britain,  Gen.  L.  very  early  took  a  decided  and  active  part. 
It  is  well  known  to  all  those  acquainted  with  the  history  of  the  times,  that 
about  the  beginning  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the   Cherokee  Indians 
were  exceedingly  annoying  and  troublesome  to  the  white  settlements  in  the 
western  part  of  North  Carolina.     The  Whigs,  therefore,  in  that  section  of 
the  country,  were  obliged  at  the  very  outset  to  be  constantly  on  the  alert— they 
were  frequently  called  on  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning,  in  small  detach- 
ments, in  pursuit  of  marauding  bands  of  Indians,  in  the  hope  of  chastising 
them  for  depredations  committed  on  the  settlements— they  were  also  com- 
pelled to  keep  up  scouting  and  ranging  parties,  and  to  station  guards  at  the 
most  accessible  passes  in  the  mountains.    In  this  service  Gen.  L.bore  a  con- 
spicuous part,  which  was  continued  until  the'  celebrated  expedition  of  Gen. 
Rutherford  and  Gen.  Williamson  in  1776,  put  an  end  to  the  difficulties  with 
the  Cherokees.     In  this  expedition  Gen.  L.  served  as  a  lieutenant  under  the 
distinguished  Col.  Cleaveland,  who  was  then  a  captain,  and  frequently  has  he 
been  heard  to  recount  the  many  hardships  and  sufferings  which  they  had  to 
undergo.     They  were  often  entirely  destitute  of  provisions— there  was  not 
a  tent'^of  any  kind  in  the  whole  army— very  few  blankets,  and  those  only 
such  as  could  be  spared  from  their  houses  for  the  occasion,  and  their  clothing 
consisted  principally  of  rude  cloth  made  from  hemp,  tow,  and  wild  nettle- 
bark— and  as  a  sample  of  the  uniform  worn  by  the  General  officers,  it  may 
be  mentioned  that  Gen.  Rutherford's  consisted  of  a  tow  hunting-shirt,  dyed 
black,  and  trimmed  with  white  fringe.     From  the  termination  of  this  cam- 
paign, until  the  commencement  of  the  one  projected  against  the  British  and 
Tories  under  Major  Ferguson,  Gen.  Lenoir  %vas  almost  constantly  engaged 
in  capturing  and"  suppressing  the  Tories,  who,  at  that  time,  were  assuming 
great  confidence  and  exhibiting  much  boldness.     Indeed,  such  was  the  cha- 
racter of  the  times,  that  the  Whigs  considered  themselves,  their  famihes  and 
property  in  continual  and  imminent  danger.     No  man  ventured  from  home 
without  his  rifle,  and  no  one,  unless  his  character  was  well_  known,  was  per- 
mitted to  travel  without  undergoing  the  strictest  examination.     Gen.  L.  has 
frequently  been  heard  to  say  that,  owing  to  his  perilous  situation,  he  has 
often  been  compelled  on  retiring  at  night,  to  place  his  rifle  on  one  side  of  him 
in  bed,  while  his  wife  occupied  the  other.     In  the  expedition  to  King  s 
Mountain  he  held  the  appointment  of  captain  in  Col.  Cleaveland's  regiment, 
but  on  ascertaining  that  it  would  be  impossible  for  the  footmen  to  reach  the 
desired  point  in  time,  it  was  determined  by  a  council  of  officers  that  all  who 
had  horses,  or  could  procure  them,  should  advance  forthwith.     Accordingly 
Gen.  Lenoir  and  his  company  officers  volunteered  their  services  as  privates, 
and  proceeded  with  the  horsemen  by  a  severe  forced  march  to  the  scene  ot 
action.     In  the  brilliant  achievement  on  King's  Mountain  he  was  wounded 
in  the  arm,  and  also  in  the  side,  though  not  severely— and  a  third  ball  passed 
through  his  hair,  just  above  where  it  was  tied.     He  was  also  at  the  deteat  ot 
the  celebrated  Tory,  Col.  Pyles,  near  Haw  River,  and  in  this  engagement  had 
his  horse  shot  and  his  sword  broken.     He  also  raised  a  company  and  marclied 
towards  Dan  River,  with  the  hope  of  joining  Gen.  Greene,  previous  to  the 
battle  of  Guilford,  but  was  unable  to  effect  a  junction  m  time      Many  other 
services  of  a  minor  character  were  performed  by  him,  which  it  would  De 
tedious  to  enumerate.     In  the  militia  of  the  State  he  was  also  an  active  and 


464  HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

efficient  officer,  having  passed  through  different  grades,  from  that  of  an  Orderly 
Sergeant  to  a  Major-General,  in  which  latter  office  he  served  for  about 
eighteen  years.  In  a  civil  capacity  also  Gen.  L.  discharged  many  high  and 
responsible  duties.  He  was  appointed  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  by  the  Con- 
vention which  met  to  form  the  State  Constitution,  and  was  reappointed  by  the 
first  General  Assembly  which  met  under  its  authority.  He  continued  to  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  this  office  until  his  death,  with  the  exception  of  a  tem- 
porary suspension  of  about  two  years,  whilst  he  acted  as  clerk  of  the  County 
Court  of  Wilkes.  It  is,  therefore,  more  than  probable  that  at  the  time  he 
died  he  was  the  oldest  magistrate  in  the  State,  or  perhaps  in  the  United 
States.  He  also  filled  at  different  periods  the  various  offices  of  Register, 
Surveyor,  Commissioner  of  Affidavits,  Chairman  of  the  County  Court,  and 
Clerk"of  the  Superior  Court  for  the  County  of  Wilkes.  He  was  one  of  the 
original  trustees  of  the  University  of  N.  C,  and  was  the  first  President  of 
the  Board.  He  served  many  years  in  both  branches  of  the  State  Legislature, 
embracing  nearly  the  whole  period  of  our  early  legislative  history,  and 
during  the  last  five  years  of  his  service  in  the  Senate  was  unanimously 
chosen  Speaker  of  that  body.  It  may  also  be  remarked  that  he  performed 
the  duties  of  that  important  station  with  as  much  general  satisfaction,  pro- 
bably, as  was  ever  given  by  the  presiding  officer  of  any  deliberative  assembly. 
He  was  for  several  years  elected  a  member  of  the  Council  of  State,  and  when 
convened  was  chosen  President  of  the  Board.  He  was  also  a  member  of  both 
the  State  Conventions,  which  met  for  the  purpose  of  comsidering  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States ;  and  in  the  discussion  of  those  bodies  he  took 
an.  active  and  distinguished  part — insisting  strenuously  on  the  adoption  of 
the  amendments  proposed  to  the  Constitution,  and  guarding  with  great 
jealousy  the  rights  of  the  States.  Owing  to  the  difficulties  which  existed 
among  the  States  in  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution,  an  opinion 
prevailed  that  another  General  Convention  would  be  called  to  revise  and 
amend  it.  The  Convention  of  North  Carolina,  acting  upon  this  supposition, 
proceeded  to  elect  five  delegates  to  represent  the  State  in  the  proposed 
General  Convention,  of  which  number  General  Lenoir  was  one.  It  is  also 
in  honor  of  him  that  the  I'espectable  County  of  Lenoir  bears  its  name. 

These,  together  with  many  other  seiwices  of  a  minor  character,  though 
important  in  themselves,  or  in  furtherance  of  the  due  execution  of  the  law, 
constitute  the  sum  of  that  portion  of  the  public  burdens  which  has  been  borne 
by  this  venerable  man,  for  many  of  Avhich  he  declined  to  receive  any  compen- 
sation. Those  who  knew  Gen.  L.  will  readily  concur  in  the  opinion  that  it  is 
questionable  whether  any  man  ever  performed  a  public  duty  with  a  more  punc- 
tilious regard  to  the  promotion  of  the  public  welfare,  or  in  more  strict  accord- 
ance with  the  requirements  of  the  authority  under  which  he  acted. 

For  the  last  several  years  of  his  life,  he  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  read- 
ing and  reflection  on  public  affairs,  and  manifested  great  concern,  and 
expressed  much  apprehension,  lest,  from  the  signs  of  the  times,  our  inesti- 
mable government,  which  cost  so  much  blood  and  treasure,  hardship  and 
suffering,  was  destined,  at  no  distant  period,  to  share  the  fate  of  the  repub- 
lics of  other  days.  Indeed,  so  great  were  his  fears  on  this  subject,  that  it 
was  a  source  of  real  disquietude  and  unhappiness  to  him. 

In  private  life.  General  L.  was  no  less  distinguished  for  his  moral  worth 
and  generous  hospitality  than  in  public  life  for  his  unbending  integrity, 
firmness  and  patriotism.  His  mansion  was  open  at  all  times,  not  only  to  a 
large  and  extensive  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances,  but  to  the  stranger 
and  traveler.  Although  he  lived  for  many  years  upon  a  public  highway, 
and  received  and  entertained  all  persons  who  chose  to  call  upon  him,  he  was 
never  known  in  a  single  instance  to  make  a  charge,  or  receive  compensation 
for  accommodations  thus  furnished. 

In  his  manners  and  habits  of  life  he  was  plain  and  unostentatious.  Stea- 
dily acting  himself  upon  principles  of  temperance  and  frugality  in  all  things, 
he  endeavored,  both  by  example  and  precept,  to  inculcate  similar  principles 
upon  others.  To  the  poor  he  was  kind  and  charitable,  and  by  his  will  made 
liberal  provision  for  those  of  his  own  neighborhood.    He  had  long  enjoyed 


WILKES  COUNTY.  465 

almost  uninterrupted  health,  which  he  was  careful  to  preserve  by  moderate 
but  almost  constant  exercise  either  on  horseback  or  in  his  workshop,  of 
which  he  was  very  fond.  As  evidence  of  his  physical  ability,  it  may  be 
mentioned  that  he  attended  the  Superior  Court  of  Ashe  County,  a  distance 
of  more  than  fifty  miles  from  his  residence,  traveling  the  whole  distance  on 
horseback,  and  crossing  the  Blue  Ridge,  and  also  attended  the  Court  of  his 
own  County,  a  distance  of  twenty-four  miles,  not  more  than  three  weeks 
before  his  death.  During  his  last  illness  he  suffered  much  pain,  and  often 
expressed  a  desire  that  the  Supreme  Disposer  of  all  things  would  terminate 
his  sufferings.  He  often  said  "  Death  had  no  terrors  for  him — he  did  not 
fear  to  die."  His  remains  were  intei-red  in  the  family  burying-ground,  which 
occupies  the  spot  where  Fort  Defiance  was  ei-ected  during  the  Revolutionary 
War.  S.  F.  P. 

Hon.  Anderson  Mitchell  resides  in  this  County.  He  was  born  in  Caswell 
County  in  1800,  educated  by  Mr.  Bingham,  in  Orange,  and  finished  at  the 
University,  at  which  he  graduated  in  1821,  and  read  law  with  George  Hen- 
derson, in  Granville, 

He  removed  to  Wilkes,  and  in  1840  represented  this  county  in  the  Senate 
of  the  State  Legislature. 

In  1842  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress,  and  served  until  1843.  He 
now  resides  in  Wilkesboro',  and  finds,  like  Titian,  the  law  is  so  jealous  a  mis- 
tress, that  she  allows  no  rival  in  her  affections.  She  has  never  allowed  him 
to  marry,  and  has  made  him  quit  politics. 

That  celebrated  lusus  naturcB,  the  Siamese  Twins,  Chang  and  Eng,  reside 
in  this  County.  After  wandering  over  the  whole  globe,  they  have  sought  the 
quiet  glens  of  Wilkes  County  as  the  loveliest  spot  for  retirement  and  repose. 

The  twins  were  born  in  May,  1811,  at  Maklong,  in  Siam. 

In  1829  they  left  their  country  for  America,  and  since  which  they  have 
traveled  over  the  whole  of  this  continent,  England,  Fi-ance,  and  other  coun- 
tries, exciting  the  admiration  of  the  crowd,  and  the  investigations  of  the 
scientific  Sir  Astley  Cooper,  of  London,  Dr.  Samuel  L.  Mitchell,  of  New 
York,  and  others,  who  have  reported  upon  this  singular  phenomenon  in  the 
natural  world. 

They  are  united  together  as  one  by  an  ensiform  cartilage  from  the  side. 
The  blood-vessels  and  nerves  of  each  communicate.  There  seems  to  be  a 
perfect  sympathy,  for  when  one  is  sick  so  is  tiie  other;  they  go  to  sleep  at  the 
same  moment,  and  wake  at  the  same.  So  when  Chang  dies,  Eng  may  make 
his  will.  ."^ 

They  are  wealthy,  well  settled,  both  happily  married,  and  have  interesting 
families  around  them. 

Members  of  the   General  Assembly  from  Wilkes  County,  from 
1778  to  1850-51.  / 

Years.  Senate.  House  of  Commons. 

1778.  Benjamin  Cleaveland,  Elisha  Isaacs. 

1779.  Benj.  Cleaveland,        Benjamin  Thornton,  Elisha  Isaacs. 

1781.  Charles  Gordon,  Joseph  Herndon,  AVilliam  Lenoir. 

1782.  Elijah  Isaacs,  William  Lenoir,  Joseph  Herndon. 

1783.  Elijah  Isaacs,  Benjamin  Herndon,  William  Lenoir. 

1784.  Elijah  Isaacs,  Benjamin  Herndon,  Jesse  Franklin. 

1785.  Benjamin  Herndon,  Jesse  Franklin,  Wm.  T.  Lewis. 

1786.  Benjamin  Herndon,  Jesse  Franklin,  John  Brown. 

1787.  William  Lenoir,  Jesse  Franklin,  John  Brown. 

1788.  William  Lenoir,  John  Brown,  Joseph  Herndon. 

1791.  William  Lenoir,  Jesse  Franklin,  Benjamin  Jones. 

1792.  William  Lenoir,  Jesse  Franklin,  Benjamin  Jones. 

1793.  William  Lenoir,  Richard  Allen,  Joseph  Herndon. 

1794.  William  Lenoir,  Benjamin  Jones,  Theophilus  Evans. 


466 


HISTORY  OP  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Years.  Senate. 

1795.  William  Lenoir, 

1796.  James  Wellborn, 

1797.  James  Wellborn, 

1798.  James  Wellborn, 

1799.  James  Wellborn, 

1800.  James  Wellborn, 

1801.  James  Wellborn, 

1802.  James  Wellborn, 

1803.  James  Wellborn, 

1804.  James  Wellborn, 

1805.  James  Wellborn, 

1806.  James  Wellborn, 
180.7.  James  Wellborn, 

1808.  James  Wellborn, 

1809.  James  Wellborn, 

1810.  James  Wellborn, 

1811.  James  Wellborn, 

1812.  James  Waugh, 

1813.  James  Waugh, 

1814.  AVm.  Hulme, 

1815.  AVm.  Hulme, 

1816.  Wm.  Hulme, 

1817.  James  Wellborn, 

1818.  James  Wellborn, 

1819.  James  Wellborn, 

1820.  James  Wellborn, 

1821.  James  Wellborn, 

1822.  Edmund  Jones, 

1823.  James  Wellborn, 

1824.  James  Wellborn, 

1825.  Edmund  Jones, 

1826.  Montford  Stokes, 

1827.  Edmund  Jones, 

1828.  James  Wellborn, 

1829.  James  Wellborn, 

1830.  Edmund  Jones, 

1831.  John  Martin. 

1832.  James  Wellborn, 

1833.  Edmund  Jones, 

1834.  James  Wellborn, 

1835.  James  Wellborn, 

1836.  Edmund  Jones, 
1838.  Edmund  Jones, 
1840.  Anderson  Mitchell, 
1842.  Edmund  W.  Jones, 
1844.  A.  B.  McMillan, 
1S46.  A.  B.  McMillan, 
1848.  George  Bower, 
1850.  George  Bower, 


House  of  Commons. 
Jesse  Robinett,  David  Witherspoon. 
David  Witherspoon,  Jesse  Robinett. 
Jesse  Robinett,  James  Burgarner. 
Jesse  Robinett,  Edmund  Jones. 
Jesse  Robinett,  George  Koonce. 
Andrew  Erwin,  William  Hulme. 
William  Hulme,  Andrew  Erwin. 
Edmund  Jones,  William  Hulme. 
Robert  Martin,  Edmund  Jones. 
Edmund  Jones,  William  Hulme. 
Edmund  Jones,  William  Hulme. 
William  Hulme,  John  Martin. 
William  Hulme,  Edmund  Jones. 
William  Huime,  Edmund  Jones. 
Edmund  Jones,  Benjamin  Parks. 
Edmund  Jones,  William  Hulme. 
Jesse  Allen,  Edmund  Jones. 
Edmund  Jones,  Jesse  Allen. 
John  Martin,  Wm.  Davenport. 
Jesse  Allen,  John  Saintclair. 
Jesse  Allen,  John  Saintclair. 
John  Saintclair,  Jesse  Allen. 
John  Saintclair,  John  Witherspoon. 
John  Saintclair,  John  Witherspoon. 
H.  M.  Stokes,  Nathaniel  Gordon. 
William  Hampton,  John  Isbell. 
John  Isbell,  Nathaniel  Gordon. 
William  Horton,  Nathaniel  Gordon. 
Nathaniel  Gordon,  William  Horton. 
William  Miller,  Thomas  W.  Wilson. 
Thomas  W.  Wilson,  Nathaniel  Gordon. 
Nathaniel  Gordon,  John  Saintclair. 
Malachi  Roberts,  Nathaniel  Gordon. 
John  Saintclair,  Nathaniel  Gordon. 
William  Horton,  Montfort  Stokes. 
William  Horton,  Montfort  Stokes. 
Eli  Petty,  William  C.  Emmett. 
William  C.  Emmett,  John  Sinclair. 
Benjamin  F.  Martin,  William  Horton. 
William  Horton,  Benjamin  F.  Martin. 
William  Horton,  John  Watts. 
William  Horton.  Eli  Petty. 
Eli  Petty,  William  W.  Peden. 
John  J.  Bryan,  David  Gray. 
Robert  J.  Steel,  John  J.  Bryan. 

J.  J.  Gambill, Church. 

James  Welborn,  J.  J.  Gambill. 
L.  B.  Carmichael,  J.  J.  Gambill. 
J.  B.  Gordon,  A.  M.  Forster. 


YADKIN  AND  YANCEY  COUNTIES.  467 


CHAPTER   LXXXL 


YADKIN  COUNTY. 


Yadkin  County  was  formed  in  1850-51,  from  the  soutliern 
portion  of  Smny,  and  derives  its  name  from  tlie  river  Avhich  runs 
through  it. 

It  is  situated  in  the  north-western  part  of  the  State,  and  bounded 
on  the  north  by  Surry,  east  by  Forsythe,  south  by  Davie  and  Alex- 
ander, and  west  by  Wilkes. 

It  being  so- recently  formed,  is  not  yet  organized  ;  but  will  con- 
tinue to  vote  with  Surry  until  after  the  next  election  (1852),  when 
it  will  have  a  distinct  and  separate  representation. 

Its  capital  is  called  Wilson,  in  honor  of  Louis  D,  Wilson,  late 
of  Edgecombe,  for  whose  life  and  services,  see  Chapter  XXVIII. 


CHAPTER   LXXXII, 


YANCEY  COUNTY. 


Yancey  County  was  formed  in  1833,  from  Burke  and  Buncombe, 
and  called  in  honor  of  Hon.  Bartlett  Yancey,  for  whose  biography 
see  Caswell,  Chapter  XV. 

It  is  an  extreme  western  county,  bounded  on  the  north  by  the 
Iron  Mountains,  which  separate  it  from  Tennessee ;  west  by  the 
Blue  Ridge,  which  separates  it  from  Burke  and  McDowell,  south 
by  Buncombe,  and  west  by  Madison  County. 

Its  population  (1850),  7,809  whites ;  50  free  negroes;  346  slaves;  8,086 
representative  population. 

Its  products  (1S40),  405,390  bushels  corn  ;  33,670  bushels  oats  ;  6,320  bush- 
els wheat ;  2,848  bushels  rye  ;  4,830  lbs.  tobacco ;  2,931  lbs.  wool. 

Its  capital  is  Burnsville,  and  called  in  honor  of  Captain  Otway 

Burns,  who  resided  at  Beaufort,  Carteret  County. 

Capt.  Burns  was  a  brave  old  sailor  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  commanded 
a  privateer  called  "  The  Snap-dragox,"  which  did  much  mischief  to  the 
British,  and  was  in  several  severe  engagements.  Captain  Burns  was  often 
in  the  General  Assembly,  from  Carteret,  from  1822  to  1834,  and  was  a  mem- 
ber when  this  County  was  established. 


468 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


He  was  keeper  of  the  Lightrhouse  in  1836,  and  died  in  August,  1850. 
Members  of  the  General  Assembly  from  Yancey  County. 


Years.  Senate. 

1834.  Thomas  Baker, 

1835.  Thomas  Baker, 

1836.  Themas  Baker, 
1838.  Ttfbmas  Baker, 
1840.  Burgess  S.  Gaither, 
1842.  AlneyBurgen, 
1844.  N.  W.  Woodfin, 
1846.  N.  AV.  Woodfin, 
1848.  N.  ^V.  Woodfin, 
1850.  N.  W.  Woodfin, 


House  of  Commons. 
Tilman  Blalock,  Wm.  Dayton. 
]May  Jervis,  Samuel  Byrd. 
Samuel  Byrd. 
Tilman  Blalock. 
Samuel  Fleming. 
Samuel  Byrd. 
Samuel  Fleming. 
Samuel  Fleming. 
Calvin  Edney. 
Samuel  Fleming. 


CONCLUSION. 

I  have  done.  I  have  finished  my  work.  I  am  conscious  that 
it  contains  errors,  omissions,  and  imperfections.  These  will  be  in 
time  discovered  and  corrected. 

I  cannot  say  with  Ovid — 

"  Jamque  opus  exegi,  quod  nee  Jovis  ira  nee  ir/nes, 
Nee  poturit  ferrum,  nee  edax  aholere  vetustas."* 

But  I  can  trust  to  the  indulgence  of  my  countrymen.  I  hope 
that  they  will  see  and  appreciate  the  labor  I  have  faithfully  and 
cheerfully  encountered,  and  that  they  will  read  and  study  the 
materials  I  have  here  collected. 

To  North  Carolina,  in  whose  borders  I  was  born,  and  in  whose 
territory  the  bones  of  my  ancestors  for  two  generations  are  depo- 
sited, and  who  has  honored  me  with  her  confidence,  I  feel  the  duty 
of  a  citizen  and  all  the  affection  of  a  son. 

In  my  studies  at  school  and  in  the  pursuits  of  manhood,  I  have 
sought  anxiously  for  her  history.     But  I  have  sought  in  vain. 

Our  young  men  at  college  can  tell  us  about  the  histories 
of  Greece  and  Rome,  and  England  and  France  ;  yet  if  you  ask 
our  most  practised  statesman  about  North  Carolina,  he  may  not 
be  able  to  tell  you  how  many  counties  t|ie  State  has,  and  perhaps 
not  know  the  date  of  formation  or  origin  of  his  own. 

This  is  similar  to  that  philanthropy  which  is  ready  to  send  food 
to  the  suffering  heathen,  while  our  own  household  arc  crying  for 
bread. 

Of  the  History  of  North  Carolina,  full  of  deep  interest  and  pa- 
triotism, but  little  is  known  within  her  own  borders,  and  nothing 
out  of  them. 

I  have  proven  that  North  Carolina  was  the  first  State  of  "  the 
Old  Thirteen,"  on  which  the  English  landed.  That  here  (on 
Roanoake  Island,  1584)  was  the  cradle  in  which  this  infant  Empire 
was  rocked,  whose  gigantic  limbs  now  stretch  from  the  Atlantic  to 
the  Pacific.  I  have  shown  that  in  the  borders  of  North  Carolina 
the  blood  of  the  colonists  first  flowed  for  liberty,  (at  Alamance, 
May,  1771,)  and  no  doubt  now  exists  that  her  sons  at  Charlotte 
in  May,  1775,  were  the  first  to  throw  off  the  yoke  of  English  op- 
pression. 

I  have  shown  the  valor  of  her  sons,  and  recorded  the  purity 
and  patriotism  of  her  daughters. 

Free  from  the  shackles  of  j^ar^/esand  sect8, 1  have  tried  to  divest 

*  I  have  now  completed  a  work  which  neither  the  anger  of  Jove,  nor  fire, 
nor  the  sword,  nor  the  corroding  tooth  of  time  shall  bo  able  to  destroy. 


470  CONCLUSION. 

myself  of  all  partialities  or  prejudice  ;  and  present  lier  and  lier 
sons  as  CromTvxU  would  have  Lely  to  paint  his  portrait,  "  True, 
as  it  is." 

Yet  after  all  much  remains  yet  to  be  done.  I  feel,  like  Newton, 
"  that  I  have  been  but  as  a  boy  playing  on  the  beach  with  pebbles, 
while  the  great  ocean  of  truth  lay  undiscovered  before  me."  It 
is  to  be  hoped  that  some  future  hand,  with  bolder  heart,  more  ad- 
venturous spirit,  and  more  gifted  intellect,  will  enter  this  brilliant 
career,  and  'achieve  for  himself  and  her  honor  the  bright  rewards 
her  history  presents. 

And  yet  it  is  believed,  that  in  the  attempt  here  made,  the 
kind  and  attentive  reader  of  these  sketches  will  say  that  on  this 
beach  of  time  some 

"  Gems  of  purest  ray  serene" 

are  discovered,  that  had  nearly  been  covered  by  the  waves  of  ob- 
livion. 

To  some  an  objection  may  be  that  this  work  is  chiefly  a  compi- 
lation from  records,  authorities,  and  tradition.  If  admitted,  this 
should  not  detract  from  its  merit.  The  honey  of  the  bee  is  not 
less  prized  because  by  diligence  and  labor  it  has  been 

"  Tolled  from  the  scattered  sweets  of  nature." 

His  work  now  launches  on  the  uncertain  sea  of  public  favor. 
It  may  seem  temerity  (not  to  use  a  harsher  term),  in  one  so  little 
known  in  the  republic  of  letters  to  attempt  so  hazardous  a  voyage, 
and  his  barque  may  meet  with  adverse  winds  and  unfriendly  gales. 

But  to  drop  all  metaphor  and  speak  plain,  he  can  only  say  to 
those  who  may  feel  disposed  to  find  fault,  or  criticise  this  work ; 
that  when  this  disposition  may  arise,  instead  of  attacking  these 
labors,  take  and  examine  them  carefully,  and  improve  on  them  for 
the  benefit  of  North  Carolina. 

With  a  heart  glowing  with  State  pride,  spend  (as  the  author  of 
these  sketches  has)  ten  years  of  the  meridian  of  life  in  collecting 
and  collating  materials  of  her  history,  procure  from  home  and 
abroad  every  author  or  authority  which  presents  a  line  in  her  his- 
tory, from  Amidas  and  Barlow  (in  1584)  and  Lawson  (in  1714),  to 
the  latest  ephemeral  notice  in  the  newspapers  of  the  day ;  examine 
the  records  of  the  offices  of  the  Board  of  Trade  in  the  mother 
country,  and  our  own  archives  at  home  ;  correspond  with  some 
intelligent  individual  in  every  section  of  North  Carolina  ;  traverse 
every  county,  from  Currituck  to  Cherokee,  and  then  improve  upon 
the  labors  here  shown. 

No  one  will  more  heartily  welcome  their  work  to  the  public,  and 
none  rejoice  more  sincerely  in  their  success  than 

THE  AUTHOR. 


INDEX. 


Abbot,  Henry  (Pasquotank),  i.  78,  86 
Abercrombie,  Robert  (Orange),  i.  81 
Abernathy,  Robert  (Tryon),  i.  86 
Alamance,  Battle  of,  i.59.    Official  account 

of,  ii.  16 
Albemarle  (George,  Duke  of),  i.  30  ;  ii.  89 
Alderson,  Wm.  Hyde,  i.  80 
Alexander,  Robert  (Tryon),  i.  66 
,  Abraham  (i6.)>  chairman  of  Con- 
vention at  Charlotte,  May  '75, 
i.  69;   ii.267 

' ,  John   Mclvnitt  (Mecklenburg), 

i.  69,  78 

,  Ezra  {ib.),  i.  70 

,  George  A.  {ib.),  i.  89 

,  Hezekiah  (ib.),  i.  70,  74,  79,  82, 

85 

,  Adam  (ib.),  i.  70,  74,  81 

,  Charles  {ib.),  i.  70 

-,  Wm.  Julius  {ib.),  ii.  267 


Allen,  John  (Craven,  (Lt.  1776),  i.  80 

,  Thomas  (Capt.  '75),  i.  71 

Alston,  Wm.  (Bute),  i.  78,  79,  81 

,  Willis  (Halifax),  i.  78,  81,  85 

,  Willis,  Jr.  {ib.),  ii.  199 

Alumni  of  University,  i.  119 
Amidas,  Philip  (lands  in  N.  C.  1584),  i.  23 
Amis,  Thomas  (Bladen),  i.  78 
Anderson,  Joseph  (Judge,  1765),  i.  47 
Archdale,  John  (Quaker  Gov  ),i.  32 
Armstrong,  John  (Capt.  '75),  i.  71 

,  Thomas  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  Andrew  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  James  (Cornet  of  Horse,  '76),  i. 

80 
Arrington,  Hon.  Archibald,  ii.  275 

,  Samuel  L.  (Nash),  ii.  275 

Ashe,  John    Baptist  (Counsellor,  1731),   i. 

42;  ii.  279 
,  Samuel,  i.  73,  74,  78,  79,  82,  85 ;  ii. 

280 
,  Samuel,  Jr.  (Lt.  of  Light  Horse),  i. 

90;  ii.  281 
,  John,  i.  50,  51,  58,  6.5,  74,  78,  79, 

85 

,  John,  Jr.,  i.  79,  80 

,  John  B,  (Halifax),  i.  SO  ;  ii.  199,  281 

,  William  S.  (New  Hanover),  sketch  of, 

ii.  293 
Ashly,  Lord,  i.  29,  32 
Atherton,  Col.    Jeptha,  (Northampton),    i. 
78,  81,  85 

39 


Atkinson,  John  (Orange),  i.  74,  85 
Attorney-Generals,  list  of,  1777  to  1851.  i. 

107 
Auld,  James,  i.  74 

Avery,  Waightstill,  i.  70,  73,  85  ;  ii.  56 
Averytt,  Alex.  (Johnston),  i.  85 

Backhouse,  John  (Carteret,  Cong.  '76),  i.  78 
Badger,  George  E.  (Wake),   sketch   of  life 

and  services,  ii.  121 
Baily,  John  L.  (Judge),  ii.  339 

,  Benjamin  (Ensign  '76),  i.  80 

Baker,  Lawrence  (Hertford),  i.  73,  78,  85 

,  Blake  (Warren),  ii.  440 

Balch,  Hez.  James  (Mecklenburg),  i.  69 
Ballard,  Kedar  (Gates),  i.  80 
Barber,  John  (Tryon),  i.  86 
Barlow,  Arthur,  1584,  i.  23 
Barrat,  Wm.  (Capt.  '76),  i.  79 
Barringer,  John  Paul  (Cabarrus),  ii.  67 

,  Paul  {ib.),  ii.  67 

,  Daniel  L.  (Wake),  sketch  of,  ii. 

67,417 

,  Daniel  Moreau  (Cabarrus),  ii.  67 

Barrow,  John  (Beaufort),  i.  85 

Barry,  Richard  (Mecklenburg),  i.  70 

Bass,  Andrew  (Dobbs),  i.  85 

Battle,  Elisha  (Edgecombe),  i.  78,  85  ;  ii. 

146 
Beard,  Valentine  (Cornet  of  Horse),  i.  80 
Beasly,  John  B.  (Chowan),  i.  78 
Beatty,  Thos.  (Tryon),  i.  81 
Beckman,  C.  (Rowan),  i.  81 
Bellamy,  Wm.,  i.  74 
Benbury,  Thomas  (Chowan),  i.  65,  73,  79, 

85 
Berry,  Charles,  i.  47,  53 
Berryhill,  Wm.,  (Lt.  '75),  i.  71 
Berkley,  Sir  Wm.,  i.  30 
Bethune,  Lauchlin  (Cumberland),  ii.  130 
Biggs,  Asa  (Martin),  ii.  252 
Birdsong,  John  (Chatham),  i.  85 
Blackboard  (Pirate),  i.  39 
Black  Boys  of  Cabarrus,  ii.  65 
Blair,  Thomas,  sketch  of  (Guilford),  i.  81 
Blakely  Johnson  (U.S.  N.),  ii.  290 
Blake,  Thomas  (Regulator),  i.  57 
Bloodworth,  Thomas  (New  Hanover),  i.  81 
Blount,  Whitmel  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 

,  James  (Chowan),  i.  71,  85 

,  Reading,  i.  SO 

,  Benjamin  (Tyrrell),  i.  86 


472 


INDEX. 


Blount,  Wm.  (Craven),  life  and  services  of, 
ii.  Ill 

,  Charles  (Perquimans),  i.  78 

,  Jacob  (Bute),  Cong.  '76,  i.  78,  79 

,  Thomas  (Ensign  '76;,  i.  80 

,  Thomas   (Edgecombe),   sketch  of, 

ii.  143 
Boddie,  Nathan  (Edgecombe),  Congress  '76, 

i..7S 
Boone,  Daniel  (Watauga),  ii.  445 
Borden,  Wm.  (Carteret),  i.  85 
Bonner,  Henry  (Beaufort),  i.  81 
Boyd,  Thomas  (Pasquotank),  i.  78 

,  Dr.  Hugh  (surgeon  4ih  reg.),  i.  79 

Boyden,  Hon.  Nath'l  (Rowan),  ii.  394 
Bradford,  John  (Halifax),  i.  74,  78,  85 
Bragg,  Thomas  (Northampton),  ii.  441 
Brickie,  Matthias  (Hertford),  Congress   '76, 

i.  78 
Branch  (Sheriff  of  Halifax),  i.  75 
,  John  (Halifax),  Governor,  Senator, 

Sec'y  of  Navy,  sketch  of,  ii.  201 
Brandon,  Wm.  (Lt.  '75),  i.  71 
Brannon,  James  (Rowan),  i.  81 
Brevard,  Dr.  P^phraim,  i.  69 

,  Jnhn  (Rowan),  i.  74,  86 

— ,  Hugh  (ib.),  i.  81 


Brier  Creek,  battle  at,  ii.  279 
Brinkly,  Wm.  (Capt.  '76),  i.  78,  80 
Browder,  Isham  (Guilford),  i.  85 
Brown,  Wm.  (Bath),  i.  66,  73,  78,  81,  86 

,  Bedford  (Caswell),  ii.  79 

Bryan,  Col.  Needham  (Johnston),  i.  58,  65; 

sketch  of,  ii.  221 
,  Col.  Needham,  Jr.  (Johnston),  i.  78, 

85 
— — ,  Wm.  (Bute),  Col.  '75,  i.  72,  78 

,  John  (/&.),  Cong.  '76,  i.  78 

,  William  (Craven),  i.  85 

,  John  (Craven),  i.  81,  85 

,  John,  Jr.,  i.  81 

,  John  H.  sketch  of,  ii.  120 

,  Francis,  U.  S.  A.,  ii.  120 

-,  William  (Johnston),  i.  81 


Bryant,  Simon  (Regulator),  i.  57 

Buncombe,  Edward,  i.  79 

Burgess,  Dempsy   (Pasquotank),  i.   78,  81, 

86 
Burke,  Thomas  (Orange),  i.  78,  85;  sketch 

of  his  life,  ii.  332. 
Burrow,  Geo.  (Cong.  '75,)  i.  73 
Burton,  Hutchins  G.,  ii.  200 

,  Robert  H.  (Lincoln),  ii.  246 

,  Robert  (Granville),  ii.  163 

Burgwynn,  J.  H.  K.  (U.  S.  A.),  death  of,  ii. 

121 
Burrington,  George  (Gov.  1724),  i.  40,  42 
Burns,  Otway  (Carteret),  ii.  467 
Bush,  John  (Ensign  '76),  i.  80 
Burton,  John  (Orange),  Cong.  '75,  i.  74,  78, 

81,  85 
Bynum,  Jesse  A.,  (Halifax),  sketch  of,  ii.  201 

,  John  Gray  (Rutherford),  ii.  400 

,  William  (Dividing  line  Va.  1725),  i. 

41. 

Cabarrus,  Stephen  (Chowan),  life,  character, 

and  services,  ii.  94 
Cabot,  John,  i.  23 


Cain,  Elisha  (Chatham,  Cong.  '76),  i.  78 
Caldwell,  Wm.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 

,  David  (Iredell),  ii.  217 

,  David  Franklin  {ib.),  ii.  217 

,  Rev.    David    (Guilford),    i.   85  ; 

sketch  of  his  life  and  character, 

ii.  181 

,  Greene  W.  (Mecklg.),  ii.  267 

,  Joseph  Pearson  (Iredell),  ii.  217 

,  Dr.  Joseph    (Orange),    President 

of  University  of  N.  C,  life  oF, 

i.  118 
Calloway,  Miss  (seized  by  the  Indians  and 

is   rescued   by  Daniel  Boone), 

ii.  446 
Campbell,  John  (Bertie),  i.  64,  78 
,  Farquard  (Cumbd.),  i.  65,  78 


Ld.  William,  i.  76 


,  Joshua  ^Pasquo.),  i.  81 

Cameron,  Duncan,  ii.  417 

,  John  A.  (Cumberland),  ii.  130 

,  Thos.  N.  {ib.),  ii.  130 

Cannon,  Henry  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 

Carr,  James  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 

Carson,  S.  P.  (Burke),  ii.  61 

Carteret,  Sir  Geo.  (Gov.  of  N.  C),  i.  29,  30 

Cary,  Thos.  (Gov.  1710),  i.  35,  36 

Cassel,  Wm.  (Capt.  '76),  i.  SO 

Caswell,  Richd.,  i.  58,  65,  66,  72,  74,  78, 
79,  85;  life,  character,  and  ser- 
vices, S7;  parallel  with  Wash- 
ington, 90;  (elected  Gov.  Dec, 
1776),  i.  86 


,  Wm.  (Ensign  '75),  i.  72 

,  Martin  (Dobbs),  i.  81 

Casey,  John  (Pasquo.),  i.  81 
Cavendish  visits  No.  Ca.,  i.  25 
Cedar  Spring,  battle  of,  ii.  99 
Chambers,  Maxwell,  i.  74 
Charles  II.  (charter  of),  i.  29 
Chang  and  Eng  (Wilkes),  ii.  465 
Cherokee  Indians  in  N.  C,  ii.  205 
Cherry,  Wm.  (Bertie),  ii.  33 

,  W.  W.  {ib.),  ii.  33 

Childs,  Thomas  (Attv.-Genl.),  i.  47 
Child,,  Francis  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  James  (Ensign  '75),  i.  71 

,  John  (Congress  '76),  i.  77 

Chronicle,  Maj.  Wm.  (Gaston),  ii.  156 
Clarke,  Henry  S.  (Beaufort),  ii.  29 

,  Jas.  W.  (Edgecombe),  ii.  144 

,  Thomas  (Maj.  '75),  i.  71,  79 

,  Wm.  F.  (Comptroller),  ii.  419 

,  Henry  (Provost-MarshaI1725),  i.  40 

Clayton,  Jos.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 

,  Francis  (Wilmington),  i. 

Clements,  Wm.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 
Cleaveland,  Benj.  (Ensign  '75),  i. 
Clinsman,  Thos.  L.  (Buncombe) 


66 

72,83 
ii.  53. 


Cogdell,  Richd.  (Cong.  '75),  i.  64,  73,  74 
Cole,  Wm.  Temple  (Rowan),  i.  79,  80 
Collins,  Wm.  F.,  ii.  418 
Columbus  (discovers  America  1492),  i.  23 
Colvill,  Maturin  (Cong.  '76),  i.  78 
Comptrollers  of  No.  Ca.,  from  1782  to  1851, 

i.  108 
Congress,  list  of  members  from  N.  C,  Con- 
tinental, from   1774  to  1788,  i. 
109 


INDEX. 


473 


Conner,  Henry  W.  (Catawbn),  ii.  82 
Cook,  James  (Craven),  i.  64,  72,  79,  SO 
Cooper,  John  (Cong.  '76),  i.  77 
Coor,  James  (Craven),  64,  78,  82,  83 
Cooley,  Dr.  Saml.  (Surg.  5th  Reg.),  i.  79 
Corbin,  Francis  (Agent  of  Ld.  Granville), 

i.  47 
Cornwallis,  Ld.,  i.  75,  77  ;  life  of,  ii.  ISO  ; 

march   through  Lincoln  Co., 

ii.  233 
Correy,  Archd.  (Cong.  '76),  i.  78 
Costner,  Jacob  (Tryon,  Maj.  '76),  i.  81 
Coulie,  John  (Regulator),  i.  57 
Council,  Austin  (Capt.  '76),  i.  80 
Courts,  Danl.  W.  (Treasurer),  ii.  419 
Craig,  Col.  (Onslow),  i.  58. 

,  David  ^Lt.  '76),  i,  80 

,  Burton  (Rowan),  sketch  of,  ii.  395 

Crawford,  Charles  (Capt.  '75),  i.  71 

,  John  (Cong.  '75),  i.  74,  77 

Cromwell,  Oliver,  ii.  199 
Croom,  Major  (Cong.  '75),  i.  73 

,  Hardy  (Lenoir),  ii.  223 

Crowell  family,  ii.  199 

Culpepper,  John  (Rebellion  of  1678),  i.  31 

,  John  (Montgomery),  ii.  271 

Cumming,  Wm.  (Pasquotank),  i.  78 
Custen,  John  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 

Dallas,  George  M.,  ii.  151 

Dandridge,  Wm.  (dividing  line  Va.,  1725), 
i.  41 

Daniel,  Robt.  (GovT.  1704),  i.  34 

,  Jos.  J.  (Halifax),  Judge  of  Supreme 

Court  of  N.  C,  life  and  character 
of,  ii.  200 

,  J.  R.  J.  (ib.),  Attorney-Genl.,  Mem- 
ber of  Congress,  ii.  201 

Davidson  College,  i.  129 

,  George  (Capt.  '75),  i.  71 

,  William  (Meckg.),  i.  79 ;  ii.  267 

,  George  (Anson),  i.  81,  85 

,  John  (Meckg.  Dec.  '75),  i.  70,  81 

Davie,  Wm.  Richardson ;  sketch  of  life, 
character,  and  services,  ii.  188 

Davis,  Thos.  (Com.  '76),  i.  74 

Davis,  Wm.  (Capt.  '75),  i.  71 

Dawson,  John  (Councillor),  i.  47 

,  Levi  (Maj.),  i.  79 

Dare,  Eleanor,  child  of  (first-born  Ameri- 
can), i.  25 

Darnell,  Henry  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

Daugh,  Peter  (Pasquo.),  i.  SI 

Davis,  Wm.  (Capt.  '75),  i.  71,  79 

,  Devotion  (Capt.  '76),  Pasquo.,  i.  86 

Day,  Wm.  (Councillor),  i.  47,  86 

Deberry,  Edmund  (Montgomery),  life  and 
character  of,  ii.  270 

De  Kalbj  Baron  (his  death,  by  an  eye-wit- 
ness,) ii.  164 

Dent,  William  (Guilford),  i.  74,  78 

,  Jr.  iLt.),  i.  SO 

Denton,  James  (Bute),  i.  S5 

De  Rossett,  Lewis  II.  (Councillor,  1760), 
i.47 

Devane,  John  (New  Hanover),  i.  78,  85 

Dick,  John  M.  (Guilford),  ii.  183 

Dickerson,  John  (Capt.  '76  of  Light  Horse), 
i.  90 


Dickson,  Henry  (Capt.  '75),  i.  71 

,  William  (Duplin),  i.  65,  78,  S5 

,  Robert,  (ib.),  i.  81 

Dobbin,  James  C.  (Cumberland),  sketcii  of, 

ii.  131 
Dobbs,  Arthur  (Gov.  1754),  i.  46 

,  Edward  B.  (Councillor  1765),  i.  47 

Donoho,  Thos.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 
Donnell,  John  R.  (Craven),  ii.  120 

,  Richard  Spaight  (Guilford),  ii.  120 

Doty,  Benijah  (Onslow,  Cong.  '76),  i.  78 
Dougherty,  Geo.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 
Downc,  Henry  (Mecklenburg),  i.  70 
Drake,  James  (Nash),  attack  of  tories  up- 
on, ii.  274 
Drummond,  Wm.  (1st  Gov.  of  N.  C.  1681), 

i.30 
Duels  between  Simpson  and  Whitechurst, 
i.  53 

Wilkes  and  Martin,  i.  63 

Stanly  and  Spaight,  ii.  1 12 

Stanly  and  Henry,  ii.  129 

Carson  and  Vance,  ii.  61 


Duffy,  Wm.  (Cumberland),  sketch  of,  ii.  128 
Duke,  And.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 
Dunn,  John  (Rowan),  petition  of,  ii.  377 
Dupre,  Lewis  (Brunswick),  i.  85 
Durant,  Geo.,  i.  29 

Easton,  John  (Carteret),  i.  73,  85 
Eaton,  Wm.  (Con.  '75),  i.  74,  82,  86 

,  Thos.  (Bute),  i.  81,  85 

,  Charles  A.  (Granville,  Cong.  '76),  i. 

78 

,  Pinkinthan,  (Capt.  '76),  i.  79 

,  Wm.  (Northampton),  i.  81 

Eborn,  John  (Hyde),  i.  80 

Eden,  Charles  (Govr.  1713),  i.  38,  40 

,  Penelope,  i.  40 

Edwards,  Isaac  (Newbern),  i.  66 

,  Weldon  N.  (Warren),  sketch  of, 

ii.  441 
Elizabethtown,  battle  of,  ii.  36 
Elliot,  Charles  (Judge  '65),  i.  47 
Ellis,  Robert  (Lt.  Col.,  '75),  i.  72. 

,  Richard  (Com.,  '75),  i.  73 

,  John  W.  (Rowan),  Judge,  sketch  of, 

ii.  394" 
Emmet,  James  (Cap.  '76l,  i.  80 
Enloe,  John  (Captain,  '76),  i.  SO 
Ennct,  James  (Captain,  '76),  i.  79 
Etheridge,  Wm.  (Ensign,  '76),  i.  80 
Evans,  George  (Pitt),  i.  86 
Everigin,  Edward  (Pasquo.),  i.  65 
Everhard,  Sir  Richard  (Gov.,  '25),  i.  41 
Ewert,  Robert  (Com.,  '75),  i.  74 
Exum,  Benjamin  (Dobbs),  i,  85 

Fannen,  David  (Chatham),  a  desperate  ma- 
rauder and  Tory,  ii.  84 
Fanning,  Edmund  (Orange),  i.  55,  56,57,  58  ; 
life,  services,  and  death,  ii.  331 
Farr,  James  (Lieutenant,  '76),  i.  SO 
Fay,  Joshua  (Com.  Va.  line),  i.  44 
Fenner,  Wm.  (Lieutenant,  '75),  1.  72 
Ferguson,  Colonel   Patrick,    biography  of, 
V  ii.  102 

Fisher,  Hon.  Charles  (Rowan),    sketch  of 
life  of,  ii.  391 


474 


INDEX. 


Fishing  Creek  (Sumpter  surprised  at),  ii.  194 
Fitzwilliams,  Richard    (dividing   line,  Va., 

'25),  i.  41 
Flat  Rock,  battle  at,  ii.  190 
Flennigen,  John  (Mecklenburg),  i.  70 
Folsome,  Ebenezer  (Cumberland),  i.  81 
Ford,  John  (Mecklenburg),  i.  70 
Foreman,  Joshua  (Rutherford),  sketch   of, 

ii.  399 
Forney,  Jacob  (Lincoln),  sketch  of,  ii.  241 

,  Peter  {ib.),  ib.,  244 

,  Daniel  M.  (ib.),  ib.,  245 

,  Abram  (ib.),  ib.,  245 

Forsythe,  Benj.  (Stokes),  ii.  147,  404 
Frankland,  state  of  its  rise,  progress,  and 

fall,  i.  91 
Fraser,  Jeremiah  (Tyrrell),  i.  66,  86 
Frohawk,  John  (Salisbury),  i.  50 
Fuller,  Brittain  (Wake),  i.  86 

Gale,  Christopher  (Chief  Justice,  '24),  i.  40 
Gales,  Joseph  (Wake),  ii.  416 

,  Weston  R.  {ib.),  ii.  417 

,  Seaton  {ib.),  ii.  417 

Galloway,  Charles  (Com.,  '75),  i.  74 
Gardiner,  Wm.  (Ensign, '75),  i.  72 
Gaston,  Alexander  (Craven),  i.  73 

,  William  {ib.),   life,  character  and 

services  of,  ii.  114 
Gates,  General  Horatio,  life,  services,  and 

character,  ii.  159 
Geddy,  John  (Halifax),  i.  66 
Gee,  Drury  (Northampton),!.  78,  SI 
Gibson,  Walter  (Bladen),  i.  64 
Gilbert,  Sir  Humphrey,  i.  23 
Giles,  Jno.  (Rowan),  sketch  of,  ii.  390 
Gillaspie,  James  (Duplin),  i.  85 
Gilliam,  Robert  B.  (Granville),  ii.  65 
Glasgow,  James  (Dobbs),  i.  73,  81  ;  elected 

Sec.  of  State,  i.  86 
Glover,  Wm.  and  Thos.  Carey,  i.  35 
Goffe,  Arthur  (Receiver-Gen.  1725),  i.  40 
Gold  mines  of  N.  C.  (first  discovery  of),ii. 

63 
Gold  Hill  (Rowan),  ii.  395 
Gooding,  Christ.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 
Goodman,  Wm.  (Capt.  '76),  i.  80 
Gorham,  James  (Pitt),  i.  72,  86 
Gorrel,  Ralph  (Congress,  Guilford,  '76),  i. 

78,85 
Governors  of  N.  C,  list  of,  (from  Richard 
Caswell,    1776,  to   David  S. 
Reid,  1851),  i.  98 
Graaffenreidt,  Baron  de,  i.  36,  37 
Graham,  Wm.  (Meck'g),  i.  70 

,  George  {ib.),  i.  71 ;  ii.  265 

,  Gen.  Joseph    (Lincoln),  life    and 

character,  ii.  233 

,  James  {ib.),  ii.  247 

•-,  William  A.  {ib.),  Speaker  of  House, 

Senator,  Sec.  of  Navy,  ii.  337 

,  William  (Tryon),  i.  86 

Granbury,  Geo.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  79 

,  Thos.  (Capt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  John  (Lt.),  i.  SO 

Granganimeo,  (native  Indian),  i.  24 
Granger,  Caleb  (Capt.  '75),  i.  71 
Grant,  Reuben  (Onslow),  i.  80 
,  Thomas,  (Ensign  »76),  i.  80 


Granville,  Lord,  i.  34,  41 
Gray,  John  (Capt.  '76),  i.  79,  80 

,  William  (Bertie),  i.  85 

,  Thos.  (Duplin),  i.  65,  78,  85 

,  Simon  (Edgecombe),  i.  81 

,  William  {ib.),  i.  73,  74 

,  William  (Onslow),  i.  65 


Greene,  Gen.  Nathl.,  life  and  character  of, 

ii.  167 
Green,  Roger,  i.  29 

,  James  (Clerk  to  Council),  i.  74 

,  William  (Capt.  '75),  i.  71 

Greenville,  Sir  Richd.,  i.  25 

Gregory.  Isaac  (Pasquo.),  i.  73,  81,  86 

Groves",  Wm.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

Guilford  Court  Honse,  battle  at,  ii.  173 

Guion,  Dr.  Isaac  (1st  Rgt.),  i.  72 

Guthrie,  John  S.  (Chatham),  ii.  86 

Hadley,  Joshua  (Ensign  '76),  i.  80 

,  Thomas  (Campbellton),  i.  86 

Haines,  Thos.  (Capt.  '76),  i.  80 
Hall,  Clement  (Lt.  '75),  i.  72 

,  Robt.  (Dr.  3d  Regt.),  i.  79 

,  Spence  (Currituck),  ii.  134 

,  Hon.  John  (Warren),  ii.  440 

,  Hon.  Edwd.  {ib.),  ii.  440 

,  Thos.  H.  (Edgecombe),  ii.  144 

Hamilton,  Hanson  (Regulator),  i.  57 
Hamilton,  John  (Com.  '75),  i.  74 
Hampton,  Adam  (Tryon,  Lieut.  '76),  i.  80, 

81 
Hancock,  Jos.  (Hyde),  i.  78,  85 
Hanging  Rock,  battle  at,  ii.  192 
Harden,  Jos.  (Tryon),  i.  72,  86 
Hardison,  John  (Martin),  i.  85 
Harnett,  Cornelius,  i.  42,  73, 74,  79,  82,  85, 

86;  sketch  of,  ii.  281 
Harriott,  (Historian),  visits  N.  C,  i.  25 
Harris,  Thos.  (Capt.  '76),  i.  79 

,  Edward  (Judge),  ii.  352 

,  Dr.  Charles  (Cabarrus),  ii.  68 

,  James  (Meck'g),  i.  70 

Harrison, Thomas  (Orange),  i.  81 
Hart,  Thos.  (Orange),  i.  65,  79 
Harvey,  John  (Gov.  1680),  i.  31,65 

,  Thos.  (Gov.  1693),  i.  32,  65 

,  John  (Perquimans),  i.  64;  ii.  341 

,  Benjamin  {ib.),  i.  65,  86 

,  Thos.  (ib.),  i.  78,  86 

,  Miles  {ib.),  i.  73,  78,  86 

Hassell,  James  (Judge  and  Councillor — Gov. 

1771),  i.  61 
Hatch,  Lemuel  (Craven),  i.  64,  78,  81 
Hawkins,  Philemon  (Bute),  i.  59,  78,  85,   ii. 
426 

,  Wm.  (26.),  Gov.  in  ISll,  ii.  440 

,  Benjamin  {ib.),  sketch  of,  ii.  426 

,  M'cajah  Thomas  {ib.),  ii.  440 

Haynes,  Eaton   (Northampton),  Cong.  '76, 

i.  78 
Haywood,  Wm.  (Edgecombe),  i.  74,  78,  85, 

86;  ii.  143 

,  Judge  John  (Halifax),  ii.  200 

,  Wm.  H.,  jr.  (Wake),  ii.  418 

Heath,  Wm.  (Craven),  Tory,  ii.  122 
Henderson,  Judge    Richard,    his    life    and 

character,  i.  102 
,  Pleasant  (Orange),  i.  80;  ii.  334 


Henderson,  Archibald  (Rowan),  ii.  386 

,  Leonard  (Granville),  ii.  163 

Henly,  Peter  (Judge  1747),  i.  47 
Herritage,  John  (Lt.  '75),  i.  71 
Herron,  Benj.  (Councillor  1765),  i.  47 
Henry,  Jacob  (Carteret),  ii.  74 

,  Louis  D.  (Cumberland),  sketch  of, 

ii.  129 
Hewes,  Jos.  (Edenton),  i.  66,74,  79,82,  87; 
life,  character,  and  services,  ii.  94 
Hicks,  Thos.  (Duplin),  i.  65 
High,  Alsop  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 
Hill,  Green  (Bute),  i.  64,  78,  81 

,  William  (Com.  '75),  i.  74 

,  William  cLt.  '75),  i.  71 

,  William  (Sec.  of  State),  ii.  419 

,  Hon.  John  (Stokes),  ii.  406 

,  Whitmel  (Martin),  i.  78,  82,  85;  sketch 

of  life  of,  ii.  232 
Hinds,  Richard  (Edgecombe),  ii.  144 
Hines,  Jos.  (Guilford),  i.  85 
Hinton,  Noah  (Bertie),  i.  85 

,  Charles  L.  (Wake),  ii.  4l8 

,  Col.  John  (Wake),  i.  5,  9,  74,  78 

Hogan,  James  (Halifax),  i.  79,  81,  85 

,  Isaiah  (Chatham),  i.  85 

Hogg,  Thos.  (Lieut.  '75),  i.  71 

Hoke,  Michael  (Lincoln),  sketch  of,  ii.  246 

,  John  F.  {ib.),  ii.  246 

HoUingsworth,  John  (New  Hanover),  i.  78, 
85 

,  Charles  (Lieut.  '76),  i.  89 

Holmes,  Owen  (New  Hanover),  sketch  of, 

ii.  293 
Holton,  Robt.  (Com.  S.  C.  Line),  i.  43 
Hooks,  Charles  (Duplin),  ii.  139 
Hooper,  William  (New  Hanover,  Congress 
'75),  i.  65,  66, 74,  82,  86  ;  sketch 
of,  ii.  282 
— — ,  Wm.  (Perquimans),  i.  86 

,  Wm.  (Wake),  i.  78 

Hopson,  John  (Ens.  '76),  i.  SO 
Hoskins,  Charles  (U.  S.  A  ),  ii.  95 
Howard,  Martin  (Judge),  his  life,  character, 

and  services,  i.  100 
Howe,  Robt.  (Brunswick"),  i.  64,  71 
Howell,  Rednak  (Regulator),  i.  63 
Hunt,  Memucan  (Granville),  i.  65,  78,  85 
Hunter,  Wm.  (Regulator),  i.  56,  57 

,  Thomas  (Chowan),  i.  65,  78 

,  Jacob  (Chowan),  i.  85 

,  Thomas  (Edgecombe),  i.  81 

,  Humphrey  (Gaston),  sketch  of  life 

of,  ii.  151 

,  Thos.  (Martin),  i.  85 

Husbands,  Herman,  i.  55,  63.  (His  book, 
containing  "An  impartial  ac- 
count of  the  rise  of  the  Regu- 
lators in  Orange),"  ii.  301 ; 
sketch  of  his  life,  ii.  348 
Hyde,  Edward  (Gov'r  1710),  i.  36 ;  death,  38 

Indians,  Massacre  in  N.  C.  (1711),  i.  37 
-,  Cherokees  in  N.  C,  ii.  205 


INDEX.  475 

/'Iredell,  Jam^jr.  (Chowan),  ii.  94 
"^    Irwin,   Henry    (Edgecombe),    i.    72,    78; 
sketch  of  life  and  services,  ii. 
142 

,  Robt,  (Meckg.),  i.  70,  78,  85 

Irvine,  Thos.  P.  (Newborn),  ii.  120 


Ingram,  James  (Northampton),  i.  85 
Innes,  Col.  James  (New  Hanover),  i.  46 
Insane  Hospital  of  N.  C,  i.  136 

,      Insurrection  of  Slaves,  ii.  210 

i'^Iredeil,  James  (Chowan),  life,  character  and 
services,  ii.  93 

39* 


James,  John  (Capt.  '76),  i.  80 
Jarvis,  Sam'l  (Currituck),  i.  65,  78,  85 
Jefferson,  Peter  (Va.),  i.  44 
Jayocks,  Chs.  (Cong.  '76),  i.  78 
Jenkins,  John  (Gov.  1680),  i.  31 
Johnson,  Charles  (Chowan),  ii.  94 

,  Jonas   (Edgecombe),   i.    81,    85: 

sketch  of,  ii.  143 

,  Gabriel  (Gov.  1734),  i.  43 

,  Wm.  (Hillsboro'),  i.  74,  79,  86 

,  John  (Bertie),  i.  73,  7S,  85 

,  Samuel  {ib.),  i.  65, 74,  76,  78  ;  life, 

character  and  services  of,  ii.  91 

,  Thomas  (Onslow),  i.  85 

Joyce,  Nathan  (Currituck),  i.  65 
Jones,  Mrs.  Wilie,  ii.  186 

,  David  (Ensign  '76),  i.  SO 

,  Mrs.  Allan,  ii.  186 

,  Daniel  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  Thos.  (Chowan),  i.  65,  73,  78,  82, 

85    • 

,  Reuben  P.  (Craven),  ii.  94 

,  Frederick  (Com.  '75),  i.  73 

,  James  (Capt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  Francis  (Beaufort),  i.  85 

,  Matthew  (Chatham),  i.  SI 

,  Thomas  (Edenton),  i.  76 

,  Wilie   (Halifax),  i.   65,  79,   86;    ii. 

188 

,  William  (ib.),  i.  73 

,  Abram  (Hyde),  i.  So 

,  Allen  (Northampton),  i.  65,  74,  78, 

79,  85  ;  sketch  of,  ii.  296 

,  Joseph  (Pasquo.),  i.  65,  78 

,  Hamilton  C.  (Rowan),  sketch  of,  ii. 

395 

,  Edward  (Wilmington),  sketch  of  life 

of,  ii.  290 

,  James  (Wake),  i.  86 

,  Tignal  (ib.),  i.  78,  86 

Jordan,  John  (Hyde),  i.  78 

,  Dillon  (Cumberland),  ii.  130 

Judiciary  of  N.  C,  i.  33,  47,  63,  99 

Judges,  list  of,  from  1777  to  1851,  i.  105 

Keais,  Nathan  (Capt.  '75),  i.  71 
Kenan,  James  (Duplin),  i.  65,  74,  85 

,  Thomas  (ib.),  ii.  139 

,  Felix  (/&.),  ii.  139 

Kennon,  Wm.  (Rowan),  i.  66,  69,  79 
Kenhawa,  battle  of,  ii.  99 
Kidd,  (Pirate),  i.  34 
Kinchen,  John  (Orange),  i.  73,  76,  73 
King's  Mountain,  battle  of,  ii.  59,  98,  101 
King,  Wm.  Rufus  (Sampson),  sketch  of,  ii. 
401 

,  John  (Onslow),  i.  78 

Knott,  Wm.  (Ensign  '76),  i.  SO 
Knox,   Andrew    (Perquimans),    i.    65,    72, 
74 


Lamb,  Gideon  (Currituck),  i.  73,  78,  79 


476 


INDEX. 


Lamb,  Walter  (Tory),  i.  75. 
Lamon,  Duncan  (Com.  '75),l»2o,  74 
Lane,  Sir  Ralph  (1585)  ii.  25 

,  Joel  (Wake),  i.  74,  73 

Lark,  John  (Com.  '75),  i.  74 

Latham,  Rothias  (Hyde,  Cong.  '75),  i.  65,  78 

Lawson,  John  (Historian),  i.  26 

Lea,  John  (Shff.  of  Orange),  beaten  by  the 

Regulators,  i.  57 
Leach,  Col.  Jos.  (Craven),  i.  58,  64,  86 
Lee,  Stevens  (Tyrrell),  i.  73,  b6 
Lemon,  Duncan  (Edgecombe),  i.  78 
Lenoir,  Wm.  (Wilkes),  i.  83 ;  sketch  of  his 

life  and  services,  ii.  462 
Leslie,  James  (Com.  '75),  i.  74 
Lewis,  Micajah  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 

,  Esum  (Edgecombe),  i.  81 

-,  Robert  (Granville),  i.  85 

Liberty  Hall  College  (Charlotte  in  1777),  i. 

117 
Lillington,  John  (Lt.  '75),  i.  71 

,  Geo.  (son  of),  i.  34 

,  Alexander  (Col.  '75),  i.  72,  76, 

79 
Lincoln,  Gen.  Benjamin  (sketch  of  life  and 
character),  ii.  225 

,  County  (Association  in  1775),  ii. 

226 
Linton,  Wm.  (Ensign  '76),  i.  80 
Literary  Institutions  of  North  Carolina,  i. 

116 
Locke,  John  (Philosopher),  forms  a  Constitu- 
tion for  Carolina,  i.  30  ;  abrogated, 
32 
Lock,  Matthew  (Rowan),  i.  78,  86  ;'sketch 
of,  ii.  384 

,  Francis  (ift.),  i.  81  ;  sketch  of,  ii.  384 

Lockhart,  Samuel  (Northampton),  i.  78,  79 
Long,  Nehemiah  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  Mrs.  Nicholas  ^Halifax),  ii.  186 

,  James  (Tyrrell),  i.  81 

,  Andrew  (ib.),  i.  81 

,  Hon.  John  (Randolph),  ii.  349 

Lord,  Wm.  (Brunswick),  i.  85 

,  John  B.  (Rowan),  ii.  395 

Love,  Amos  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  David  (Anson,  Cong.  '76),  i.  77,  81, 

85 

,  Wm.  C.  (Rowan,  Cong.  1815),  ii.  391 

Lowe,  Philip  (Ensign  '75),  i.  72 

Lowrie,  Samuel  (Meck'g),  Judge,  life  of,  ii. 

266 
Lucky,  Christ.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 
Ludwell,  Philip  (Gov.  1693),  i.  32 
Lynaugh,  Francis,  i.  79 
Lytle,  Arch'd  (Capt.  '76),  i.  80 
,  Wm.  (Ensign  '76),  i.  80 

JilcAllister,  Alexander  (Cumberland),  i.  74, 

78,  81 
McBride,  Archibald  (Moore),  ii.  272 
McCabe,  John  (Oranse),  i.  85 
McCan,  John  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 
McCay,  Spruce  (Rowan),  ii.  384 
McCoy,  Alex.  (Cumberland),  i.  78 
McClure,  Matthew  (Meck'g)  i.  70 

,  Dr.  Wm.  (6th  Regiment),  i.  79. 

,  Thomas  (Ensign  '76),  i.  80. 

McCullock,  H.  E.,  i.  47-50 
,  Alexander,  i.  47 


McCullock,  Benj.  (Halifax),  i.  85 
McDonald,  Donald  (Gen.  '75),  i.  76,  77. 

,  Flora    (Cumberland),   romantic 

life   of,  ii.  125; 
McDowell,  Joseph  (Burke),  ii.  57,  247 
McFaden,  Adam  (Ensign  '76),  i.  SO 
McFarland,  Hon.   Duncan   (Richmond),  ii. 

351. 
McKay,  Jas.  J.  (Bladen),  ii.  43 
McLainy,  Mark  (Lt.  '76),  i.  ISO 
McLaine,  Archibald  (Brunswick),  i.  74,  85: 

sketch  of,  ii.  290 
McNeil,  Hector  (Lt.  '75),  i.  71 

,  Archibald  (Moore),  ii.  272 

McKinnie,  William  (Dobbs),i.  65,  78,  81 
McKinzie,  Kenneth  ^Ma^tin),  i.  73,  78 
McLean,  Charles  (Maj.  '75),  i.  75 
-,  Jerome  (Capt.  '76),  i.  79 


,80 

Sena- 
.  336 


McQueen,  Hugh  (Chatham),  ii.  86 
McRee,  Griffiths  J.  (Capt.  76),  i.  SO 
Macon,  Nathaniel  (Warren),  sketch  of  his 
life, character,  both  public  and 
private,  his  services  and  death), 
ii.  432 
Madaris,  John  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 
Madacy,  Cosimo  (Lt.  '76  of  Horse),  i 
Mallet,  Peter  (Commissary),  i.  79 
Mangum,  Wilie  P.  (Orange),  Judge, 
tor  in  Congress,  life  of,  ii. 
Manly,  Matthias  E.  (Craven),  sketch  of  life. 
ii.l21 

-,  Charles  (Wake),  ii.  85 

Manteo  and  Manchese  (native  Indians),  i.  24 

,  Lord  of  Roanoke,  i.  25 

Marchant,  Kedar  (Currituck),  i.  85 
Martin,  Josiah  (Gov.  1771),  i.  61,67,  68,  77 

-,  Alexander  (Guilford),  i.  71  ;    ii.  181 

,  James  (Stokes),  ii.  405 

,  James,  Jr.  (Rowan),  ii.  384 

,  Francis  X.  (Craven),  ii.  110 

,  James  (Guilford)  i.  81 

,  John  (Stokes),  sketch  of,  ii.  405 

. ,  Alexander  (Rockingham),  i.  79 

Mattocks,  John  (Lincoln),  ii.  149 

May,  Benjamin  (Pitt),  i.  86 

Maynard,  Lt.  (kills  Black  Beard),  i.  39 

Mebane,  Alexander  (Orange),  i.  85;  sketch 

of,  ii.333 
Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence 
(May,  1775),  i. 69 

,  resolves  of,  May  '75,  ii.  255 

,  ladies'  resolves  of,  ii.  268 

Medlock,  Charles  (Anson),  i.  81 
Meredith,  William  (Ensign),  i.  80. 

Miller, (Secretary  of  Colony),  i.  30 

,  George  (Dobbs),  i.  65,  78. 

,  William  (Warren),  Gov.  1814,  ii.  440 

Mills,  James  (Cong.  1775),  i.  74 
Mint,  U.  S.  Branch  (Cha.-lotte),  ii.  268 
Mitchell,  George  (Onslow),  i.  78,  80 

,Hon.  Anderson  (Wilkes),  sketch 

of,  ii.  465 
Montgomery,  John  (Attorney-General,  '31;, 

i.  42 
,  Gen.  Richard,  life  and  ser- 
vices of,  ii.  270 

,  Hon.  William  (Orange),  sketch 

of,  ii.  335. 
Moore's  Creek,  battle  of,  i.  76 
Moore,  Roger  (Capt.  '76),  i.79,  80 


INDEX. 


477 


Moore,  Dempsey  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  Maurice  (Brunswick),  ii.  47;  his  life 

and  character,  i.  57,  74,  So,  101 

,  Maurice,  Jr.  (ib.),  i.  71. 

,  James  {ib.),  i.  71,  72,  77 

,  Capt.  Alfred  (ib.),  i.  71 ;  life  and  ser- 
vices of,  ii.  47 

,  Augustus  (Chowan),  ii.  95 

,  Batholomew  (Halifax),  ii.  202 

,  William  (Orange),  i.  85 

Montford,  Lt.  Jos.  (Halifax),  i.  80 

Monk,  George  (Duke  of  Albemarle),  i.  30  ; 
ii.  89 

Moravians,  ii.  404 

Mordecai,  Moses,  ii.  417 

Morgan,  Benjamin  (Ensign  '76),  i.  SO 

,  General  Daniel,  ii.  55 

Morpis,  John  (Ensign  '76),  i.  SO 

Morrison,  Robert  H.  (Lincoln),  sketch  of, 
ii.  247 

,  Neil  (Mecklenburg),  i.  70 

Moslander,  Abel  (Lt. '76),i.  SO   " 

Mosely,  Edward,  i.  39,40,  43 

,  Madame  Anne,  tomb  of,  i.  34 

.  Wm.  D.  (Lenoir),  ii.  223 

,  Sampson  (New  Hanover),  i.  73,  78, 

85. 

Munford,  George  (Rowan),  ii.  385 

Murfree,  Hardy  (Hertford),  Capt.  '75,  i.  71  ; 
ii.  208. 

,  Wm.  H.  {ib.),  sketch  of,  ii.  208 

Murphey,  Judge  A.  D.  (Orange),  life  of,  ii, 
335. 

Musgrove  Mill,  battle  of,  ii.  57,  100 

Murray,  James  (Counsellor),  i.  47. 

Mylne,  Geo.  (Com. '75),  i.  74 

Nash,  Abner  (Newbern),  i.  66,  73,  76,  78, 
87  ;  biography  of,  ii.  Ill 

,  Caleb  (Maj.  '75,)  i.  72 

,  Francis  (Lt.  Colonel,  1775), i.  71,  79  ; 

biography  of,  ii.  333 

,  Frederick,  Judge  of  Supr.  court,  bi- 
ography of,  ii.  335 

Neale,  Christo.  (Craven),  i.  85 

Neil,  Henry  (Ensign  '75),  i.  71 

Nelson,  John  (Capt.  '76),  i.  79,  90 

,  Alex.  (Ensign),  i.  80 

Nesbitt,  David  (Salisbury),  i.  78,  86 

Newspapers,  i.  34 

Nicholas,  Geo.  (Judge,  1765),  i.  47 

Norman,  John  (Onslow),  i.  78 

North  Carolina,  first  landing  by  English,  in 
15S4,  i.  23 

,  divided  into  North  and  South 

Carolina,  i.  32 

,  (first  Legisl.  Assembly  '69), 

i.  30 

,  first   Church  (1705),  i.  35; 

issues  paper  1712,  i.  38 

,  disfranchises  all  dissenters 

from  office,  i.  34 

,  divisions,  in  1729,  i.  42 

,  Gov.  Burrington's  opinions 

of  the  people  of,  i..  40  ;  ef- 
fect of  stamp  act,  51 

,  population  in    1729,  i.  41  ; 

exports  in  1752  i.  45 

,  first  Assembly  of  represent- 


atives of  the  people,  (New 
bern,  25  Aug.  1774),  i.  64. 
North  Carolina,  second,  at  same  place,  4th 
April  1775,  i.  67 

,  third,    at     Hillsboro',    23d 

Aug.  1775 

,  fourth,  at  Halifax,  4th  April, 

1776,  i.  77 

■ ,  fifth,  at  same  place,    12th 

Nov.    1776   (constitution 
formed),  i.  84 
Norwood,  John  (Com.  '75),  i.  74 

-,  William  (Orange)  life  of,  ii.  335 


Oliver,  John  (Granville),  i.  72,  85 
Ormond,  Roger  (Beaufort),  i.  73,77 
Osborne,  Alex.  (Iredell),  ii.  216 
,  Adlai  (Rowan),  i.  72;  ii.  216 


Outlaw,  Edward  (Ensign  '76),  i.  SO 
,  David  (Bertie),  ii.  33 


Owen,  Thomas  (Bladen),  i.  81 

,  John  (,ib.),  ii,  43 

,  James  (ib.)  ii.  43 


Pacolet,  post  of,  surrenders  to  Shelby,  ii.  57, 

99 
Paine,  Robert  T.  (Chowan),  ii.  95 

,  John  (Orange),  i.  81 ,  85 

Paisly,  John  (Guilford),  i.  75,  81 
Palmer,  Robt.  (Councillor),  i.  47 
Parmelly,  Benj.  (Hyde),  i.  78,  85 
Patton,  Benj.  (Meek.),  i.  47 
-,  John  (Col.  '76),  i.  79 


Patillo,Rev.H.,  i.  74 
Patton,  John  (Major  '75),  i.  71 

,  Benj.  (Com.  '75),  i.  65,  70 

,  Jos.  (Ensign  '76),  i.  80 

,  James  (Bunc),  ii.  53 

Paxton,  Judge  John  (Rutherford),  sketch  of, 

ii.  399 
Payne,  Michael  (Capt.  '75),  i.  71 
Pearson,  Richmond  M.,  Judge  of  Sup.  court, 

sketch  of,  ii.  386 
,  Richard  (Rowan),  ii.  385 

,  Joseph  (.ib,),  ii.  385 

,  Jesse  A.  (ib.),  ii.  38& 


Peebles,  Robert  (Northampion),  i.  85 
Penn,  John  (Granville,  appointed  delegate  to 

Congress),  i,  74,  78,  82  ;  ii.  162 
Person,  Wm.  (Bute),  i.  64,79  ;  ii.  425 
,  Thos.  (Granville),  i.  75,  73,  76,  78, 

79,  82,  85,  S6 
Perkins,  Solo.  (Currituck),  i.  65,  78,  81 
Phifer,John  (Cabarrus),!.  70,75,78,  81,  85; 

ii.  67 
,  Martin  (ib.),  i.  80 


Phillips,  Jos.  (Capt.  '76),  i.  79,  80 

Pickens,  Israel  (Burke),  ii.  61 

Picket,  Wm.  (Anson,  Capt.  '75),  i.  71,  81, 
85 

Pike,  Benj.  (Lt. '76),  i.  80 

Pitt,  Wm.   (Lord  Chatham),  i.  50;  life  and 
character,  ii.  S3 

County,  resolves  of  July,  1775,  ii,  345 

Plummer,  Kemp  (Warren),  ii.  440 

Pocahontas,  i.  27 

Pollock,  Geo.  (Gov.,  '72),  i.  38 

Potter,  Robert  (Granville),  ii.  164 

,  Hon.  Henry  (sketch  of),  ii-  129 

'  Powell,  Mrs.  (Halifax^,  courage  of,  ii.  186 
I  Pope,  Willis  (Lieutenant,  '76),  i.  80 


478  INDEX. 


Pope,  Henry  (Ensign,  '75),  i.  71 
Polk,  James  K.  (Mecklenburg),  ii.  266 

,  Thomas  (ib.),  i.  70,  75,  79 

,  William  (Wake),  ii.  416 

Porterfield,  Denny  (Ensign,  '76),  i.  80 
Porter,  Edmund  (Judge  of  Adm.  '31),  i.  42 
Pugh,  John  (Regulator),  i.  57 

,  Thos.  Whitmel  (Ensign,  '75),  i.  72, 80, 

85 
Press  of  North  Carolina  (first  introduced  by 
Davis, '49),  i.  44;  list  of  Newspa- 
pers and  Editors,  i.  112 
Privat,  Isaac  (Lieutenant,  '76),  i.  SO 
Proprietors  of  North  Carolina  (charter  of 

Charles  II.  to,   1663),  i.  29  ; 

surrender  their  charter  1729, 

i.  41 

Queary,  John  (Mecklenburg),  i.  70 
Quince,  Richard  (Com.,  '75),  i.  74 
,  Parker  (Bath),  i.  86 

Rains,  Henry  (Johnston),  i.78,  85 
Raleigh,  Sir  Walter,  i.  23,  26,  27 

,  city  of,  foundations  laid  in  1587,  i. 

25 
Ralston,  Robert  (Ensign,  '75),  i.  71 
Ramsay,  Ambrose  (Chatham;,  i.  74,  79,  85 
Ramsour's  Mill  (Battle  of),  ii.  227 
Rand,  John  (Wake),  i.  78,  82 
Rayner,  Kenneth  (Hertford),  sketch  of,  ii. 

209 
Reading,  Joseph  (Pasquotank),  i.  65 
Regulators  (Battle  of),  ii.  16 

paper  at  Orange  County  Court 

('66),i.54 
Reese,  David  (Mecklenburg),  i.  70 
Rancher,  Abraham  (Chatham),  ii.  85 
Reid,    David    Settle,    Governor   of    North 

Carolina,  sketch  of,  ii.  354 
Respiss,  Thomas  (Beaufort),  i.  64,  85 
Rhodes,  Henry  (Onslow),  i.  74,  85 

,  Elisha  (Lieutenant,  '76),  i.  80 

Rice,  Nath.«(Secr'y  of  Province,  '31),  i.  42; 

Gov,,  '34),  i.  43 
Richardson,  Nath.  (Con.  '76),  i.  78 
Ridly,  Day  (Hertford),  i.  73,  85 
Riddle  Knob,  ii .  444 
Rieusett,  John  (Councillor),  i.  47 
Riply,  Spencer  (Pasquotank),  i.  81 
Robards,  Wm.  (Granville),  ii.  163 
Robeson,  Wm.  (Pitt),  i.  78,  86 
Robertson,  Charles  (Anson),  i.  85 

— ,  Thomas  (Bladen,  Con,,  '76),  i. 

78 
Rochester,  Nathaniel  (Orange),  1.78, 79, 81, 

85 
Rodgers,  Michael,  i.  74 
Rosser,  Joshua  (Chatham),  i.  78 
Rowan   County    (Journal    of   the    Coin,   of 

Safety  of),ii.  360 
Ruffin,  Thomas  (Alamance),  sketch  of,  ii. 

19 
Russell,  Wm.  (Hyde),  i.  85 
Rutherford,  T.  (Cumberland),  i.  65,  78 

. ,  Griffith  (Rowan),  i.  74,  75,  78, 

79,  82,  86  ;  sketch  of,  ii.  3S3 
Rutledge,  Thomas  (Duplin,  Com.  '75),  i.  74, 

81 
Ryan,  James  (Currituck),  i,  78 


Salter,  Wm.  (Bladen),  i.  64 

Salter,  Edward  (Pitt),  i.  65,  73,  78,  86 

,  Robert,  i.  79 

Sampson,  John  (Councillor,  '65),  i.  47 
Saunders,  James  (Orange),  i.  78,  81,  85 

,  Jesse  (Captain,  '76),  i.  80 

,  Romulus  M.  (Caswell),  ii,  79 


Sawyer,  Lemuel  (Pasquo.),  i.  86 
(Camden),  ii.  71 


of, 


Saml.  T.  (Chowan),  ii.  95 

Scott,  John  (Hillsboro'),  ii.  336 

Scurlock,  Mial  (Chatham),  i.  74,  85 

Secretaries  of  State  of  N.  Ca.,  i.  107 

Selwyn,  Geo.  A.,  i.  50 

Sessums,  Isaac  (Edgecombe),  i.  85 

Sewall,  Henry   (Wake),  sketch  of  life 

ii.  417 

Sevier,  John  (Govr.),  ii.  449 
Shaftesbury,  Lord,  i.  31 
Sharpe,  Wm.  (Iredell),  i.  82,  86 ;    sketch  of 

life  and  services,  ii.  216 
Shelby,  Isaac,  life,  services,  and  character, 

ii.  98 
Shernll,  Catharine,  chased  by  the  Tennes- 
see Indians,  leaps  the  palisades 
of  the  Fort,  falls  in  the  arras  of 
John    Sevier,  and  becomes    his 
wife,  ii,  450 
Sherwood,  Thos.  (Bute),  i.  81 
Sheppard,  Solo.  (Carteret),  i.  78,  85 

,  Abm.  )Dobbs),  i.  78,  85 

,  James  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 

,  Charles  B.  (Craven),  biography  of, 

ii.  120 

,  Wm.  Biddle  (Pasquo.),  ii.  339 

Shepperd,  A.  H.  (Stokes),  sketch  of,  ii.  406 
Sherwood,  Thos.  (Bute),  i.  78 
Siamese  Twins  (Wilkes),  ii.  465 
Simmons,  Asahel,  (Currituck),  i,  81 
Simon,  Peter  (Capt.  '76),  i.  80 
Simpson,  Alexander  (Capt.,  duel  oO,  i- 53 
Singletary,  Richard  (Ens.  '76),  i.  80 
Sitgreaves,  John  (Newborn),  i.  80;  life  and 

services  of,  i.  119 
Slocurab,  Jesse  (Wayne),  ii.  460 

,  Mrs.  («■&.),  ii.  457 

,  Ezekiel  (ib.),  ii.  457 

Smith,  Benj.  (Brunswick),  life  and  services 
of,  ii.  49 

,  Wm.  (Chief  Justice,  1731),  i.  42 

,  Captain  John,  i.  27 

,  Thos.  (Gov'r.  1693),  i.  27,  32 

,  Saml.  Hyde  (Com,  '75),  i.  65,  74 

,  John  (Com.  '76),  i.  74 

,  Robt.  (Lt.  '75),  i.  71,  79,  80 

,  David  (Cumberland),  i.  78,  81 

,  Samuel  (Johnston),  i,  78,  81,  85 

,  John,  {ib.),  i.  81 

,  James  S.  (Orange,  Congress  in  1817), 

ii.  336 

,  James  (Rowan),  i.  81,  86 

Smithwick,  Samuel  (Martin),  i.  85 

,  Edmund  (lb.),  i.  65,  7S  - 

Sothell,  Seth  (Gov'r.  1683),  i.  31,  32 
Southerland,  Ransome  (Guilford),  i.  78,  79 
South  Carolina  Line,  i.  43 
Spruill,  Hez.  G.  (Tyrrell),  ii.  412 

,  George  {ib.),  i.  66 

,  Joseph  {ib.),  i.  81 

Spicer,  John  (Onslow),  i.  78,  85 


INDEX. 


479 


Spaight,  Richard  (Councillor,  1765),  i.  47 

,  R.  D.  (Craven),  life  and  character, 

ii.  Ill,  120 
Speight,  Jesse  (Greene),  ii.  16S 
Spencer,    Samuel    (Anson),   i.  64,  73,  77; 

sketch  of,  ii.  24 
Spottswood,  Alex.,  i.  36 
Stanway,  James  (Attorney-General,  1725), 

i.  40 
Starky,  Mr.  (Treasurer,  1757),  i.  46 

'—,  Edward  (Onslow),  i.  85,  86 

Stanley,  Edward  (Beaufort),  ii.  29 

,  John  (Craven),  ii.  112 

Steele,  Mrs.  Elizabeth,  patriotic  conduct  of, 
and  her  biography,  ii.  382 

,  Genl.  John,  Sketch  of,  ii.  382 

Sterrett,  James  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 
Stevens  (2d  Gov'r  of  N.  C,  1667),  i.  30 

,  John  (Johnston),  i.  81,  8.5 

Stokes,  Montford  (Wilkes),  ii.  462 

,  John  (/6.),  Judge,  ii.  403 

,  H.  M.  {ib.),  ii.  462 

Strange,  Robert  (Fayetteville),  sketch    of, 

ii.  130 
Stone,  Benj.  (Com.  '75),  i.  74 

,  Zedekiah  (Bertie),  i,  85;  ii.  32 

,  David,  ii.  32 

Stono,  battle  of,  ii.  189 
Suggs,  Geo.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 
Sumner,  James  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  Luke  (Chowan),  i.  73,  85 

,  David  (Halifax),  i.  74,  78,  81 

-,  Robert  (Hertford),  i.  78,  85 


,  Genl.  Jethro  (Warren),  i.  72,79 

Swain,  David  L.  (Buncombe),  ii.  53 
Swann,  John  (Councillor),  i.  47 
,  Saml.  (Maj.  '75),  i.  72 

Tarleton,  Col.  Bannister  (sketch  of  his  life 
and  character),  ii.  180 

Tate,  Jos.  (Lt.  '75),  i.  72 

Tatum,  Abr.  (Cong.  1795,  Randolph),  i.  71 

,  Howell  (Lt.  '75),  i.  71 

Taylor,  John  Louis  (Fayetteville),  sketch 
of  life  of,  ii.  129 

,  John  (Orange,  Lt.  '75),  i.  71 

,  Joseph  (Com.  '75),  i.  74 

,  Wm.  (Duplin),  i.  85 

,  Wm.  (Com.  '75),  i.  74,  79 

,  Philip  (Capt.  '76), i.  SO 

,  Jas.  F.  (Chatham),  ii.  85 

,  John  (Granville),  i.  78 

Teach,  Edwd.  (Pirate),  i.  39 

Teach'sHole,  i.  39 

Tennen,  Hugh  (Orange),  i.  81 

Thackston,  James  (Cumberland,  Lt.  Col. 
'76),  i.  72,  79 

Thomas,  Wm.  (Anson),  i.  64 

Thompson,  Wm.  (Carteret),  i.  58,  73,  78,  80 

,  John  (Chatham),  i.  74,  78 

,  Lawrence  (Lt.  '75),  i.  71. 

,  Jacob  (Caswell),  ii.  79 

Tilrnan,  John  (Craven),  i.  81 

Tilghman,  John  (Craven),  i.85 

Tisdale,  Wm.  (Com.  '75),  i.  73 

Toomer,  John  D.  (Cumberland),  ii.  86,  129 

Torrence,  Battle  at,  ii.  381 

Toole,  Henry  J.  (Edgecombe),   i.  71 

Treasurers  of  the  State  ofN.  C,  i.  107,  108 


Tripp,  Robt.  (Beaufort),  i.  85 

Tryon,  Wm.  (Lt.  Gov.  1765),  i,  48  ;  rGov. 
1765),  i.  49,  52,  53 

Turner,  Benijah  (Lt.  '76),i.80 

,  Berryman,  (Ensign  '75),  i.  71 

,  Jacob  (Capt.  '76),  i.  79 

,  Robt.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  James  (Warren),  Gov.  in  1802,  Sen- 
ator in  Congress,  &c.,  Sketch  of, 
ii.  430 

,  Daniel  (Warren),  sketch  of,  ii.  439 

Tuscarora  Indians,  i.  38 

Uniied  Brethren  (Stokes),  i.  44 
University  of  N.  C.  (its  graduates  from  1798 
to  1851),  i.  119 

Vail,  Edward  (Col.  '75),  i.  72,  79 
Venable,  A.  W.  (Granville),  ii.  165 
Vipon,  Henry  (Ensign  '75),  i.  72 

Wade,  Thos.  (Anson),  i.  72,  85 
Waddell,  John,  i.  51 

,  Hugh  (Rowan),  i.  46 

Walker,  Henderson  (Gov.),  i.  33,  34 

,  John  (Capt. '75),  i.  71,  80 

,  Sol.  (Ensign  '76),  i.  80 

Walton,  Jesse  (Surry),  i.  81 

Washington  and  Caswell  compared,  i.  90 

,  Geo.  (Va.  first  appt.),  i.  45 

,  Robt.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  Wm.    H.    (Craven),  sketch  of 

life,  ii.  121 
Ward,  Wm.  (Capt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  Benjn.  (Bute),  i.  85 

,  Anthony  (New  Ham.),  i.  81 

Warren,  Jos.,  sketch    of    life  and   heroic 

death,  ii.  429;  (county  called  in 

honor  of),  ii.  429 
Wayne,  Genl.  Anthony,  life  and  character 

of,  ii.  454 
Wheeler,  John  (Hertford),  ii.  209 

,  John  Jr.  (ib.),  ii.  209 

,  John  H.  (i7).),  ii.  210 

Whidbee,  J.  (Perquimans),  i.  65 
Webb,  John  (Com.  '75),  i.  74,  79 

,  Isham  (Tyrrell),  i.  86 

Weldon,  Danl.,  i.  44 

,  Saml.  (Halifax),  i.  81,85 

White,  John  (Gov.  1587),  i.  25 

,  Thomas  (Lt.  1776),  i.  80 

,  John   (Capt.  '76),  i.  71  ;  (Maj.  '76), 

i.  79 

,  James  (Currituck),  178 

,  Hugh   L.  (Iredell),   sketch   of  life, 

character,  and  services,  ii.  215 
Whitechurst,  Thos.  (killed  in  duel),  i.  53 
Whitaker,  Spear  (Halifax),  ii.  202 
Whitley,  John  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 
Wiggins,  Thomas  (Martin),  i.  78, 
Wilder,  Gaston  H.  (Wake),  sketch  of,   ii. 

418 
Wilfong,  George  (Rowan),  i.  81. 
Williams,  Daniel  (Lt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  Benjamin  (Cong.  1775),  i. 

,  John  (Lt.  '75),  i.  72 

,  Benjamin  (Lt.  '75),  i.  72 

,  Brice  (Carteret),  i.  85 

,  John  (Lt.  Col.),  i.  72 


73 


480 


INDEX. 


Williams,  William  (Adjutant  '75),  i.  71 

,  John,  Pugh  (Capt.  '76),  i.  80 

,  Marmaduke  (Caswell),  ii.  79 

,  Hoilowell  (Currituck;,  i.  81,  85 

,  Thomas  (ib.) ,  i.  85 

,  Benjamin  (Johnston),  i.  65 

,  John  (Granville),  i.  58  ;  ii.  163 

,  Joseph  John  (Halifax,  i.  78,82 

,  William  (Martin),  i.  78,  85 

,  Benjamin  (Moore),  sketch  of,  ii. 

272 

,  Dr.  Robert  (ib.),  ii.  346 

,  Joseph  (Surry),  ii.  409 

,  Thomas  {ib.),  ii.  409 

,  Gen.  Robert  (ib.),  ii.  409 

,  Lewis,  John  {ib.),  ii.  409 

-,  Thomas  Lanier  {ib.),  ii.  409 


Williamsonj  Hugh  (Chowan),  life,  character, 

and  services,  ii.  91 
,  J.  G.  A.  (Person),  ii.  343 


Winston,  Joseph  (Surry),  i.  81  ;  ii.  14S,  404 
Wilson,  Louis  D.  (Edgecombe),  ii.  144 

— ^ ,  Joseph  (Mecklenburg),  ii.  266 

,  Zaccheus  {ib.),  i.  85 

Winslow,  Moses  (Rowan),  i.  66 
Wooten,  Shad.  (Ensign  '76),  i.  80 
Wood,  Matt.  (Lt.  '76),  i.  SO 
Woodhouse,  John  (Ensign  '75),  i.  72 
Wright,  James  (Hertford),  i.  85 
,  Joshua  G.  (New  Hanover),  sketch 

of,  ii.  293 
Wynns,  Thomas  (Hertford),  sketch  of,  li. 

209 

Yancey,  Bartlett  (Caswell),  ii.  79 

,  Thorton  (Granville),  i.  85 

Yellow  Jacket  (Compiled,  1752),  i.  44 
Young,  Samuel  (Rowan),  i.  66 
,  Henry  (New  Hanover),  i.  81 


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